FOODS THAT BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
FOODS THAT BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
(Not listed in terms of effectiveness)
Compiled by Nancy B. Detweiler
1. Unsweetened Yogurt with live and active cultures.
2. Citrus fruit – Mandarin orange has a high level of limonene which has anti-cancer effects and also helps to prevent breast cancer. Mandarin is a natural blood purifier that helps to flush out toxins and unwanted substances from the body. Grapefruit contains less sugar than oranges. Red or pink grapefruit – also helps detox the liver and promote a healthy gut lining.
3. Red Bell Pepper
4. Broccoli – one of the healthiest vegetables. Raw or cooked as little as possible. Also helps detox the liver and promote a healthy gut lining
5. Garlic
6. Ginger – Ginger may help chronic pain.
7. Spinach – raw or cooked as little as possible.
8. Almonds – vitamin E is key to a healthy immune system. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it requires the presence of fat to be absorbed properly. peanuts, hazelnuts and sunflower seeds are all high in vitamin E.
9. Turmeric
10. Green tea – Both green and black teas are packed with flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. The fermentation process black tea goes through destroys a lot of the EGCG. Green tea, on the other hand, is steamed and not fermented.
11. Sweet potato, carrot, pumpkin, squash, cantaloupe – supply Vitamin A – they have an antioxidant effect to help strengthen the immune system against infection.
12. Mushrooms, especially Shiitake, maitake, button, and reishi mushrooms
13. Blueberries, elderberries, acai berries
14. Watermelon – great for a summer breakfast fruit
15. Oysters – supplies zinc which helps create and activate white blood cells involved in the immune response. It also assists your immune system with tasks such as healing wounds.
16. Cinnamon – cinnamon is antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal.
17. Tomatoes
18. Bananas
