Five foods to boost your immune system
Eat well to feel well with these immune boosting foods and maintain your immune health armoury
Never has it been more important to stay healthy and think carefully about what we are eating. As health services struggle to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, eating well is an effective and easy way to prevent yourself from becoming ill.
Peppers
Packed with twice the vitamin C content of oranges, both red and green peppers are vital for maintaining a healthy immune system and are particularly beneficial during and after intensive physical activity. Peppers play a role in reducing your risk of cancer and heart disease when they're a regular part of your diet.
Garlic
In addition to warding off the vampires garlic has great health benefits. It contains the active ingredient allicin, which fights infection and bacteria and reduces the likelihood of catching a cold. The sulfur in garlic helps your body absorb the trace element zinc, which is an immunity booster.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are immune powerhouses and are high in selenium and B vitamins like riboflavin and niacin. These minerals and vitamins are necessary for the immune system to work in tip top form. They can also strengthen your immune system when it’s too weak and regulate it when it’s too active
Broccoli
One of the original super foods, broccoli is bursting with nutrients that are good for your gut including fibre, vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin A3. Eating it raw is even more nutritious and don’t forgot the stalk contains lots of green goodness.
Yoghurt
Yoghurt contains ‘active’ or ‘live cultures’ which help your immune system fight against bad bacteria in the gut. They also contain vitamin D which helps regulate the immune system and is thought to boost our body’s natural defences against diseases.
