Strengthen Your Immune System with a Healthy Diet

By Stepy Kamei

Wouldn't it be great if there were one simple thing we could do to instantly boost our immune system, to the point where we hardly ever got sick? We know that no such miracle cure exists, but there are plenty of lifestyle choices and habits which are available to us that give us the power to improve our immune system functions. Taking your well-being into your own hands is crucial to living a healthier, happier lifestyle overall. With a strong immune system, you're more likely to resist colds, flus, viruses, and other illnesses which may be trying to knock you out of commission for a few days (or even weeks). With this in mind, work on feeding your body with the literal nourishment it needs to fight off potential illnesses. 

You Can Never Have Enough Garlic

If you know anyone who takes garlic pills, now you know why they do so -- because you can never have enough of it. You'll want to add garlic to more of your favorite dishes if you want to fight off infections. Garlic naturally contains a compound known as allicin, which is known to boost the immune system. This is also the reason garlic takes on such a strong smell, but the benefits are mostly worth it. Make a healthy compromise by increasing your use of mouthwash as you increase your consumption of garlic. 

Hydrate the Fun Way

Staying hdrated by drinking plenty of water is all well and good, but if we're being honest, plain water can just get boring at times. Mix it up and keep your taste buds enticed by adding lemon juice, turmeric, honey, and ginger to warm water for a drink that's both soothing as well as energizing. These ingredients all have great benefits for the immune system, so allowing them to work together like this is a great, and delicious, way to keep your health on the up and up. Honey and ginger are both great antioxidants, while lemon and honey can reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the immune system's natural response to foreign invaders in the body, yet too much inflammation can actually weaken and compromise the immune system. 

Stir Up Some Chicken Soup

This isn't just an old wives' tale. Chicken noodle soup is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, thanks to its bone broth base. What's more is that homemade chicken noodle soup can also slow the movement of white blood cells into the upper respiratory tract. This can help relieve cold symptoms, or prevent them from getting worse.