Many people are looking for ways to boost their immune system; with the recent outbreak of Swine Flu, there’s been much hysteria. However, health officials and flu experts have agreed that by strengthening the immune system, and practicing the standard preparations for flu season, such as thorough hygiene, and good rest, among other things, decreases the chances of catching this virus, or any other, are less than likely. Always keep your allergies in mind and consult your doctor before you add these foods to your diet.
Lemons
Lemons are easy to add to your diet, and they’re cheap! They offer vitamin C, and equalize the body’s balance of acids and alkali. You can mix lemon juice with tea, or water, make lemon cookies, or simply have hot lemon tea on a rainy day. Or kill three birds with one stone, so to speak, by eating broccoli sprinkled with lemon juice, and seasoned with a little garlic.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Not the first food one thinks when grocery shopping, but apple cider vinegar is very effective. Its primary ingredient is of course apples which contain a host of vitamins including potassium, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, magnesium, chlorine, iron, fluorine and sulphur. While preparing a delicious fish dinner try adding the vinegar to fried or broiled fish, or you can make vinaigrette for salads; raw and leafy vegetables are also boosters of the immune system.
Yogurt/Kefir
Yogurt is renowned as a miracle food. Sometimes it’s paired with Indian and Mediterranean cuisine to take the edge off the eye-watering spices, and kefir is its equally delightful alternative. Both these varieties of yogurt contain highly beneficial bacteria that line the intestines to ward off parasite bacteria, and virus germs. Add a batch of blueberries, or strawberries for a healthy dessert.
Turmeric
When it comes to boosting your immune system, most people don’t think of turmeric; many of us never use it, and generally consider it to be the most useless spice that comes in the spice rack. However, turmeric has a variety of medicinal properties; it can even be used as a topical antiseptic! It also works as an anti-inflammatory when eaten, and is speculated by physicians to have properties that allow it to generate more immune cells.
Garlic
Garlic has always been a miracle food; the ancient Egyptians realized its health benefits, and considered it holy; they valued it so much, they used it for money! While we might not use garlic in quite the same way today, it is still world-renowned for being a very healthy food. Garlic contains sulphuric compounds, such as allicin, which gives garlic its smell, but also its unparalleled protection against illnesses of various types.
Oregano
Oregano not only boosts the immune system, but it’s also a critical ingredient for Italian food lovers! It is high in antioxidants, and saturated with phenolic acids and flavonoids. You can find oregano in almost every spice rack, and when combined with other immune system booster’s garlic, tomatoes, and meat for protein, it makes for the ultimate super dinner.
Red Bell Peppers
A great addition to any sauce is red bell peppers which are a great source of vitamin C and are known as energy boosters. As a matter of fact, many physicians agree that of all the fruits and vegetables that contain vitamin C, red bell peppers are one of the best. Within twenty minutes of consumption they elevate body heat production and oxygen intake.
Green Tea
Green tea is perfect for strengthening the immune system, and fighting bacteria, and viruses. The epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG in green tea prevents a virus from being able to replicate and multiply; recent tests indicate this ingredient may be an anti-cancer agent.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin’s proficiency in beta carotene makes it a prime source of nutritional value. Beta carotene is the main component of vitamin A, which both prevents cancer, and strengthens cellular communication in the immune system. If you can’t manage eating a pumpkin, add pumpkin seeds to your diet as they are a fabulous source of protein and zinc. They are even alleged to lower cholesterol.
Ginger
Ginger is great for cookies, teas, and baking, but it also boosts immune system; using it in the bath while ill increases the production of sweat, which rids the body of germs and toxins. It is widely known for minimizing heartburn, motion sickness, migraines, and preventing colon and ovarian cancers. Instead of drinking coffee in the morning have a cup of green tea served with ginger for a healthy alternative.
Oysters
Oysters are an acquired taste; they’re slippery and gooey, and many people are disgusted by the prospect of eating them. The people who do like them often claim they are a powerful aphrodisiac; however, physicians have found high levels of zinc. The zinc mineral protects the body by increasing the potency of helper T cells, which detect antigens and germs in the body.
Broccoli
Not only does broccoli have extensive vitamins and minerals to keep the body healthy, but it’s also one of the most effective immune system boosters out there. It contains vitamins A, C, E, anti-cancer agents, and potent antioxidant compounds, making it a threat to any nasty germ in the body! Enjoy broccoli raw in your favorite salad, or steamed as a side dish to your entree.
June 13th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
The food that surprises me on this list is oysters. Are they really that good for our immune systems?
June 13th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
The zinc in oysters bolsters the immune system and helps fight diseases and other infections.
