Liv Life Liverpool

Are there any specific foods that boost immunity?

Good nutrition plays an important role in maintaining a healthy and robust immune system; regularly eating a variety of nutritious foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals can help to keep the immune system strong.

Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables are loaded with bioactive phytocompounds known as antioxidants that activate the immune system and strengthen our defences so we can resist disease or fight disease. Brassicas like cauliflower, broccoli, Brussel sprouts and cabbage contain immune boosting compounds known as glucosinolates and green leafy vegetables, onions, apples and raspberries all contain quercetin, an anti-inflammatory pigment that helps to protect our cells from being damaged by a build-up of free radicals that are produced by normal cellular processes in the body.

Vitamin C helps to increase the production of white blood cells which are needed to support a healthy immune system and to fight infection, so we need to include foods like spinach, cooked tomatoes, cantaloupe melon, peppers, blackcurrants, broccoli, strawberries and Brussel sprouts in the diet. Vitamin D helps to regulate the immune system and is thought to boost the body’s natural defences against diseases; foods rich in this vitamin are natural yoghurt, all types of mushrooms, oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, egg yolks and fortified wholewheat cereals.

Vitamin E is another important immune protecting antioxidant which can be found in abundance in almonds, hazelnuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, salmon, trout and cod and sweet red peppers.

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