Foods to support your immune system
Foods to support your immune system
While eating a healthy, balanced diet with a good variety and colour of foods is ideal for keeping us well, there are some foods with particular immune supporting properties. As well as the listed benefits, the foods below are high in vitamins and minerals needed for staying healthy over the winter months.
Add the following foods into your diet during the winter months to gain the benefits, and increase your intake when you feel a cold coming on. For more ways to support your immune system. Continue reading here.
Root Ginger
Ginger is antimicrobial, anti-fungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory.
Add a chunk to smoothies, soups, and stews, or simply have it in a mug with warm water with a squeeze of lemon.
Garlic
Garlic is antibiotic, anti- viral, and an expectorant, making it effective for use as a preventative and as a treatment against cold and flu viruses.
Chop or crush your fresh garlic to activate the enzymes that hold the benefits, before adding to your meals.
Tumeric
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-viral properties, and is a good spice to include in your diet as both a preventative and treatment against viruses.
Add it to curries, soups, or as a turmeric latte with warm milk and a tsp of honey. For best absorption of turmeric, make sure to have it with a little fat and black pepper.
Protein
Our bodies require protein to make immune cells which fight off infections, and protein deficiency has been found to increase our susceptibility to infection. Protein is also needed for repair and recovery, which is essential after illness.
To ensure you’re eating adequate protein, aim for a palm size serving with every meal. Protein powders can be used in porridge, smoothies, soups or stews.