7 “Power Foods” That Can Help Boost Your Immune System

We, at AMCI, can not think of a better time to share this information with you. It is imperative that while stocking our homes with food and items needed during a pandemic, we consider our bodies and what we can do to boost our immune system.

Listed below are seven “Power Foods” that that should be incorporated into our diets to boost our immune system:

Citrus Fruits

Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells. These are key to fighting infections.

Citrus fruit examples include:

• Grape fruit
• Oranges
• Tangerines
• Lemons
• Limes
• Clementines

Ginger

Ginger may help decrease inflammation, decrease chronic pain, and may possess cholesterol-lowering properties.

Broccoli

Broccoli is high in vitamins and minerals (vitamins A, C, and E, and many other antioxidants & fiber. Broccoli is very healthy. Eat broccoli uncooked to get the most benefits from it.

Yogurt

Purchase yogurts that have “live and active cultures” printed on the label.

These cultures may stimulate your immune system to help fight diseases.

Yogurt can also be a great source of Vitamin D. Select brands fortified with vitamin D. Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system and is thought to boost our natural defenses against diseases.

Garlic

Early civilizations recognized garlic value in fighting infections. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, garlic may also help lower blood pressure and slow down the hardening of the arteries. Garlic’s immune-boosting properties seem to come from a heavy concentration of sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin.

Spinach

Spinach is rich in vitamin C, numerous antioxidants, and beta carotene, which may increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems. Light cooking enhances its vitamin A and allows other nutrients to be released from oxalic acid.

Red Bell Peppers

Red bell peppers contain twice as much vitamin C as citrus and are a rich source of beta carotene.

A variety of “Power Foods” is the key to proper nutrition is variety. Protect your overall health by putting things in your body that help you fight colds, flu, and other illnesses.