My body is a temple, a lot of people say. What they mean is that they live to respect their body and care for it as if it’s something sacred. Well, if you were to think of your body as a temple, the immune system would be its walls. As sturdy and thick as they might be, they do need continuous maintenance to fend off attacks, which, in this case, would be infections.

If the walls are not cared for, the temple (your body) might crumble from the damage the alien army (bacteria, pathogens, viruses) could possibly inflict. Whether it would be an eye infection, food poisoning, or a cold – your immune system has to be up and running in order to defend the body. You can help it in many ways, one of them is eating healthy foods that fight infection!

 

6 Healthy Foods That Fight Infection

 

1. Foods that contain zinc

 

Fish, seafood, poultry, lamb, beef are a perfect choice when looking for something that could boost your zinc intake. Why zinc is important in fighting infections is because it helps strengthen your immune system. For example, it’s crucial for the proper functioning of some immune cells, like white blood cells. If your dietary restrictions do not allow for meat consumption, try legumes like lentils and chickpeas, or pumpkin seeds. Your body doesn’t actually store zinc, so remember to eat plenty to meet your daily requirements.

 

2. Honey

 

Honey is loved not only because it’s sweet – it’s actually one of the foods that fight infection. It’s a natural anti-microbial remedy, which means that it fights off microbes. The active enzymes in honey release hydrogen peroxide, which is well known for eliminating germs. So, try sweetening your tea with honey next time.

 

3. Yogurt

 

Yogurt is very important for a healthy gut, as it contains probiotics – the good bacteria which maintain the gut intact. You might ask, why is yogurt considered to be one of the foods that fight infection? It’s because a great deal of the immune system is in the digestive tract. Yogurt consumption helps the body to produce antibodies, which target and attack pathogens. However, do remember to buy yogurt that is labeled to have live and active cultures of bacteria. Otherwise, yogurt might do nothing to help fight infection.

 

4. Garlic

 

Yes, sure, garlic might make your breath smell not so great… But, don’t write it off just yet. Garlic’s aroma is key in why it’s considered to be very good for the immune system. It’s packed with sulfuric compounds, including allicin, which is released when garlic is crushed or chewed. Allicin is widely known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. The traditional way of fighting infection with garlic is eating it on an empty stomach, but enriching your dishes with that sweet, sweet garlic is also welcome.

 

5. Citrus fruits

 

As we all know, citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C, which is an amazing compound that helps fight infection. The reason for that being its antioxidant properties. Vitamin C fends off free radicals that damage cells, including the cells of the immune system. Thus, consuming citrus fruits is an excellent way to help your body deal with an infection. If you’re not a fan of sour taste, try enriching your meals with kale, cauliflower or red peppers – these foods are also a great source of vitamin C.

 

6. Dark chocolate

 

Dark chocolate that contains 70% cocoa and above is a great source of magnesium, which is why it’s considered to be one of the foods that fight infection. Magnesium helps the immune cells to function more efficiently; more specifically, it helps white blood cells bind to pathogens so that they could be removed. Also, magnesium helps to maintain antibodies intact. But, remember, no matter how you look at it, dark chocolate is sweet, so please consume in moderation!

 

We Should All Eat More Foods That Fight Infection!

 

In these challenging times, it’s particularly important to try and help our immune systems out, and one of the best ways to do that is through consuming healthy foods that fight infection. To be frank, a lot of different foods have different effects when it comes to our health, most of them beneficial.

So, to really keep your immune system intact, try consuming a variety of foods – don’t get fixated on the six mentioned here (although they are proven to be extremely beneficial). That way, you will make sure that you get enough vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to really maintain your body and health in the best shape possible.

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