Foods that boost your immune system contain a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. A healthy diet can help prevent or decrease the duration of some illnesses.
The following five natural and whole foods can help boost your immune system.
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1. Citrus is full of vitamin C, which plays a major role in white blood cell production to help fight off infections and
boost your immune system, says Healthline. Vitamin C is not produced or stored in the human body so daily consumption is vital for immune health. Sources of citrus include oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, and tangerines.
The Cleveland Clinic points out that Vitamin C can also be found in leafy green vegetables, bell peppers, strawberries, brussel sprouts, and papaya.
2. Ginger may provide immune-protective properties,
says LiveStrong, and can help boost your immune system. When the immune system becomes overactive and out of balance, ginger can help normalize immune function.
Ginger can be used to help decrease the duration of a cold or stop a cold before it develops, according to Healthline.
3. Garlic is often an ingredient of choice in food around the world. Garlic contains large amounts of a sulfur-containing compound that boosts the immune system, says Healthline. Garlic also has been used to fight off infections.
WebMD calls garlic an "immune-boosting superstar" that has been used for thousands of years to treat many ailments.
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4. Broccoli comes packed with immune-boosting vitamins (A, C, and E), a variety of antioxidants, and minerals. Experts recommend eating it raw or cooked very lightly to preserve the powerful vitamins and minerals that can boost your immune system. Broccoli also contains selenium. This mineral, says Cleveland Clinic, has a “powerful effect on the immune system.”
5. Yogurt that contains live and active cultures has the potential to stimulate and
boost your immune system, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. In various studies, the therapeutic effects of lactic acid bacteria in yogurt on cancer, GI diseases, infections, and asthma all show potential immune system-boosting properties of yogurt.
Yogurt also contains zinc, says the Cleveland Clinic, so it has powerful immune-boosting and protective properties.
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