If there’s one thing the global Coronavirus pandemic has done over the last year or so, it’s highlight the importance of good health, and a strong immune system.
Your immune system is basically the only thing keeping you safe from the countless germs, microbes, bacteria, and pathogens out there which would like nothing more than to invade your body and attack you from within.
The immune system itself is spread throughout the body and comprises of many different cells, tissues, proteins, and organs. White blood cells and lymphocytes can attack, envelop, surround, and destroy viruses, germs, bacteria, and pathogens which enter the body and attempt to take over our cells.
How the immune system works is incredibly complex, yet boosting it isn’t. The immune system thrives upon nutrients such as vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, which is why a good diet and healthy lifestyle is so important.
Here’s a look at several of the best foods and tips for building immunity.
Ensure you get plenty of sleep
One of the most important things you can do when trying to boost immunity, is ensure that you are getting enough sleep each night.
A lack of sleep can leave you feeling run down and can result in an increase in the production of stress hormones such as cortisol. Cortisol has been shown to suppress the immune system, leaving you vulnerable to all manner of nasties.
Each night, try to get between 7 and 9 hours of good quality, uninterrupted sleep and your immune system will thank you for it.
Eat more greens
Green vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli, chard, and other leafy greens have been found to be incredibly beneficial for the immune system.
Most green vegetables in fact, are considered superfoods because of the fact that they are loaded full of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
In particular, they’re rich in vitamins A, C, E, and K, along with plenty of fiber and other antioxidants which help to strengthen the immune system.
Eat more ginger
Ginger is not only a delicious ingredient commonly used in Asian cuisine, it is also a very healthy natural ingredient too.
Ginger contains active ingredients and antioxidants such as gingerol, which possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help to fight chronic inflammation in the body.
Add to this, the vitamins found in ginger, and it’s easy to see why it’s so great for immunity. As an added bonus, ginger also contains ingredients which help to ease nausea and sickness symptoms too.
Eat more garlic
Another ingredient, which incidentally goes very well with ginger, is garlic.
Garlic is not only a culinary delight, it is also considered a superfood renowned for its immune system boosting effects.
Garlic possesses potent antibacterial and antiviral properties, and has also been found to help reduce LDL cholesterol which can block the arteries, and reduce blood pressure.
As far as the immune system goes, garlic contains powerful concentrations of an antioxidant known as allicin, which helps to strengthen the immune system.
