Here are a few foods you can enjoy to improve your immunity and keep you healthy!
Hot Soups
A bowl of hot chicken broth is good for hydration and a good source of protein and starch. Moreover, the flavourful notes of garlic, onions, and ginger make it a delightful meal.
Hot soups help in getting rid of bacteria and viruses from your system while the spices have an anti-inflammatory effect against colds and even help suppress coughing, pain, and fever and act as a mild sedative too.
Tea
A good old cup of some black tea can actually help build your immunity. Regardless of color, black or green, tea packs a big punch of polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidants that destroy free radicals that can damage healthy cells and even cause premature aging.
Yogurt
Probiotics, the good bacteria present in certain yogurt can actually help boost your immune function. It does so by stimulating your immune response to fighting diseases and promoting beneficial bacteria growth in the gut.
Just one cup of yogurt with some chopped fruits can lower the risk of diabetes by almost 25% and is a healthier option.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are rich in B vitamins and antioxidants. The B vitamins play a part in healthy immune functions while selenium has been linked to a decreased risk of severe infections. Mushrooms are also a good source of proteins as they contain all 17 essential amino acids needed by the body.
Green Leafy Vegetables
Leafy greens like cabbage, spinach, and broccoli are good sources of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as folate, antioxidants, and fiber. These vitamins also have an antioxidant action that helps in cell function and integrity as well as development.
Dry Fruits and Nuts
Dry fruits like walnuts, almonds, and dates provide the essential vitamins and minerals for building immunity. They contain vitamin E, niacin, and riboflavin. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps keep cells healthy. Consuming nuts may help you adapt and react to stress better.
All Meat Products
Meat, whether it’s pork, beef, chicken, fish, or seafood, all have protein, a nutrient our bodies need to build and repair their tissues. It’s also a vital component of our cells, including our white blood cells, the agent responsible for fighting infections. Aim for at least 1-2 servings a day to achieve immune-boosting action.
Indian Spices
Include more immunity-boosting spices in your food like turmeric, mustard, asafoetida (hing), coriander, turmeric, fenugreek (methi), cloves, pepper, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, and curry leaves. They help in digestion and to flush out any sinuses from the body.
What you choose to eat has profound effects on your overall health!