15 Foods That Boost the Immune System

15 Foods That Boost the Immune System

1 CITRUS FRUITS

Most people turn to vitamin C after they have caught a cold. That’s because it helps build up your immune system. Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells. These are key to fighting infections.

Popular citrus fruits include:

• Grapefruit
• Oranges
• Tangerines
• Lemons
• Limes
• Clementines

Because your body does not produce or store it, you need daily vitamin C for continued health. Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. With such a variety to choose from, it’s easy to add a squeeze of this vitamin to any meal.

2 RED BELL PEPPERS

If you think citrus fruits have the most vitamin C of any fruit or vegetable, think again. Ounce for ounce, red bell peppers contain twice as much vitamin C as citrus. They are also a rich source of beta carotene. Besides boosting your immune system, vitamin C may help maintain healthy skin. Beta carotene helps keep your eyes and skin healthy.

3 BROCCOLI

Broccoli is supercharged with vitamins and minerals. Packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as many other antioxidants and fiber, broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables you can put on your table. The key to keeping its power intact is to cook it as little as possible - or better yet, not at all.

4 GARLIC

Garlic is found in almost every cuisine in the world. It adds a little zing to food and it’s a must have for your health. Early civilizations recognized its value in fighting infections. According to several researches, garlic may also help lower blood pressure and slow down hardening of the arteries. Garlic’s immune-boosting properties seem to come from a heavy concentration of sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin.

5 GINGER