Foods
to boost the immune system
Foods to boost the immune system are
not hard to come by when you know what the body needs
in order to be healthy.
After all, the immune
system is a part of the body, not
a separate entity, and responds to proper nutrition and
the basics for good health just as all other systems
of the body respond.
The body needs specific nutrients
in relatively large amounts in order to function. These
are called "macronutrients" because
they make up the largest part of the diet:
All these are foods that boost the immune
system because they are the major components that the
body, including the immune system, need in order to function.
Most people don't think of water as a nutrient, but
the health benefits
of water make it a major factor in
good health and a functioning immune system.
Before getting into more specific foods that boost the
immune system, be very aware that building up your immune
system is much more than popping some extra Vitamin C
or eating certain foods when your nose starts running.
The quality of all food and drink that you consume has
a direct effect on your health and immune system.
If you eat junk food most of
the time, don't be surprised if you find yourself
coming down "with a bug" now
and then. What's the basic difference between healthy
and not healthy foods? It's simply the difference between whole
foods and processed
foods. That's explained in the article "Healthy
Eating Guidelines."
Key foods to boost the immune system
are those that contain vitamins
and minerals, or in other words, micronutrients
that the body requires in smaller amounts. The foods
that have the most micronutrients plus other health-supporting
substances such as enzymes and antioxidants,
are vegetables and fruits. We hear the healthcare industry
saying to "eat
plenty of fruits and vegetables" but it isn't always
clear why we should consume them!
Not only do fresh fruits and vegetables contain vitamins
and minerals that are essential to the healthy operation
of the body, they are the foods that boost the immune
system the most because they are very high in antioxidants.
Here is a list of the top 20
sources of antioxidants in commonly consumed foods
per the American Chemical
Society,"Largest USDA Study Of Food Antioxidants
Reveals Best Sources." ScienceDaily 17
June 2004:
1. Small red bean (dried)
2. Wild blueberry
3. Red kidney bean (dried)
4. Pinto bean
5. Blueberry (cultivated)
6. Cranberry
7. Artichoke (cooked hearts)
8. Blackberry
9. Prune
10. Raspberry
11. Strawberry
12. Red delicious apple
13. Granny Smith apple
14. Pecan
15. Sweet cherry
16. Black plum
17. Russet potato
18. Black bean (dried)
19. Plum
20. Gala apple
Additionally, and critical to good
health, fruits and vegetables also contribute
to a balanced
body pH. The immune system functions best when the pH
of the body is balanced.
So with crazy schedules and maybe not-so-healthy diets,
what's a good way to consume enough of these foods to
boost immune system? If you're sincere about wanting
to improve your health and build your immune system,
I highly recommend that you look at and consider juicing
vegetables and fruits. Here are some tips
for juicing to
get you started.
Cheers,
BB
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