A cheesy pizza and scrumptious, perfectly grilled burgers may stimulate your taste buds; however, they are nothing but toxic for your body and the immune system.
It is an indisputable fact that proper hygiene and regular rest leads to a better immune system, but eating healthy is also a prerequisite for enhanced immunity.
Thus, take a look at the best five foods that help your immune system; you will be surprised by what you find:
1. Citrus Fruits
We know that Vitamin C helps build the immune system; thus why, people turn towards it when they catch a cold. However, instead of resorting to vitamin tablets and medicines, why not just eat your fill of citrus fruits.
Oranges, lemons, grapefruits, tangerines, even lime, and clementines are fruits that give your daily dose of Vitamin C without any additives involved. Moreover, with such a variety, you can add it to any meal.
Related reading: Benefits of Drinking Natural Lemon Juice Daily
2. Red Bell Pepper
You may think citrus fruits are the only abundant source of Vitamin C that you can consume; well think again. Red bell peppers contain twice as much of Vitamin C, plus heaps of beta-carotene. Together they not only improve the immune system but also help in maintaining healthy, younger-looking skin. Beta-carotene is also known to improve your eyesight.
3. Turmeric
Turmeric is a well-known spice used to add flavor to a lot of recipes. However, it also has many other uses that most people are unaware of; turmeric is an actively used anti-inflammatory agent used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Not only that but the curcumin that gives the turmeric its color, also helps decrease exercise-induced muscle damage within the body.
4. Kiwi
Abundant in natural minerals and vitamins, Kiwi is another organic source for immunity boosters. It is rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate and minerals like potassium. While Vitamin C is helping your white blood cells fight infections, the other nutrients help the rest of your body to maintain proper function.
5. Garlic
Garlic is an infamous vegetable used to add a little zing to your meals. However, what you don’t know are the hidden benefits it can bring.
Just one clove of garlic contains over a thousand sulfur compounds that not only boost your immunity but also helps lower blood cholesterol concentration and the hardening of arteries. This vegetable, known for its foul after-taste and bad-breath syndrome, is a natural blood thinner that reduces your chances of getting atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, cancer, and inflammation.
People eating cloves of garlic a day tend to have a stronger, healthier immune system, than those who don’t. So, decide what’s more important; a little bad breath that easily curable or a life free of any conditions and ailments?
Conclusion
There are some juicy, mouth-watering recipes that you can make from these odd foods to better your immune system. If you need inspiration, then go online and browse through Home Chef that has millions of healthy, tasty recipes for you to try, as well as the ingredients you need. You can even use coupons to have them delivered if you are a little tight on budget.
Author Bio: Haziqa Ishtiaqis a content writer for PennySaviour – a coupons provider website for many of the top brands of the world – with an interest in Genetic Counseling and literature.