Immune Boosting Foods

One of the great things about eating healthy is it helps to support your immune system. And no doubt, in this day and age, we need all the help we can get with staying healthy and happy.

If you have been sick, or are trying to avoid being sick, you cans try adding these foods to help boost your immune system.

Ginger. A strong antioxidant, ginger also has antimicrobial and has anti-inflammatory properties. It can help to stimulate circulation, which means more oxygen to body tissue, helping to move toxins. Ginger can also help settle an upset stomach, so try adding it to a cup of tea and slowly sipping, or you can add it to smoothies or different dishes.

Garlic. Garlic is a phytonutrient which can help to fight bacteria and infection in your body. Garlic gives your body’s immune cells a boost, which can help to fight off common colds. Even if you’ve already been hit with a cold, garlic can help reduce the severity of the symptoms.

Turmeric. Turmeric may be a safe and effective way to help reduce inflammation in the body, improve liver function, aid in digestion and among other things. It can easily bar taken by capsule, in teas, powder form, added to smoothies and different dishes.

Citrus. Citrus, such as oranges, grapefruit, limes, peppers are high in vitamin C. Including these in your diet can help your body to defend itself against bacterial infections, so it’s helpful for fighting off viruses. When you are stressed, the hormones released by your body can deplete stores of vitamin C. Whether you snack on oranges or add some lemon juice to your water, it's really easy to get more vitamin C into your day.

While it can be a bit harder to avoid catching a cold during winter, you can catch these 'bugs' at any time of year, especially if you’re feeling stressed. Try adding these foods to your meals to give your immune system a helping hand!

Photo: @andapinchoflove