8 Foods that Boost your Immune System

These are unprecedented times we're living in, and now more than ever we need to be looking at Mother Nature to protect us.  What should we be putting into our bodies to help boost our immune systems?

Water

  • OK, so it's not a food but you'll excuse us for that because this one is the MOST important one on the list.  

Citrus Fruits

  • Did you know that your body can't store or product Vitamin C? You have to consume daily vitamin C for continued strong health.  Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C and with such a range to choose from it's easy to fit it into your daily diet.

Garlic

  • Early civilisations used Garlic to help fight infections and there's plenty we can learn from them even in today's world.  Garlic may even lower blood pressure and slow down the hardening of the arteries (important for this current pandemic).  

Ginger

  • It's one of those things that we've always turned to when we're feeling sick.  I remember ginger beers being a popular one for morning sickness.  Ginger is thought to decrease inflammation such as sore throats as well as help with nausea.  Ginger may even possess cholesterol-lowering properties! 

Spinach

  • Rich in vitamin C, Spinach is also packed with numerous antioxidants and beta carotene, which may increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems. Spinach is healthiest when it’s cooked as little as possible, simply gently wilt it if you want to have it warm so you retain as much of the goodness as possible.

Green Tea

  • All tea's are filled with antioxidants however green tea is STUFFED with EGCG which is an extremely powerful antioxidant.  It's been shown to enhance immune function.  The process black tea goes through can destroy a lot of this nutrient where as green tea is steamed not fermented so it's mainly preserved.  

Kiwi's

  • Kiwi's are naturally full of folates, potassium, vitamin K and vitamin C.  As we know Vitamin C boosts your white blood cell count to fight infection while all the other nutrients keep the rest of your body functioning as it should be.

Elderberries

  • A traditional recipe for boosting the immune system, from elderberry cordial to elderberries in a pie - this has been a trusted ingredient for years.  However it's not just an old wives tale, scientific studies show that an extract from elderberries can actually block flu viruses! 

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