Spinach to Sunflower seeds: 9 Food items to boost your immunity, safeguard you from infections

First Published Aug 12, 2020, 5:25 PM IST

Feeding certain foods to your body may keep your immune system healthy. Plan your diet to include these 9 food items for a potent immune system.

If you have a robust immune system, your body can fight viral infections, even the novel coronavirus. There is no medicine nor any confirmed home remedy that can protect you from COVID-19. But, by including vitamins and foods in the daily diet, one can have a healthy immune system. Here is a list of some immunity-boosting foods
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Citrus fruitsAlmost all citrus fruits have a high amount of vitamin C, which will increase the production of white blood cells, which are vital in fighting infections.Popular citrus fruits are grapefruit, oranges, clementines, tangerines, and lemons. The human body doesn’t produce or store vitamin C, so we need to consume these fruits for good health.
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BroccoliThis vegetable is rich with vitamins and minerals. Stuffed with vitamins A, C, E, and many other antioxidants, broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables you can put on your plate.
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GarlicGarlic is found in almost every cookery. It adds a slight zing to food, and it is suitable for health.Early civilisations realized its value in fighting diseases. Garlic may also slow down the thickening of the arteries, and there’s weak evidence that it helps lower blood pressure.
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GingerThis ingredient helps to decrease infection. Ginger also helps reduce sore throat and inflammatory illnesses. While used in many sweet desserts, ginger packs some heat in the form of gingerol, a relative of capsaicin.
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SpinachThis vegetable has many antioxidants and beta carotene, which increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems.Like broccoli, spinach is healthiest when cooked as little as possible so that it retains its nutrients. However, light cooking makes it easier to absorb vitamin A and allows other nutrients to be released from oxalic acid, an antinutrient.
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AlmondsThis potent antioxidant is key to a robust immune system. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it requires the presence of fat to be adequately absorbed. Nuts, such as almonds, are packed with the vitamin and also have healthy fats.
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Sunflower seedsSunflower seeds are a mix of nutrients, including phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamins B-6 and E.Vitamin E is essential in improving and maintaining immune system function.
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TurmericEverybody knows turmeric is a vital ingredient in many curries. This bright yellow, bitter spice has been used for years as an anti-inflammatory in treating osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.Research proved that high concentrations of curcumin, which gives turmeric its distinctive colour, can decrease exercise-induced muscle damage.
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PapayaThis fruit is packed with vitamin C. Papayas also have a digestive enzyme called papain that has anti-inflammatory results.Papayas have decent amounts of potassium, magnesium, and folate, all of which help your overall health.
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