Foods for a Strong Immune System

The immune system is a vital part of the body. It defends and fights off diverse ailments that can be brought about by viruses, germs and bacteria. Our diet and nutritional intake have a lot to do with the power an immune system can have. Foods that are full of sugar and fat, or are overly processed, tend to be packed with things that stress the system.

Features

• Fresh vegetables including broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, collard greens, kale, chicory, kidney beans, lentil beans, navy beans, chickpeas, asparagus, garlic, onions and red and green peppers contain phytonutrients that will keep the immune system strong.

Types

• Fresh fruits like pink and red grapefruits, apples, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, red grapes, bananas, tomatoes, mangoes, tangerines, nectarines, peaches, oranges and watermelon also help strengthen the immune system.

Benefits

• Foods containing Omega-3s like ground flax seeds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, soybeans, cashews, almonds, hazelnuts and walnuts are comprised of healthy fats, which can enhance the immune system.

Function

• Eating liver, beef, kidney, dark-meat turkey, salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel and chicken helps to maintain and promote the immune system.

Effects

• A diet which includes dairy products like eggs, milk, cheese and yogurt along with complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, oatmeal and whole wheat encourages a strong immune system.

Considerations

• It's important for the food you eat to be fresh because the nutritional value of it can change once it has been processed, frozen or overdone.