Today, many of us are interested in strengthening our immune system because of the current situation we are living in due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Leer en versión Español.
Although there is no food that can protect us or alleviate the symptoms of the coronavirus, it is equally important to keep our immune system strengthened to avoid being more vulnerable to contagion from this or any other disease.
Foods, as long as they are of natural origin, bring great benefits to our whole organism.
They have a diversity of vitamin and mineral properties that help us have more energy, better blood circulation, provide strength in our bone system, provide protection by strengthening the immune system and prevent infection, among other contributions suitable for our health.
Factors that generate a weak immune system
If we have an inadequate diet full of excesses and a high consumption of synthetic, canned or other foods that provide few nutrients is considered one of the factors in which our immune system will be weak or altered.
Other causes that also unbalance our defenses are high caffeine consumption, smoking, physical inactivity, poor hydration, stress and little rest or constant late nights.
Similarly, pollution contributes to the weakening of defenses by generating the spread of infectious diseases such as influenza, respiratory infections, among others. Climate changes also affect our immune system.
The stage of our life, in which we are usually a natural factor in the vulnerability of our organism, as well as the lifestyle we lead now or we come to have in our youth, remember that over time we see the repercussions of this.
Therefore, it is important to have knowledge of which foods strengthen the immune system, in order to include them more frequently in our daily diet, considering it as a prevention method or to start seeing improvements in our health status, as the case may be.
5 foods that strengthen the immune system
We must remember that there are different food groups which are classified according to the nutritional contribution they provide us, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, lipids, minerals.
However, all have great nutritional benefits and important that influence our body, which is why it is ideal to consider having a healthy diet that maintains a balance not only in portions but in the supply of vitamins and minerals that help maintain our health.
Among the foods that strengthen the immune system we have the following:
Carrot
The carrot is a root vegetable belonging to the group of vegetables, usually consumed in the vast majority of homes around the world, can be in salads, soups, boiled, stews or even juice.
Its high consumption is due to the great rumor that has been spread for several decades and is that the carrot brings great benefits to our vision, as it contains vitamin A, this allows for better functioning of the eye.
But that is not its only contribution to our body, as it contains other essential vitamins to strengthen the immune system and being rich in antioxidants helps even more in terms of preventing diseases spread by bacteria or a virus.
Carrot vitamins: C, A, E and K. It also has a high percentage of water.
As it contains these vitamins it also becomes one of the vegetables that contributes to the care of the skin and digestion.
Aubergine
Eggplant is a food of less consumption and although it is usually recommended by dieticians, physical trainers or health specialists, people do not usually include it in their meals, so it is important to know a little more about its properties and know how much it gives us.
You probably think that aubergine belongs to vegetables, but in reality it is a fruit rich in antioxidants, it has fibre and minerals that provide great benefits to our health.
It mainly helps us to strengthen our immune system thanks to the fact that it contains folic acid, vitamin B1 and B2. It also prevents the generation of heart disease, osteoporosis, reduces cholesterol levels and helps care for the skin by preventing aging.
Eggplant vitamins: A, C, B1, B2. Its minerals calcium, potassium, iron, phosphorus and has chemical compounds nasunine, flavonoids and chlorogenic acid
It is time to start including eggplant more frequently in our meals, because in addition to the above it also brings benefits to our brain with increased control of the nervous system and decreases high blood sugar.
Zucchini
Maybe you have seen a zucchini and confused it with a cucumber, because they are family, also known as Italian slipper. It is a vegetable belonging to the group of fruits as in the case of the sideburn.
The zucchini can be eaten raw or sewn, usually add it to meals as stews or in the preparation of a zucchini soup, its flavor is a little neutral this allows the versatility of its use, since it does not alter the taste of the rest of the preparation.
Beyond that, zucchini provides properties that increase the production of red and white blood cells, strengthening the immune system by creating more antibodies.
Thanks to its vitamins and minerals, it maintains a control of cholesterol, prevents deficiencies in the functionality of the heart, helps the body to release toxins, and contributes to the care of skin and hair.
Zucchini Vitamins: A, C, B3, has omega 3, fiber, pecin, cellulose, is rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus.
Beet
You may be one of those people who include very little beet in their preparations, but this vegetable belonging to the purple vegetable group has vitamins that help enhance our immune system.
Due to its properties it allows cells to oxygenate better, increases the production of red blood cells, thus providing greater protection against infections.
Beets, also known as beets, contain minerals that allow the body to purify itself, since they contain fiber and antioxidants that serve to detoxify.
Beet vitamins: it has all the compendium of vitamin B, C. Among the minerals it has silicon and magnesium.
Besides strengthening the immune system and serving as a diuretic, it helps to invigorate the nails, hair and to keep the skin rejuvenated.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most widely used ingredients in cooking, the taste and smell it brings to foods is indescribable, but it is not the only thing it contributes.
This is a bulb comprised of segments or cloves that its main function is to be antiseptic, is used in natural medicine to fight the flu, respiratory infections, among others.
This food helps us to strengthen the immune system thanks to the compendium of vitamins and minerals it possesses, especially a natural chemical compound such as diallyl sulfide, it is also used as an antibiotic.
Garlic vitamins: A, B, C, contains proteins, carbohydrates, minerals such as calcium, silicon, iron, iodine, phosphorus, among others.
All this makes it an anti-viral plant. Another contribution that gives the consumption of garlic is to have better circulation, prevents blood clotting, improves liver function, strengthens bones.
It is usually recommended to eat some cloves of garlic on an empty stomach, this also helps to reduce the levels of fat.
