WHAT TO EAT TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM ?

Wouldn’t it be nice if eating a particular food could magically protect you against all the diseases buzzing around you ? (Even better, if the food falls into your prior category  of eating meals, and what if the magical food happen to be a chocolate?) 

It’s not that simple, of course. Hand wash remains your best defense against picking up all the viruses, and sleep is a crucial part and plays a vital role in strong defense too.

What are immunity boosters ?

So, naturally, immunity boosters are foods, fruits, vegetables, or even artificially designed supplements that help us increase this ability to fight against illnesses.

All the parts of our body that help us fight against diseases and help improve our immunity are collectively named as the immune system. Our immune system has the ability to detect harmful bacteria and viruses that enter our body – these cells, also known as antigens, attack them by producing ‘antibodies.’

White blood cells, otherwise known as WBCs, are the supreme warriors of the immune army. Different kinds of WBCs fight together against any foreign element that harms our body; these include –

• B-cells
• T-cells
• helper T-cells
• killer T-cells
• memory cells.

Here are some eating habits that can help you stay healthy:

Eat fruits & vegetables every day: Produce contains key vitamins involved in the immune system. Vitamin C in foods like strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, and citrus, helps immune system cells function, including phagocytes (the kind that engulfs potentially harmful particles). Vitamin A helps keep tissues in the mouth, intestines, and respiratory tract healthy and is found in sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots, and cantaloupe. Remember that eating the actual fruit or veggie is better than popping single-vitamin supplements since it’s likely that all the components in the food interact to offer protection.

Get plenty of protein: Getting too little protein can weaken your immune system. Protein-rich foods supply the amino acids you need to build essential proteins in the body, including antibodies. Animal foods like beef and pork also contain zinc, a mineral that your body uses to make t-cells (you can find zinc in cashews and chickpeas too).

Include fermented foods: These are foods that are naturally preserved by bacteria, and they’re good for the “microbiome”. That’s the name for the trillions of bacteria that live in your gut, where a lot of cells involved in immunity actually reside. Fermented foods like yogurt (look for the term “live and active cultures” on the label), kefir, sauerkraut, miso, and kimchi help beneficial bacteria flourish in the gut, leaving less room for harmful bugs.

Season your meals: Every plant food has its own unique compounds that offer potential health-boosting benefits. Spices and seasonings like garlic, ginger, oregano, and cinnamon have all been researched for intriguing capabilities as anti-microbials, anti-inflammatories, and cell-protecting antioxidants. They’re not magic cure-alls, and popping them in the form of pills isn’t the same as eating the real deal. But adding flavor to foods with these ingredients means you’re getting even more beneficial compounds in the meals you eat every day.

 
yay Chocolates 

The last food on our list may seem a bit of a surprise but believe it or not, chocolate can actually be good for the immune system. Chocolate contains cocoa which is an immune boosting food and eating chocolate (or cocoa) that is low in fat and sugar can help increase the good cholesterol in your body.

           You start treating your body right and your immune system is better.