Feeling a little bloated after all of the eating this holiday season? Or are you starting to feel a little bit sick as colds and other sicknesses go around? Why not kill two birds with one stone and start eating healthy foods that will boost your immune system? Your body will thank you if you start eating these five things today.
GREEN TEA
This ancient and delicious drink is one of the best things that you can have for your body. It’s loaded with antioxidants, which help your body fight off oxidative stress. Furthermore, these antioxidants help you avoid getting sick before the disease actually happens, and may even help to fight potential cancers. Some evidence also suggests that green tea drinkers may have a lower chance of getting heart disease in their lifetime.
SPINACH
Spinach is one of the best leafy green vegetables that you can put in a salad. It’s loaded with iron, which has very beneficial effects on our immune system. Like green tea, spinach is also incredibly rich in antioxidants, which help strengthen our immune system. Another great way to enjoy it – sauté it with some garlic and lemon for a greek-inspired side dish!
CITRUS FRUITS
Whether we’re talking about tangerines, oranges, or grapefruits, try to load up on citrus fruits this winter season. Vitamin C, of course, is well known to help with immune system function and can possibly reduce the duration and severity of the common cold. So, if you think you’re on the fence of getting sick, a few orange slices might not be a bad idea at all.
HONEY
Several studies suggest that honey’s effect on your body can actually reduce the growth of microbial agents that can cause infection. This links back to the first post on this list – mix some green tea with some honey for a double-punch health combo!
GINGER
Ginger is a great and underused root. Popular in Asian cuisine, you can take advantage of the health properties of ginger by cutting it up and boiling it in water for 10 minutes, and then drinking the tea you just made. Again, feel free to add some honey if you’re not too keen on the taste of ginger. But this remedy will help boost immune function, can help your throat, and can also help if you have stomach ailments. (Remember mom making you drink ginger ale when you had a stomach ache?)
Try a dosage of some of this food as medicine and see if your immune system starts to kick back into overdrive. Instead of being sick this winter, get out there and enjoy the snow!
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This guest post was written by Steve Bronson in association with Doctors Imaging. They’re Radiologists concerned about quality patient care and maintaining a healthy diet. More information can be found at www.doctorsimaging.com/.
