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The Best Foods to Boost your Immune System

At this moment in time we are all struggling at the thought of catching the Coronavirus and are trying to do everything we can to stay healthy and stop it spreading. So, we have put together a few foods that can boost your immune system to keep you healthy during this period.

Blueberries

Blueberries are brilliant in strengthening your immune system as they contain anthocyanin which has antioxidant properties that can help boost a person’s immune system. It has been found that people who eat more food rich in flavonoids are less likely to develop the common cold than those who don’t. You can try them in:

Fruit salad
Muffins
Pies
Ice lollies

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate contains an antioxidant called theobromine, which may help to boost the immune system by protecting the body’s cells from free radicals which can damage the body’s cells and contribute to disease. You can try them in:

Brownies
Muffins
Mousse
Truffles

Broccoli

Broccoli is a source of Vitamin C and is a good choice of vegetable to eat regularly as it helps support the immune system. You can try them in:

Roast dinner
Stir fry
Broccoli & Stilton soup
Salad
Quiche

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene, a type of antioxidant that gives the skin of the potatoes its orange colour and is also a source of vitamin A which helps make the skin healthy and protect it from damage. You can try them in:

Fries
Mash potato
Soup
Burritos

Spinach

Spinach boosts the immune system as it contains essential nutrients and antioxidants like flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamin C and vitamin E. Having vitamin C and E supports the immune system and flavonoids may prevent common colds. You can try this in:

Quiche
Salad
Pasta

Garlic

Garlic is often used as a home remedy to treat colds and illnesses this is due to the fact it contains compounds that help the immune system fight off disease. You can try it in:

Rice
Bread
Pasta

Green Tea

Green tea contains only a small amount of caffeine, so people can enjoy it as an alternative to coffee or tea. Drinking green tea strengthens the immune system as it contains flavonoid which are antioxidants, which reduce the risk of getting a cold.

Oranges

Oranges are a brilliant source of vitamin C, which is the vitamin everyone turns to taking more of when they are suffering from a cold or other illness. This is because vitamin C may reduce the duration of a common cold symptoms and improve the functionality of the immune system. You can try these in:

Fruit salad
Yoghurt
Cake
Jelly
Muffins
Juice

Almonds

Almonds are an excellent source of vitamin E and contain fibre, manganese and magnesium. A snack of these or something including almonds will perhaps benefit the immune system. You can try these in:

Cakes
Roasted
Salad

Red Bell Pepper

Red bell peppers are an excellent source of Vitamin C. Stir frying or roasting these will help to benefit the immune system and is much better than steaming or boiling them.