Best Foods for a Strong Immune System: Part 1
by Michelle Kicherer of www.BananaPitch.com
What are the best foods for a strong immune system? In my last nutrition article, we talked about ways to keep our immune systems in top form.
As the weather cools down and the Cold and Flu Season approaches, we have to remind ourselves of all the important things to do to keep ourselves and our loved ones healthy. Three of the most important things we can do to keep our systems healthy are to eat the right things, get daily exercise, and to get enough sleep. All of these things can be hard to do, but with practice we can all alter our routines to be healthier versions of ourselves!
One of the most important things we can do to keep our immune systems strong is to eat well. Below are my top five best foods for a strong immune system to eat on a regular basis, to help keep your body strong. Again, for those elderly folks who have a hard time eating solid foods, you can blend these items and serve as a thick smoothie.
I have to say again that water is one of the most important “foods” we can eat, so it’s going at the top of this list. Staying hydrated keeps our cells strong, our digestive tracts moving, our skin nourished, helps deliver our nutrients to all the parts of our bodies. Speaking of nutrients, here are four immune-boosting foods to incorporate into your diet!
Cabbage: high in glutamine, an amino acid that keeps the immune system functioning, particularly the digestive tract. Also high in fiber, which helps move food along the digestive tract, and helps lower cholesterol.
Almonds: these lovely little nuts have tons of vitamin E, which amongst other things, helps keep cells from getting damaged. Vitamin E has also been used to help combat decline in people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Check out the Alzheimer’s Association’s website for more information, and a link to the National Institute on Aging’s latest studies.
Grapefruit: These tangy citrus fruits have lots of flavonoids, which are compounds that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that keep immune systems functioning in top form. They also have lots of vitamin C, which is very important for immune system.
Yogurt: High in protein and calcium, as well as magnesium, potassium, vitamins B-2 and B-12, yogurt is also full of probiotics. These are good bacteria that keep the gut functioning well and are especially recommended for older adults, who often have difficulty digesting foods and absorbing nutrients.
