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Cut-off the Pandemic Fear with these Superfoods to Boost Immunity
Are you feeling concerned about your health and your immune system in particular ? Well, the pandemic has made almost everyone worry about health and well-being more than ever. And several forwarded messages labeled various foods and drinks as 'superfoods' with natural ingredients for increasing immunity. Let's find out if those are real. But one thing's for sure that food and eating habits affect your immune system. The right diet is necessary for your body's cells to function correctly and build a strong immune system. This system fights the viruses and bacteria of diseases to keep you healthy.
You might have heard your doctor or parents advising you to eat a healthy diet, especially when you are ill. The reason for the advice is that your immune system demands energy to fight the germs of the disease. Only a nutritious diet can give the right energy to the immune system's cells for fighting infections. Of course, some foods play a better role in the development and maintenance of the immune system. Let's explore more about those superfoods.
Understanding Immune System and Food Relationship
What Makes Up our Immune System?
Our immune system is quite complicated. It is made up of individual cells, proteins and chemicals that fight the disease microbes. Also, it has memory cells that record, recognise, fight and defeat the disease microbes. These are the main parts of an immune system:
- Antibodies: Antibodies help the body to fight microbes and toxins within.
- White blood cells: The most important part of the immune system, these cells find and fight disease-causing microbes.
- Spleen: Spleen is a blood-filtering organ that eliminates all the microbes and removes the old red blood cells.
- Bone Marrow: Bone marrow is a spongy-type tissue inside the bones that contains essential cells.
- Thymus: Thymus filters and monitors the blood content of the body.
- Complement System: This system is made up of the proteins that supplement the antibodies.
- Lymphatic system: This system makes up a delicate tube throughout the body.
Signs of a Weak Immune System
- Constant Infections from Cold and Cough: People usually suffer from cold and cough 2-3 times on an average per year. But if you constantly suffer from cold and cough infections, it is a clear sign of a weak immune system.
- Suffering from Autoimmune diseases: Several diseases directly affect your immune system, and an overactive system damages the body's tissues. This is known as an autoimmune disease as it lowers the fighting capacity of the body.
- Delayed growth and development of the human body: A weak immune system in children leads to a delay in their growth and development. If you are facing any such issue, rush to a doctor.
- Issues with the digestive system: The digestive system is responsible for the absorption of nutrients from food. And improper digestion can lead to weak immunity. However, if you feel your digestive system weakening, it could be a sign of a weak immunity system.
- Skin rashes: Skin being the first layer between your body and the external environment, reflects any internal problem. Thus, dry and weak skin with rashes is a sign of weak immunity in the human body.
- Constant feeling of tiredness: We need the energy to work day and night. So if you feel tired in your regular life doing the daily chores, it, again, is a sign of a weak immune system.
- Taking time to recover from injuries: Immune system is also responsible for helping you recover from injuries. So, any delay in the recovery process is another indication of the system not working properly.
- Organ inflammation: A weak immune system leads to organ inflammation.
Let’s Know if your Diet Boosts your Immune System
As we mentioned, the immune system fights the microbes entering the body and protects it against every disease. And for this, it derives its energy from cells. In turn, the cells are energized by the nutrients in the food that we consume every day. Here, eating food rich in fiber, vitamins, and proteins can help boost immunity. Some more ways to boost the immune system include exercising regularly, not smoking or drinking alcohol, proper sleep, and maintaining good hygiene.
What Food Qualifies as a 'Superfood'?
"Superfood" refers to the specific food items carrying various nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. There's an endless list of healthy food items, but there are many items that you can consume in everyday life. Since some superfoods may be quite expensive for you, we have curated a list of affordable ones here. Add those to your regular diet, and you will have a stronger immune system.
10 Superfoods that Support Your Immune System
Now you know what qualifies as a superfood, let's explore those that promote immunity
Fish
Many people consume fish regularly. This aquatic animal is a good source of omega-three fatty acids alongside vitamins D and B12. Besides, fish is also a great source of phosphorus that makes it an immunity booster. Moreover, it helps lower blood pressure and prevents risks of heart attack and stroke.
Buy Dried Anchovy fishes for a healthy immune system at low prices from Q Trove. This premium quality seafood is handpicked from Kerala's coastal regions and sold without additives or preservatives. 250g of dried anchovy fish is available for Rs. 329.
Coconut Oil
Coconut Oil is another widely used superfood. It contains a distinct combination of fatty acids that have positive impacts on your health. The oil promotes fat loss and helps maintain the proper functioning of the heart and brain. Being responsible for reducing seizures, it protects skin, hair, and teeth as well. Due to its health benefits, it's even used culturally as a regular diet in many communities.
Maxcare Cold Press Virgin Coconut Oil is an excellent pick for the well-being of your family. This one's 100% natural and comes directly from fresh coconut milk. You can use this oil for cooking, hair, baby, and skincare, and as a dietary supplement. 500ml bottle of this oil is available on Amazon for Rs. 365.
Spinach
Green vegetables are healthy ones. Well, you have heard that since childhood. Did you know the green leafy spinach is a nutrient-rich superfood? Well, that's what gave Popeye – the Sailor Man the required energy boost to fight Bluto. Filled with nutrients and antioxidants, it's famous for improving eye-health, stress and preventing cancer cells from developing. Besides, it is also rich in fiber and vitamin content.
