“Let food be thy medicine,” said Hippocrates. Hippocrates was half right: food, like almost everything else in life, can be a good thing or a bad thing. It can be the gift that keeps on giving, or our mortal enemy. But when we make the right food choices, food can do wonders for our immune system— and our bodies in general. It can indeed be ‘the medicine’ we need to lead long, enjoyable lives.
A strong and healthy immune system keeps your body strong and healthy, too. But we all know the flip side of not eating right. Fried chicken, cake, soda, milkshakes, and the super-size culture may taste good, but they haven’t done our nation any favors. When your body lacks essential nutrients, your immune system will fail to protect your body from foreign cells. Having a weaker immune system will cause you to get sick more often and make it harder to recover.
How To Boost Your Immune System with 5 Delicious Super Foods
If you’re wondering how to get that immune system in balance, you need to stuff your diet with foods packed with nutrients. Aside from the more known super foods like spinach, bananas, avocados, here are 5 lesser-known super foods specifically to boost your immune system:
Raspberries: Half a cup of raspberries contains 25% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C and manganese. They contain a powerful mix of antioxidants that protect cells and tissues from free radical damage.
Beets: Beets are not only filled with fiber and vitamin C, but are also rich in antioxidants that fight off inflammation, cancer, and heart disease. Add some to your salad for a subtle, sweet kick!
Flaxseed: By sprinkling two tablespoons of flaxseed to your yogurt, cereal, or any food you choose, you can get the full dosage of omega-3 fatty acids to fight off inflammation. Flaxseed also contains powerful antioxidants, called lignans, which have proven to be effective against certain types of cancers, especially breast cancer.
Oranges: Half an orange provides your total amount of vitamin C needed for a day. Oranges are also known for their cancer-fighting properties. They are great immune system boosters, they have lots of fiber, potassium, and calcium—not to mention how tasty and refreshing they are!
Yogurt: Want to increase your lifespan while getting rid of bad breath? Yogurt is one of the best sources of probiotics, a bacteria that helps with digestion and boosts your immune system. Rich in protein and calcium, it makes for a great meal.
→ Challenge your kids to feel better and live better by reading about how to can prevent childhood obesity and how to manage Texas allergies?
→ Come meet our friendly HHER staff at 3942 Old Jackson Highway, Tyler, Texas 75701.
