People try to protect their immune systems, especially during cold and flu season, in order not to get sick. Aside from washing your hands, it’s essential also to pay attention to your diet. Foods are full of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and other nutrients that can help your body fight bacteria or viruses.
Avoid Getting Sick
To decrease the chances of getting a cold or catching the flu, people may look into altering their diets or adding some immune-boosting foods to their everyday diet. Here are some foods to consider:
Blueberries
Blueberries have pterostilbene, which helps the CAMP gene function. It works to fight bacterial infections, but it needs vitamin D to work. That’s why it’s crucial to ensure you are getting enough from sunlight, food, or supplements. Blueberries can be eaten whole, added as toppings, or used as an ingredient in various recipes.
Turmeric
This spice has been known to treat infections. A chemical called curcumin is found in the seasoning, and it gets into the cell membranes to improve their ability to fight the infectious microbes that can get people sick. Tumeric can be used as a spice for seasoning vegetables, and it can also be beneficial by adding a spoonful to your smoothies or morning tea.
Garlic
While it can cause bad breath, it’s also an herb that actively fights diseases. It aids your body in the process of producing cytokines, which are cells that are released by immune systems to fight the bugs. Adding a few cloves into meat or vegetable dishes can be enough to get the process going. If you’re not opposed to it, you can also just pop a garlic clove into your mouth and eat it raw.
Spinach
Spinach is full of antioxidants, vitamins E and C, and other nutrients that aid the immune system in fighting infections. Blending it into smoothies or juices is the ideal way to activate its benefits, according to experts. Studies have shown that chopping up the spinach leaves into small pieces can release a large amount of lutein, which is an antioxidant that aids in reducing inflammation.
Oysters
To some, oysters are delicious whereas to others they’re less than appealing due to their slimy texture. If you’re a fan of oysters, though, there’s no reason not to eat them. They’re rich in zinc, which is a mineral that can help white blood cells reproduce faster and, in turn, easily fight off colds and/or the flu.