Did you know we all have a personal bodyguard for our health? It’s our immune system. It safeguards our body from various diseases and maintains its proper functioning. But when the seasons change, our immunity takes a hit. We become more susceptible to infections, colds, flu, and other diseases.
One way to protect and strengthen your immunity is by consuming certain foods.
Here are a few immunity-boosting foods you should add to your diet right away.
Add a dash of citrus
Have a glass of lemonade, add an orange or a kiwi to your lunch, or squeeze some lime juice to your curry. As refreshing as it sounds, citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, kiwis, and limes are excellent immune system boosting food. They are a rich source of Vitamin C that strengthens the immune system. These fruits that boost the immune system also help in the adequate production of white blood cells that fight and protect our bodies from infections.
Ginger and Garlic
They not only enhance the taste of our dishes but also contain immunity-boosting properties. Garlic has antiviral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. Ginger has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. To start off, replace the packaged ginger-garlic paste that you add to your dishes with a home-made paste of raw ginger and garlic. Add some ginger to your tea and rub a few cloves of garlic on your brown bread.
Vegetables to the rescue
Spinach and broccoli are rich sources of Vitamin C and E, known to support the immune system. Spinach contains beta-carotene, which helps increase the immune system’s ability to fight infections. It also contains flavonoids that are known to prevent the common cold. Broccoli is packed with antioxidants that boost the fighting ability of our immune system. Red bell peppers are also a great source of Vitamin C. You can stir-fry these vegetables to make a healthy side dish.
Turmeric
Known for its rich colour and enticing aroma, turmeric is one of the most loved spices in India. We Indians love to add a dash of turmeric to our food. Apart from being a culinary favourite, it also has various medicinal properties. For ages, we have heard our elders tell us to have a glass of turmeric milk before bed. This is because turmeric has a compound called curcumin that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Yogurt
Greek yoghurt, fat-free yoghurt, fruit-flavoured yoghurt, and other variants of yoghurt are flooding the market today. Yoghurt is a good probiotic. Probiotics are nothing but the ‘good bacteria’ in our digestive system that keep our gut healthy by fighting the ‘bad bacteria’. Replace your glass of flavoured soda or canned juice with a serving of yoghurt after your meal. You will soon notice the healthy changes that your body is experiencing.
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolates are a rich source of theobromine that boosts the functioning of the immune system by protecting the body cells from free radicals. Free radicals are produced when food is broken down or when our bodies come in contact with pollutants. Free radicals are known to damage the body’s cells, which might cause certain diseases. But remember, since dark chocolate is high in calories, it needs to be consumed in moderate amounts.
Immunity Boosting Supplements
While you add these food items to your diet, also consider immunity supplements like Nutriplus ImmunHealth. It contains clinically proven ingredients and essential micronutrients like papaya leaf, aloe vera and guduchi satwa, along with zinc, magnesium and copper that act as building blocks for DNA synthesis. As one of the more popular immune system supplements, it helps balance immune over-reactions and strengthens the body’s natural defence against pathogens. Adults can take one to two capsules a day with meals, making it an easy addition to a daily wellness routine. Like any health supplement, it works best alongside a balanced diet rather than as a substitute for one.
Unlike harsh chemical-based formulas, this is an Ayurveda-backed health supplement that works gently with your body’s own defence mechanisms over time. Many people turn to immunity supplements during the change of seasons, when the body is more prone to colds and infections, and this is designed to support exactly that need. Regular use of immune system supplements such as this one may also help reduce fatigue and support quicker recovery after minor illnesses. As with any health supplement, consistency matters more than dosage, so it works best as part of a daily routine rather than an occasional fix.
Apart from building a good eating regime, practise healthy habits like exercising regularly and getting adequate sleep to build a robust immune system.
