[GROCERY LIST] Include These 8 Foods For A Stronger Immune System
…these 8 foods provide essential nutrients your body needs to give your immune system a much needed boost.
By Kevin DiDonato MS, CES—Level 1 Certified Precision Nutrition and Certified Personal Trainer
With everything going on in the world today, things have changed.
What we know about healthcare—has all changed. What we know about keeping our bodies healthy—has all changed.
Nothing is ever going to be the same when this whole thing is over. But even though this situation is dire (they are estimating between 100,000 and 200,000 people will die from this virus), there are some good things that are coming from it.
People are starting to take notice. They are doing things to protect their bodies and boost their immune system.
And that is great news…
The stronger your immune system is, the more impervious you may be to future illnesses. No, it’s not a bulletproof vest for your health…
But a stronger immune system may help you battle viruses and bacteria that could make you very sick.
The Need For A Stronger Immune System
If there is anything you can learn from this virus, it is that people with a compromised immune system are at risk for death or getting very sick.
And this is scary stuff. That’s why it’s crucial to strengthen your immune system to fight off these nasty viruses.
Of course, not everything is going to work. People who are going through chemo may have a harder time protecting their immune system (without being injected with immune-boosting medicines).
And this could leave them susceptible to getting sick easier than others.
(Remember, during this time, it’s important to “socially distance” yourself—to protect those around us who may have a harder time fighting off viruses and bacteria.)
Your immune system does a good job of protecting you from viruses that could cause everything from the common cold to this nasty Coronavirus.
And to get a stronger immune system, you need to do the following:
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Exercise for at least 30 minutes each day
- Get enough sleep
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Wash your hands and don’t touch your face, nose, or mouth (virus transmission)
- Keep a healthy weight
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Don’t smoke (or quit if you’re smoking now)
- Avoid excessive alcohol
But the most important thing you can do for your immune system is to eat the right diet.
This could provide your body with all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and boost your immune system.
But:
Not all foods are created equal. Some are stronger than others—and really pack a powerful punch when it comes to improving your immune system.
For example, foods called superfoods contain a higher dose of essential vitamins and minerals that your immune system needs to stay strong and active.
You can get a list of some of the most powerful superfoods here.
So what foods do you need to boost your immune system?
The Top 8 Foods You Should Eat To Boost Your Immune System
There are a lot of foods you should be eating to strengthen and boost your immunity. But some may be stronger than others.
Here is a list of the top 8 foods you should be eating each day to give your immune system a boost and to protect your health:
1. Protein
Think protein is just for building muscle, controlling your appetite, or boosting your metabolism?
Think again. Protein is essential to boosting your immune system. Specialized cells in your immune system (antibodies and immune system cells) rely heavily on protein from your diet.
A diet low in protein may cause weakness, fatigue, and cracks in your immune system. Choose lean sources of protein such as fish, whey protein powders, chicken, or even lean cuts of red meat.
2. Black Tea
Normally, green tea would be on the list. However, today we are going to focus on black tea—and all its wonderful goodness.
Black tea contains natural polyphenols, catechins, and alkaloids which protect the leaves from fungus and viruses.
So it would be natural to assume that black tea could also boost your immune system. And it can.
Black tea contains theobromine and theophylline which have been shown to prevent things like herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and influenza.
3. Yogurt
Besides being a great source of protein, yogurt also contains powerful live organisms called probiotics.
These nutrients may give your immune system a boost, therefore protecting you from viruses and pathogenic bacteria.
Recent studies show that probiotics--which help strengthen your gut bacterial population--could lessen the severity of respiratory tract infections, illnesses that cause diarrhea, and even the HIV-1 virus.
If you’re looking to include yogurt in your diet, be sure the label states live organisms and is low in sugar, as this may destroy the probiotics in your yogurt.
4. Shiitake Mushrooms
Mushrooms have been used for centuries as a way to boost, not only immunity, but also vitality.
Shiitake mushrooms contain beta glucans, which are powerful immune-boosting nutrients. Not only do beta glucans improve your immunity, studies show that these powerful nutrients may prevent viral replication—an important step in preventing the spread of viruses.
5. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is not just for diabetics anymore. Studies show that this popular blood sugar-lowering spice may also boost your immunity.
Powerful compounds found in cinnamon, most notably cinnamaldehyde, may boost your immune system, therefore making it easier to fight off infections.
Some studies suggest cinnamon may prevent listeria and could even stop the growth of influenza.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has plenty of health benefits.
There have been numerous studies that show ACV may have anti-microbial effects, meaning it stops microbes from invading your body.
It could be due to a combination of the natural nutrients found in apples (vitamins and minerals) and the presence of probiotics that occur as a result of the fermentation process.
7. Ginger
A popular cooking spice, ginger may have plenty of powerful health benefits.
But did you know it’s been used to treat the common cold or flus for thousands of years? It has.
Due to the powerful gingerols, this spice may stop lower respiratory tract infections before they can attach to your cells and become a problem.
Ginger also contains plenty of other compounds to stimulate your immune system to protect you from dangerous viruses.
8. Garlic
Another powerful cooking herb, that possesses both antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, is garlic.
It’s not just for warding off vampires anymore.
The main driving force, called allicin, could fight off viruses such as influenza, herpes simplex complex, viral pneumonia, and rhinoviruses.
Conclusion
If you want to keep healthy and prevent sickness that could put you out of commissions for days, if not weeks or months, then you need to find ways to boost your immune system.
Your immune system, made up of specialized cells that attack and destroy harmful pathogens, viruses, and bacteria, is your first line of defense from things that could make you sick.
With a weakened immune system, you may find yourself getting sick easier, and you may not recover fast enough.
One of the best ways to boost your immune system is to include foods that contain powerful nutrients that aid in strengthening and bolstering your immune system.
The 8 foods from above all contain powerful nutrients that have been shown to boost your immune system and fight off viruses and bacteria that could make you sick.
If you want to give your immune system a boost, then including one—or all—of the foods from this list could give you everything your body needs to stay healthy all year long.
References:
1. Yana F, Polk DB. Probiotics and immune health. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2011 Oct;27(6):496-501.
2. Roth-Walker F, Moskovskich A, Gomez-Casado C, Diaz-Perales A, Oida K, Singer J, Kinaclyan T, Fuchs HC, Jarolim EJ. Immune Suppressive Effects of Cinnamaldehyde Due To Inhibition of Proliferation and Induction of Apoptosis in Immune Cells: Implications in Cancer. PLoS One. 2014;9(10):e108402.
3. Arreola R, Quintero-Fabian S, Lopez-Roa RI, Flores-Gutierrez EO, Reyes-Grajeda JP, Carrera-Quintanar L, Ortuno-Sahagun D. Immunomodulation and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Garlic Compounds. J Immunol Res. 2015; 2015: 401630.
4. Mahassni SH, Bukhari OA. Beneficial effects of an aqueous ginger extract on the immune system cells and antibodies, hematology, and thyroid hormones in male smokers and non-smokers. 2019 Mar;15:10-17.
About Jayson Hunter & Jaylab Pro
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