• Contact Me | Appointments

    1221 E. 33rd Street | Ste 100 | Tulsa, OK 74105-2046
    brentmusick@supportivecounselingoftulsa.com
    (918) 609-3449

  • Brent Musick - Supportive Counseling of Tulsa

    • Home
    • About
    • Services
    • Getting Started
      • Client Forms
      • Rates & Insurance
      • Request An Appointment
    • FAQs
    • Resources
      • Latest News
      • National Physical Health Links
      • National Mental Health Links
    • Contact Me
    • Blog

    5 Foods to Keep Your Immune System Strong

    April 11, 2020

    As the events of COVID-19 continue to unfold, many of us are focusing on how we can keep ourselves and our families as healthy as possible. While social distancing and increased hand washing can be very effective at stopping the spreading of the Corona virus, it is equally important to keep our immune systems strong.

    With this in mind, here are some of the absolute best foods you can eat to help support your immune system:

    1. Blueberries

    Blueberries are loaded with powerful antioxidants. In fact, they contain a type of flavonoid called anthocyanin, which has antioxidant properties that can boost your immune system. A 2016 study found that flavonoids play an essential role in the respiratory tract’s immune defense system. The researchers found that people who ate foods rich in flavonoids were less likely to get sick with respiratory tract infections and the common cold.

    2. Turmeric

    Turmeric is the aromatic spice that makes curry yellow. It is also often used in alternative medicine thanks to its active compound curcumin. Curcumin has been shown to improve a person’s immune response because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

    3. Spinach

    Popeye knew that spinach would help him be stronger. But I wonder if he knew how good it was for his immune system. Spinach contains vitamin C & E, as well as beneficial flavonoids and carotenoids. Not only are vitamin C & E great for the immune system, but research shows flavonoids may help prevent common colds in otherwise healthy people. So, it stands to reason it may help protect against other viruses as well.

    4. Citrus Fruits

    Most of us, when we feel an illness coming on, reach for more vitamin C-rich foods. But what is it about vitamin C specifically that makes it so good for our immune systems?

    Vitamin C is believed to increase the production of white blood cells. These are the cells responsible for attacking foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses.

    Some popular citrus fruits high in vitamin C include:

    • grapefruit
    • oranges
    • tangerines
    • lemons
    • limes
    • clementines

    Unlike other animals whose bodies do produce vitamin C, humans must get their vitamin C from the foods they eat or through supplementation. So be sure to add more citrus fruits to your diet.

    5. Red Bell Peppers

    We can’t talk about vitamin C without mentioning that ounce for ounce, red bell peppers contain even more vitamin C than most citrus fruits. So if you prefer veggies to fruits, then be sure to eat more red bell peppers.

    While this is not an exhaustive list of immune-boosting foods, it will get you started eating right so you can stay healthy during this pandemic. It’s also important to stay hydrated and eliminate sugars and trans fats from your diet as well.


    SOURCES:

    https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/foods-that-boost-the-immune-system

    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322412

    Share this:

    • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

    Related

    Filed Under: Nutrition

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Supportive Counseling
    of Tulsa

    Brent Musick MA, LPC

    1221 E. 33rd Street Ste 100
    Tulsa, OK 74105-2046

    (918) 609-3449
    Email Me Now

    verified by Psychology Today

    Contact Me Today

    By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.
    Supportive Counseling of Tulsa | Brent Musick
    brentmusick@supportivecounselingoftulsa.com | (918) 609-3449
    A Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2021 · Genesis Child on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in