You can buy spinach in canned or fresh vegetable form and cook in spices for a great taste. People eat spinach as a regular food item. You can get the Fresho Palak (fresh spinach) from Big Basket for Rs. 12 per 100 gram and take home all the nutritional value.
Ginger
Ginger is known for its potential to avert cold and flu and prevent organ inflammation. The herb has been historically known for its medicinal benefits. It's even used in regular tea for better health and, of course, better taste. Also referred to as one of the healthiest spices globally, ginger is used in fresh form in vegetables. A dried and powdered form is also available. Some people even add ginger in juices for a unique taste. If you are looking for fresh ginger roots, here's a special pick for you. Rajnigandha Fresh Ginger Amada Roots are available on Amazon at the cost of Rs. 249 for 200 grams.
Garlic
Garlic is a traditional superfood known for its antiviral and antioxidant properties. Old Ayurvedic books have a mention of garlic for treating various health conditions. Besides, garlic also has a strong flavor. It's used in the fresh form in cooked and prepared meals. Apart from this, it's also used in dried and powdered form for multiple uses. When garlic is chopped, it contains sulfur compounds that make it quite beneficial for your health. You can add garlic to your meals, making them flavourful and healthy. It is usually available in the market, but you can also get it online as well. Buy fresh and organic garlic from Amazon at the cost of Rs. 290 for 900 gram.
Zinc
Derived from various food items, zinc supports the functioning of a healthy immune system. It is a simple mineral with a wound-healing power. Besides, this superfood also develops the tissues required for the good functioning of the human body. Since a human body cannot store zinc, you will have to regularly consume it in form of food or medicine. Some good zinc sources are meat, legumes, shellfish, nuts, dairy items, and whole grains.
However, at times, you might fall short of your required zinc intake. Thus, it's always suggested to keep tablets handy. Buy Fast&Up Magnesio, zinc, and magnesium tablets for stress management and muscle health from Amazon. You will get 60 tablets in lime & lemon flavor for Rs. 693. Though these are common supplements, you should opt for a doctor's prescription if you suffer from some medical condition.
Turmeric
Turmeric is the most popular antiseptic and immunity-boosting superfood. Many people have this habit of drinking turmeric milk or adding turmeric to the regular diet to prevent cold, cough, and flu. It is also useful in making the human body recover faster from injuries. Turmeric has been traditionally known for its medicinal and anti-inflammatory properties. Get yourself dry turmeric sticks/SABUT HALDI that are raw sources of vitamins and minerals too. Get your hands on these premium whole turmeric sticks from Amazon by paying Rs. 199 for 400 grams.
Citrus Fruits
Lemon, oranges, and other citrus fruits are significant sources of vitamin C. Mostly colorful and bright, these usually grow on trees. Some common citrus fruits are lime, grapefruit, mandarins, and sweet oranges, etc. Citrus fruits are excellent fiber sources and are low in calorie content. A great feature of citrus fruits is that they reduce the risk of kidney stones, cancer, and boost heart health.
You can buy these superfoods of your choice from Big Basket's Citrus fruits category. They have a wide variety of citrus fruits you can choose from. Get your hands on the same today.
Green Tea
Green tea is rich in nutrients and carries natural antioxidants. It is considered one of the healthiest drinks. Green tea improves brain-functioning, promotes fat loss, lowers heart disease risks, and protects against cancer. Filled with bioactive compounds, this tea is used to clear the impurities from the body as well. Besides, it is also a valuable part of beauty ingredients such as face packs.
Lipton's Green tea is a great and popular choice available. It is not only affordable but also has different varieties. You should add this one to your routine for better health. Get the pack of 100 lemon green tea bags by Lipton from Amazon for Rs. 446.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are edible fungus, healthy, and carriers of several essential nutrients. You can find a varied range of mushrooms, from affordable to costly ones. Mushrooms have also been used traditionally for their medicinal properties. The herbs are termed superfoods because of a wealthy constituency of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. We recommend Desi Treat Button mushroom. Available on Amazon for Rs. 249 (825 grams), this mushroom pack is a gluten-free, farm food with a shelf life of 24 months.
Bonus Tip: Raw or Cooked?
Are Superfoods Better When Eaten Raw?
We know that food and some specific food items are healthy for the human body. Therefore these food items are called superfoods. But there is always controversy on their form of consumption. You can consume every nutrient of the food item in its raw form, and doing this is considered ideal as well. That's why many people prefer eating raw or minimally cooked food to preserve its nutrient content.
On the contrary, when we cook the food items, their cell walls become softer, making them easy to digest. This way allows the body to absorb the nutrients easily. At the same time, cooking in water makes several nutrients submerge in the water, leaving a few in the food. However, this doesn't mean that you stop cooking entirely. Here, you can pick the best cooking method for a specific food type to ensure you are absorbing maximum nutrients.
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Fight off Diseases by Introducing Superfoods to the Diet
Autoimmune diseases, issues with the digestive system or even taking time to heal from injuries will be the least of one's worries once they start consuming superfoods. These are just a few of their benefits since they have the ability to strengthen the immune system. Superfoods are varied, they could be meat such as fish, veggies like spinach or fruits such as citrus fruits. Therefore, one has a wide range of options to choose from the Superfoods to Boost Immunity.