Top Immune Boosting Foods

There are lots of ways we can support our immune system with food, many of which you likely already have in your cupboard!

Food to Support Your Immune System

Anti-Viral Support

Certain foods have ‘anti-microbial’ properties, this means they are able to support the body fighting off viral, bacterial and even fungal attacks.

Garlic, oregano, thyme, rosemary, ginger

Get the most out of your garlic; Garlic releases something called ‘allicin’ which is a potent anti-microbial. Crush your garlic clove and leave it for 10-12 minutes, now the allicin is released and ready to fight! It is sensitive to heat so best added to cooking last or even taken on a spoon with some orange juice (not for the faint hearted)!

Gut Support

Did you know that almost 80% of our immune system lives in our gut? It’s true! Support your gut health with pro and pre biotic foods;

Pre-biotics; apples, pears, fibre, leeks

Pro-biotics; fermented food like sauerkraut, kimchi, probiotic supplements with 30 billion or per per capsule

Antioxidant Support

You may have read about antioxidants before, but what are they? Simply put, antioxidants fight unstable things in the body, like free radicals. When the body is fighting infection, there is an increased need for dietary antioxidants.

Berries; the darker the better! Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries etc. Frozen counts, too!

Beta-carotene rich foods; carrots, butternut squash, pumpkin, sweet potato, apricots

Green Tea

Ginger

A Note on Sugar and Immunity

Studies have shown that dietary sugar alters the immune function for about 2 hours after consumption. What this translates to is if you are having sugar throughout the day, your immune system could be functioning less than optimally throughout the day, too.

Do you want to know more about how you personally can support your immune system? I offer free 15 minute phone consultations, get in touch to arrange a call, today.