June 13th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Every once in a while I’ll call up the MoviePhone line and listen to the guy with the deep voice talk about romantic films while I jerk my meat and jizz all over the phone
June 14th, 2009 at 12:36 am
ooh… broccoli with lemon juice sounds so good.
i know what im eating tomorrowww.
& i loved the article, it had so much stuff that i didnt know.
June 14th, 2009 at 9:11 am
I would really like to see some scientific studies cited to corroborate your claims… I expect that a number of the health effects you mention are from in vitro trials (in glassware) rather than in vivo trials (in the body). Obviously, there is a massive difference between a Petri dish and the human body, so it’s naive to assume that because something happens in a test tube that it will also happen in the body.
Eating more fresh fruit and vegetables is a really good idea – they’re both linked to health benefits and increased longevity. The idea that drinking the occasional cup of tea will prevent viral infections is completely unfounded. Lab tests suggested that EGCG can prevent the infection of some cells by HIV. However, that hasn’t been proven in the body. Personally, I doubt it ever will be. Anyway, you can’t legitimately extrapolate these lab tests to “EGCG in green tea is likely to prevent the infection of cells by viruses.” – viruses all have different methods of infection. That is just one of your claims, however I suspect others will follow a similar pattern.
I’m sure this post will probably get censored, but your post is far from scientifically sound and you are misleading people. There is a massive amount of good dietary advice you could give, but instead you’re giving this largely useless advice that almost suggests miracle cures.
To the blog author: please feel free to contact me.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical doctor, I am not a dietician and I have no relevant qualifications in this field. I have received sufficient scientific education to understand and interpret the conclusions of scientific study.
June 15th, 2009 at 3:56 am
in india we people use to get all these foods in daily diet mainly thanks for the valuable info
June 15th, 2009 at 10:41 am
great article there
even though i don’t really like some of them
thx for the info anyway
June 16th, 2009 at 7:40 am
What about kiwis and oranges? My main immune system helpers.
June 16th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Mike is knowledgeable
June 16th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Mike is right.
June 16th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
I drink apple cidar vinegar everyday. First full year I can remember without a hint of illness. Ken
June 17th, 2009 at 7:56 am
@Mike Thank you for you insight. I understand where you’re coming from by misleading people with this information. Il’l be sure to revise the post, and supply all the resources used when researching this topic. I should revise the title as it can be misleading. I’m not a medical doctor either, I’m simply trying to offer valuable health tips to people to improve their lives. Thanks
June 18th, 2009 at 8:43 am
I actually eat whole lemons and im disease free. Well I peel off the peel and eat it slow.
June 18th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Very useful post
June 18th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
When living with a Greek friend of mine, I was introduced to broccoli with lemon juice. He would steam the veggies al-dente and douse them in lemon juice and add salt and pepper. It kept well while cold in the fridge and tasted great. I don’t recall using garlic but it would be a welcome addition to the simple way of preparing this healthy vegetable.
July 15th, 2009 at 2:52 am
Interesting, but it appears to be yet another list by someone with no credentials or expertise to back up any claims, and, like Mike, I don’t see any studies or trials which support these claims – just like thousands of other “best of” or “superfoods” lists on the internet.
July 19th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
turmeric as the most useless spice? have you even heard of india?
August 11th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Thanks dear Mike am glad I got through your website,I have never taken broccoli but would like to have a better and healthy broccoli recipe.
regards
Sarai
August 29th, 2009 at 4:25 am
Okay, I agree with the idea that the blog poster is not an MD, or what-have you, but seriously, stop being such a dick! He is trying to post some information that is helpful to people, and all you can do is talk about how unfounded his opinion is. There are many “studies” that are not done in a lab, and there are countless amounts of information that DO back up all the claims that he has made, and they ARE backed up by real In Vivo experiments. However, seeing as how the so-called health industry cannot make a profit off of such studies (cannot patent natural compounds, like food or food-derived supplements), they have no reason to conduct the studies that you are referring to. The experiments that I am referring to have been done by individuals/natural health practitioners for decades! So, before you come onto a blog with your holier than though attitudes and try to tear someone else down for at least making an attempt to help provide people with pertinent information, take a moment and think about how you want to phrase your argument. Pointing out some facts is one thing, trying to sound like an authority is another. By the way, that little disclaimer that you throw out at the end, about how you yourself are not an MD is very key. You are no more informed than he is on the matter, so go troll elsewhere.
September 2nd, 2009 at 6:32 am
An excellent and well researched list of foods that boost the immune system! Around 6 of them are regularly used by me in meals, I look forward to use more frequently the remaining 6. Keep up the great work!
December 20th, 2009 at 1:04 am
Thanks for having such an insightful view on this topic. Adding you to my feed reader right now.