28/03/2020
7 best plant-based foods for a healthy immune system:
1. Ginger
Did you grow up sipping on a ginger ale whenever you were home sick? The intention was good, the ex*****on just needs a little help. Skip the soda, which has a ton of inflammatory refined sugar, and go straight to the whole food source instead: ginger! Ginger is great for the immune system thanks to its high antioxidant content.
2. Beets
Beets have some amazing health benefits -- one of which is improving gut health. A healthy gut often translates to a healthy immune system. Beets make your stomach happy because they’re a high fiber food, which is excellent for your digestion. Fiber helps you stay regular, feeds healthy gut bacteria, and keeps digestive illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease and diverticulitis at bay. Wins across the board!
3. Garlic
Garlic has been used to help colds for centuries -- but it’s not just an old wive’s tale. There’s science at work here! Garlic contains compounds called alliin, which are shown to boost immunity and reduce inflammation.
More good news: you don’t have to munch on raw garlic cloves to reap its medicinal benefits.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric isn’t just great for inflammation; it can help your immune system thrive, too! Curcumin, the compound in turmeric that makes your curry yellow, also seems to activate T cells and other pathogen-fighting cells in the body, which helps you fend off illness easier.
5. Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a superstar when it comes to boosting your immune system. They’re high in Vitamin D (which activates the immune system response and helps T cells do their job of warding off infection). They’ve also got beta-glucans, which have been shown to activate killer cell function -- again, to help you ward off illness.
6. Oranges, Strawberries, Kiwis
We all know Vitamin C is good for our immune system (hello antioxidants!) but don’t go reaching for that OJ just yet. Orange juice is typically loaded with refined sugars, which can cause inflammation in your body. Instead, reach for whole food sources instead. Our favorite fruits with vitamin C are oranges, strawberries, and kiwis.
7. Oatmeal
When it comes to your health, you can’t go wrong with oatmeal. Oats are great for weight loss, cardiovascular health, cancer prevention, and digestion, among many things. They’re loaded with fiber (remember, great for your gut!) and oats also have zinc, an important nutrient for your immune system because it helps T cells and natural killer cells function correctly.
