Winter is here, which means your body may need a little bit of a boost. When the weather gets a little colder, many people experience a lowered immune response.
Some reasons for this include lower levels of vitamin D, more time indoors, and the body’s response to the cold.
If you feel you need a boost this winter, try some of these immune system-boosting foods!
Citrus
Fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes are all high in vitamin C. This vitamin is a mainstay for the medicine cabinets of many people. It’s great when you feel sick, low in energy, or just plain down in the dumps.
Vitamin C helps your body produce more white blood cells. These cells are your body’s first line of defense against illness. Vitamin C gives them the reinforcements they need to keep fighting.
The vitamin C in citrus fruits also keeps your skin. The benefits are endless!
Red Bell Peppers
Another great source of vitamin C is red bell peppers. In fact, these peppers are a better source of vitamin C than most citrus fruits. One ounce of these peppers has more than triple the amount of one orange.
Red bell peppers are also high in beta carotene. Your body converts this nutrient into vitamin A, which keeps your skin and eyes healthy and working at their best.
Ginger
Like vitamin C, ginger is great when you’re feeling sick. It can help decrease inflammation and reduce nausea, which is good for a cold or after a night of overindulging.
Some studies have also shown that ginger can help decrease chronic pain and may lower cholesterol.
Green Tea
Tea, specifically green tea, is very high in antioxidants like flavonoids and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), as well as the amino acid L-theanine.
The antioxidants help your body improve its immune response, while the L-theanine helps your body produce germ-fighting chemicals. Overall, a cup of green tea is great for your body.
Spinach
There is a reason spinach is often included in lists like these. This leafy green is an all-around fantastic food for your body.
It is loaded with tons of nutrients and antioxidants, like flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamins C and E. Basically, spinach does a little bit of everything.
Avocados
Avocados are great for the immune system for a variety of reasons. For one they’re loaded with vitamin E, which helps to neutralize free radicals in your body.
Free radicals are unstable atoms in the body that can damage cells. They have been liked to fast aging and several diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, arthritis, and some cancers.
The green fruits are also high in healthy fats, antioxidants, and other nutrients that boost your immune system and keep your vital organs healthy.
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