5 Foods to Boost Your Immune System
Winter is a difficult season to pass. The light is lacking, the cold makes you want to stay at home and the viruses seem to wait until the body lowers the guard. Result: many spend the winter sniffing, coughing or even bedridden for a few days.
There are, however, natural solutions to protect against viruses. It is especially advisable to adapt your diet to boost your immune system. Here are some foods that must be used as soon as autumn arrives, to spend a healthy winter.
1. Garlic, used for everything, also works great for immunity
Garlic is a really easy food to integrate into its diet and multiple benefits. While some lend it aphrodisiac properties, garlic is especially antiseptic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial.
Renowned for being a booster of the immune system, it can help the body fight against viruses and winter germs.
It is better to consume garlic raw than cooked. It can be added to your everyday dishes. For bronchopulmonary infections, do not hesitate to chew directly into the pod!
2. Kefir, to drink regularly
Kefir is a drink (lactée or fruity) prepared with kefir grains subjected to the fermentation phenomenon.
Considered a probiotic, kefir has dietary properties, but is also beneficial for intestinal transit.
Kefir also stimulates the immune system by promoting the intestinal flora, whose mucosa contains nearly 60% of the body’s immune cells.
3. Turmeric, one of the most powerful medicinal plants in the world
Antibacterial, turmeric is traditionally used in cooking to preserve meat. The curcumin it contains in abundance, is a very powerful antioxidant that helps boost immunity.
Turmeric has a low bioavailability. This means that between the absorption and the digestion, the active principles are largely eliminated and do not reach the general circulation, so that they can not diffuse their benefits.
So you have to combine taking turmeric with black pepper or turmeric oil to get the best of what this spice has to offer the body.
4. Shiitake, antioxidant black mushroom
Shiitake, more often called “black mushroom” is of Asian origin and becomes more and more popular in the US and Europe. This mushroom, with a very popular taste, is best known for its antioxidants protecting the cells of the body.
Also called “samurai mushroom” for its remarkable fortifying virtues, shiitake also contains lentinan (polysaccharide) which would protect and stimulate the immune system.
Regular consumption of shiitake provides a prebiotic action that rebalances the microbial flora and boosts the immune system.
In addition, like many mushrooms, shiitake is antimicrobial and anti fungal – awesome bonus!
5. Ginseng, the immune system ally
Used for hundreds of years, ginseng is particularly appreciated for its root also called “root of life”. Known to restore sexual “vitality” to men, this root also stimulates the immune system and helps to restore physical and mental fitness in winter.
Attention, there are several forms of ginseng, namely Asian and American. It is the Asian that must be preferred as it is more stimulating. Ginseng would cure chronic colds in winter, but also flu. It would also help with concentration and fitness.
Ginseng can be eaten in powder, root, mother tincture or maceration. It is better to consume it in cure while respecting a certain posology. Ask your pharmacist what dosages are best for you.
Fruits and vegetables at will
Stimulating one’s immune system also depends on the general diet. Fruits and vegetables all have benefits on the body, and should be consumed every day, especially in winter. Cucumber for example is depurative, the carrot is rich in antioxidants, spinach improves the digestive system.
The apple regulates intestinal transit, banana regulates blood pressure and orange fights constipation…
To boost your immune system in the winter, limit saturated foods to fat and exercise. Your body will be stronger and better able to fight against the famous winter ailments!