Nutritious Foods that Help Boost Immunity

By Kapiva Editorial

A strong immune system is vital to keep your body healthy. The immune system consists of tissues, cells, proteins, and organs that carry out regular functions and fight pathogens (viruses and bacterias that can infect the body). 

Life in a pandemic calls for an immune system that can withstand any assault. The way to get there is by incorporating certain foods in your regime can help strengthen your immunity. 

Presently, we are at a point where being healthy is the only aspect that can save us through the day. In such times, knowing how to boost your immune system is extremely important. Keep reading to discover the foods that can help you battle many ailments.

How to Boost the Immune System?

Ginger: A key ingredient in most Indian households, ginger is one of the choicest Ayurvedic immunity boosters. It is a go-to herb when it comes to treating cold and cough. With its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger may help mitigate a sore throat or other inflammatory illnesses. Besides, ginger may also help with nausea and chronic pain and help lower cholesterol.  

Garlic: Found in almost every cuisine, garlic adds zing to food and brings a wealth of goodness along. There is some evidence that garlic can help lower blood pressure. It may decelerate the hardening of arteries. The immune-boosting properties of garlic are derived from a heavy concentration of a sulfur-containing compound known as allicin. This can help keep infections at bay.  

 Turmeric: A yellow spice available in most Indian food, turmeric is a primary cooking ingredient that acts as an Ayurvedic immunity booster. Regular consumption of turmeric can help bolster the immune system. This healing is derived from curcumin, a healthful compound in turmeric. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects treat cold, cough, and the flu. You can consume this every day by adding it to milk or making it a part of food items cooked. 

Raw Honey: A powerhouse of antioxidants, raw honey is a type of unfiltered honey that has numerous healing properties. Regular honey is subjected to heavy processes that destroy the valuable nutrients in honey. Raw honey is free from these processes that help retain maximum nutrition. The phytonutrients in raw honey are responsible for its antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. The presence of free radicals in the body damages the cells and may also lead to the development of chronic illnesses like cancer or cardiovascular diseases. Antioxidants in raw honey curb the effects of these free radicals thereby reducing the risk of the associated diseases. Research suggests that an antioxidant compound in raw honey called polyphenols may help prevent heart disease. You can add raw honey to your diet by consuming it with milk, spreading it on toasts, or using it as a substitute for sugar.  

Amla:  An ayurvedic herb for immunity? Make way for our dearest amla! Also known as Indian gooseberry, amla is a popular super fruit that helps bolster immunity. An abundance of vitamin C in amla is what plays a crucial role. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that prevents the effects of free radicals by curbing oxidative stress. Amla is enriched with many micronutrients that help strengthen immunity. It helps keep cold, cough, and the flu at bay. Further, it helps detox and aids eyesight, hair, heart, etc. Amla is also rich in fiber that helps with weight loss. Amla can either be consumed raw in its fruit form or as a juice. It is advisable to consume amla in its juice form because of its bitter, sour, and sweet taste. The Kapiva Amla Juice is a healthy drink that contains maximum nutrition and immunity-boosting properties.   

Spinach: A healthy leafy choice? Make spinach your go-to green. The many essential nutrients and antioxidants in spinach may help strengthen the immune system. This contains vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and flavonoids. Vitamin E and C are the ones that support the immune system.  Some research also suggests that flavonoids might help prevent the common cold. So the next time you wonder which green should you add to your plate? Make sure there is enough spinach on your plate.  

Almonds: A handful or a quarter cup of almonds is a healthy snack that may also boost immunity. Almonds contain magnesium, manganese, fiber, and vitamin E. All these nutrients play an important role in boosting overall health. 

Herbal Juices:

There is no better way to consume Ayurvedic herbs for immunity than drinking herbal juices. The tulsi giloy juice, amla giloy juice, amla juice, and immune care juice each provide many health benefits. A presence of an abundance of antioxidants in herbs such as amla, tulsi, giloy all help fight free radicals. Further, their anti-inflammatory properties help alleviate other ailments. For herbal juices, you can consider consuming a range of Kapiva’s herbal juices that help boost immunity. Their many healing properties will help you alleviate health ailments with the goodness of nature.

 Summing it Up

The aforementioned ingredients and veggies each hold prominence in maintaining overall health which helps boost immunity. Check your schedule and find ways to add each of them to your diet. Nurture your body with the right food to nourish yourself. Do try out some of the best immunity-boosting juices from Kapiva that will come a long way in helping you stay healthy. You can consume these juices as per the recommended dosage. So go ahead and equip yourself with the best to make way for good health. 

 

This information is part of the series produced for

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Kapiva Editorial

We are a team of food scientists and Ayurveda experts at Kapiva. Our mission is to raise awareness and educate people on ancient principles and herbs found in traditional texts. We work together to develop the most comprehensive content on Ayurveda which is grounded in peer-reviewed, scientific research.