Posted on by Cleverona Kitchen

The Best Foods To Help Fight Off Infection

This year brings too much tension when it comes to health. There are a plethora of ways on how you can maintain a healthier body, thanks to the nutrients you get from the foods you eat. Never underestimate the wonders that foods provide, one of which is they help boost your immune system to help fight off infections. Most of them are packed with vitamins and minerals that assist in the normal functioning of the immune system and serves as an antioxidant to remove free radicals from damaging the cells.

Pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other harmful organisms lurking everywhere, as well as carcinogens attacking your body, you name it, the immune system functions to eliminate them with the help of some of the superfoods easily available.

Keep your family and yourself healthy with the best foods to help fight off infection.

 

Fatty Fish

You better include fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines in your weekly menu because of their precious omega-3 fatty acids. They increase your macrophages (white blood cells) activities by swamping the bacteria and reduce inflammation in your body.

 

Shellfish

Your favorite mussels, clams, crabs, and lobsters are packed with zinc that helps immune cells function effectively, therefore boost your immune system.

shellfish

Chicken Soup

A huge reason why chicken soup, blended with amazing herbs and veggies, and cooked in a nonstick saucepan is given when you’re feeling sick is it turns out to be a natural remedy to ease your colds, soothe congestion, aid in gut healing, and generally helps with immunity. Plus, it is rich in vitamin B6 which plays a role in forming new, healthy red blood cells for proper blood and nutrient circulation and removal of wastes.

 

Oranges

You can easily get a daily dose of vitamin C with juicy oranges, a refreshing glass of orange juice, and delicious citrus recipes. This consumption alone can ease your colds and congestion, fights off viruses, reduce inflammation, increase the production of white blood cells, and strengthen your immune system over time.

 

Lemons

What better way to boost your immunity than this sour-tasting citrus fruit that makes for a refreshing cold drink stored in an airtight pitcher, a hot tea, or a zing to your cooked veggies and salmon. It is high in vitamin C to shield you from infection, bioflavonoids which are antioxidant fighting off cancer-causing free radicals in your body has antibacterial and antifungal properties as well to keep you on healthy top shape.

citrus drink

Papaya

If you want another fruit that’s loaded with vitamin C, papain (digestive enzyme), B-complex, potassium, and folate, all beneficial to boost your immunity and anti-inflammatory effects.

 

Cranberries

Your vitamin C natural antioxidant cranberries help you from contracting urinary tract infection, lowers risk for heart disease, and most importantly, assist your immune system to properly function.

 

Garlic

Garlic has been an ingredient to your many dishes. The reasons being, they add flavor to them, and they’re packed with a whole lot of properties beneficial to make us healthier human beings. They turn up your immune system natural killer cells and T-helper cells, they fight off bacterial and fungal infections, they ward off colds, help protect you from heart disease, high blood pressure, and digestive system-related cancers.

garlic

Ginger

Usually included in some recipes, juice, and hot tea, the many uses and benefits of ginger make it a great candidate in helping fight off infection. Its natural properties such as capsaicin and beta-carotene fend off colds, sore throat, and nausea, it kills bacteria, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory as well.

 

Bell Peppers

Another green that’s rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene to boost your immunity, and may maintain healthy skin are red and green bell peppers. Don’t forget to add chunks of them on your pizza, casseroles, and soups.

bell peppers

Broccoli

Remember to let every family member to eat broccoli. It is amplified with vitamins A, C, E, fiber, and antioxidants, all helping to fend off infection.

 

Almonds

A handful of your regular nutty snack but power-packed antioxidant and vitamin E such as almonds can fight colds and respiratory infections and boosts antibodies when under stress.

almonds

Yogurt

Your good old plain yogurts are famous for their healthy gut function. Aside from that, they are a good source of vitamin D, making your immune system stronger, defending your body against diseases and infections.

 

Turmeric

A glass of turmeric milk a day boosts your immunity, which keeps the doctor away. The many uses of turmeric involve being antiseptic for faster cuts and wounds healing, an anti-inflammatory for arthritis, an anti-bacterial for cleaning the internal system and can lower workout-related muscle injury.

turmeric

Green Tea

A cup of green tea made in a fruit and tea infuser can make wonders in your body. It is rich in flavonoids, an antioxidant that enhances immune function and a good source of L-theanine, an amino acid that helps produce microbial-fighting compounds in T-cells of your immune system.

 

Honey

Including honey on your hot and cold drinks, on some of your dishes, and on your pancakes may be a good idea. Its anti-microbial properties eliminate harmful microorganisms and foreign elements in your body.

 

Immune system works really hard in fighting viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens, which are present around you and in your body. Do yourself a favor, especially in these times of pandemic crisis, to help strengthen your immunity by consuming the best foods to help fight off infection.