Foods that boost your Immunity!

We're all about using food as medicine. Nauseated? Try some ginger tea. Sore throat? Manuka honey is your new best friend. Whatever your ailment, there's always a way to make plants part of your treatment plan.

As we consider foods that can help your immunity, we will first look at foods that boost your immunity. These foods may be of importance to you if you have a condition where you could benefit from a more active immune system. An important note: There are many claims on the internet about foods that supposedly enhance immunity, but many are not supported by evidence. In this chapter, I am going to describe the research that has been done on specific foods in humans demonstrating an immune benefit.

1. Mushrooms
The white button mushroom, one of the most common of all edible mushrooms, is eaten raw in salads or cooked with a wide variety of ingredients across world cuisines. Mushrooms are a good source of bioactives, including beta-glucan, an immune-stimulating dietary fibre. They’re low in calories, are great sources of fiber and protein (good for plant-based diets). They also provide many important nutrients, including B vitamins, selenium, potassium, copper, and (particularly when exposed to the sun) vitamin D. And even though they’re commonly white, they’re packed with as many antioxidants as more colourful fruits and vegetables.

Other culinary mushrooms like shiitake, maitake, enoki, chanterelle, and oyster mushrooms showed that they, too, can activate immune defenses. In addition to their culinary value, some of the most popular edible mushrooms have immune-boosting benefits.

2. Garlic
Garlic is renowned as both an ingredient and a health remedy. Ancient Greeks used garlic to strengthen athletes and soldiers and as a component of healing tonics. Fresh garlic has a strong, pungent smell valued for cooking, but when it is aged, garlic becomes almost odourless. Aged garlic is found as a dietary supplement and retains potent bioactives, such as apigenin, that can influence the immune system.

Garlic is fill of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B6, manganese, selenium, vitamin c, iron, potassium, and copper. Besides, garlic is fill with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B6, manganese, selenium, vitamin c, iron, potassium, and copper. Studies have shown that it can protect the liver from some toxins, and help lower blood sugar levels.

3. Broccoli Sprouts
Broccoli sprouts are a tiny wonder of nature that packs a huge punch. These small alfalfa sprout look-alike can fend off and reverse serious diseases. They taste like radishes, and you can eat them with anything, as a matter of fact, many people use them as snacks. Unfortunately, you cannot find them as easily as fully mature broccoli, but on the bright side, you can grow them yourself, from the comfort of your kitchen.

Powerful world-changers come in small packages. Believe it or not, this is very true for broccoli sprouts. Broccoli Sprouts health benefits include promoting cardiovascular health, fighting inflammation, preventing autism, promoting digestive health, preventing cancer, managing diabetes, enhancing the skin, promoting brain health, good for respiratory system, preventing premature aging, and support overall body health.

4. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Extra-virgin olive oil is a critical component of the Mediterranean diet, and the bioactives it contains, such as hydroxytyrosol, oleocanthal, and oleic acid, can enhance your immune system.

Extra virgin olive oil is loaded with antioxidants, some of which have powerful biological effects. Along with that, olive oil also contains nutrients that fight inflammation. These include oleic acid as well as the antioxidants. Several large studies demonstrate that people who consume olive oil have a much lower risk of stroke, the second biggest killer in developed countries.

Extra virgin olive oil has numerous benefits for heart health. It lowers blood pressure, protects “bad” LDL cholesterol particles from oxidation and improves the function of blood vessels. Consuming olive oil does not appear to increase the likelihood of weight gain. Moderate intake may even aid weight loss.

5. Ellagic Acid
Many popular foods contain ellagic acid, a potent bioactive with health-defense-activating properties. Chestnuts, blackberries, black raspberries, walnuts, and pomegranate have among the highest levels. As noted, ellagic acid has antiangiogenic effects that can starve tumors and prevent them from growing. But when it comes to immunity, ellagic acid can assist immune cells by improving their ability to detect and destroy cancer cells.