Let’s say that a common cold or virus is spreading around the office or your child’s class. Rather than loading up on cold and flu medications and preparing for the sickness to hit, you can naturally boost your immune system by eating certain foods. A quick trip to the grocery store can be the right move that helps your immune system fight off whatever is going around.
These “office colds” are minor compared to the constant onslaught of germs, parasites, pollutants, and bacteria that we face every day. You can inhale these toxins or unknowingly absorb them through your skin. Lucky for us, the immune system constantly adapts to keep the body as healthy as it can.
Staying sufficiently hydrated and practicing proper hygiene can help keep your immune system in good shape. What’s more important is to eat healthy foods that replenish the body with vitamins and minerals. Additionally, regular exercise (30 minutes of walking a day is sufficient) can help to improve the circulation of disease fighting cells!
According to research, raw fruits, vegetables, raw nuts & seeds, and legumes are the best foods to naturally boost the immune system. Cooking foods often kills the nutritional value, which is why raw is best. Use the following foods to give your immune system a helping hand!
Ginger
One of our favorite things about ginger is that it helps to cleanse the lymphatic system, also known as the body’s sewage system. It also helps to flush toxins from your organs. Did we mention that ginger prevents the body from accumulating toxins that can make you sick or susceptible to bacterial infections? Well, it does that too!
Peppers
All peppers, from the sweet bell to the fiery habañero, contain vitamin C and capsaicin, which helps to improve circulation and reduce inflammation. Capsaicin has been linked to reducing the growth of certain cancers because it is a powerful antioxidant. It also works to thin mucus build-up in the body.
Brazil Nuts
You aren’t really supposed to eat a lot Brazil nuts at once. In fact, you shouldn’t eat more than three a day. Brazil nuts are an excellent source of selenium, which helps white blood cells produce the proteins necessary for eradicating viruses from the body.
Papaya
This fruit contains way more vitamin C than oranges. A single papaya contains roughly 224% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, which is an immune booster and a free radical fighter in the body. Papayas also contain a digestive enzyme that helps to decrease inflammation in the digestive system. You always want a healthy digestive system to avoid bacterial build up, which can lead to various illnesses.
Coconut Oil
A quick disclaimer: for the best results, we recommend purchasing virgin, organic coconut oil! Containing medium-chain triglycerides, coconut oil works to fight off bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites, especially after you digest them. Coconut oil also helps to reduce overall inflammation and boost energy levels.
Olive Leaf
The antiviral properties of olive leaf have been known to fight back against the common cold and more serious viruses like meningitis, pneumonia, hepatitis B, malaria, gonorrhea, and candida symptoms. Recent research has shown that the extract of olive leaf can fight against viruses that cause influenza or respiratory infections. Olive leaf extract’s compounds can also kill invading organisms, making it so viruses cannot replicate to spread infection.
Oregano
One of the best ways to absorb the healing agents of oregano is to drink a soothing cup of oregano tea. Drinking oregano tea can help to soothe a sore throat, even strep throat, or combat a virus or infection in the body. Oregano’s antioxidants work to supercharge your immune system. Oregano also contains quercetin, which has been known to slow the growth of cancer cells and promote apoptosis (cell death).
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
