Healthy Foods That Boost The Immune System

One of the easiest ways to boost your immune system is to incorporate some of these healthy foods and drinks into your daily diet.

Water:

Of course water is at the top of the list. Water is essential to helping your entire body function properly. Here's a little trick I use to help me drink more water. Try ordering water first when you go to a restaurant. If you drink a full glass of water then order another drink you may want. For those that really don't like the taste of water, try different brands, or try the flavored water. Start back carrying that water bottle everywhere you go to boost your immune system.

Garlic:

Although it doesn't do much for your breath, garlic has antifungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It also has sulfur-containing compounds that help the body make other immune stimulating compounds.

Yogurt:

Cultured or fermented foods like yogurt provides the body with "good" bacteria that help fight off "bad" bacteria. Yogurt comes in many flavors, brands and textures. They even have drinkable and squeezable yogurt for the kids. Try a few different types until your find the ones you like the most and just add them to your weekly shopping list.

Tuna and Brazil Nuts:

These healthy foods contain selenium which minimizes the formation of free radicals.

Meats:

Surprise! Research shows that beef contains zinc which helps develop white blood cells which fight off foreign bacteria and viruses. Other foods that contain zinc include crab, oysters, shrimp, chicken breast, turkey. Seafoods such as cod, mackerel, salmon and shrimp also contain Vitamin E which is essential to maintain a normal metabolism and healthy immune system.

Mushrooms:

Mushrooms also help in the production of white blood cells in the body. Try a few shiitake or maitake mushrooms in your next burger!

Colorful Fruits and Vegetables:

Carrots, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, dark lettuce, pumpkin, brussel sprouts, apples, pears, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, mango, papaya, apricots, cantaloupe, spinach, sweet potatoes, turnips. Take your pick!

These healthy foods are a great sources of beta carotene which turns into Vitamin A. Beta carotene increases the number of several types of immune cells and also makes them stronger. Vitamin A has been shown to dramatically reduce infections.

Other fruits such as banana, cantaloupe, dates, figs, raisins, watermelon are also good for the immune system because they contain Vitamin B6 which is an antioxidant.

Many colorful fruit and vegetables also contain vitamin C which is one of the most effective antioxidants available in food supply. These foods include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, peas, potatoes, sauerkraut, kale, green pepper, winter squash, grapefruit, strawberries, papaya, red peppers, kiwi fruit, guavas, oranges, tomatoes and sweet potato. Vitamin C prevents the oxidation of fats that lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Whole Grains/Vegetables/Nuts:

These types of healthy foods contain vitamin E which is essential to maintaining a normal metabolism and healthy immune system and Vitamin B6 which is an antoxidant. These foods include brown rice, wheat bread, wild rice, asparagus, beets, kidney beans, pinto beans, lima beans, spinach, sweet potato, turnip, avocado, almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, olive oil, corn oil.

Soy Products:

Soy products such as tofu, soy sauce and miso are very beneficial to the immune system. Soy inhibits breast cancer by decreasing the level of circulating estrogen. One serving a day can decrease the risk of developing a number of cancers by nearly 40%. The National Academy of Sciences reported that soy products contain a substance called genistein that blocks the flow of blood to tumors thus starving them from the essentials of life. Soy also has cholesterol lowering effects.

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