With Covid coming into the picture every six months with a new variant, it has become important more than ever to maintain and continuously boost our immune system. And, there cannot be anything better than making sure you eat right foods to boost your immunity. Let's have a look at the type of foods you should be including in your diet to achieve this.
1. Garlic
Garlic belongs to the onion family and has been known for its medicinal and health properties. It is highly nutritious with minimum calories Garlic boosts immunity and helps in fighting common cold and flu. Not only that it also helps in regulating blood pressure and improves cholesterol levels.
Garlic can be used in its fresh, dried or powdered form in curries, vegetables, breads, pasta and so much more.
2. Ginger
Ginger, the underground part of a stem, is commonly used in its fresh, dried and powdered form and sometimes in the form of juice and oil. It is extensively used in Indian cooking for its medicinal benefits. Ginger contains Gingerol, a powerful anti-oxidant, which aids in digestion, reduces nausea and helps in fighting common cold and flu by boosting our immune system. You can add ginger in your tea, juices, smoothies or grate fresh ginger in your curries, pulao, biryani and soups. We, at Tassyam, know the benefits of ginger and makes use of it in ginger powder, masala tea and three varieties of kombucha. Know all about our Kombucha flavours here.
3. Nuts and Seeds
Ever wondered why your parents forced you to eat dry fruits and nuts during the winter season when you were a kid? Because they are packed with essential immunity-boosting nutrients that can even regulate blood pressure and prevent many chronic diseases. Nuts like almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios and seeds like chia, flax, sunflower and pumpkin are a must to be included in your diet. Know more about your seeds here.
4. Spices
Our grandmothers and their mothers were very smart and knew how to make the most of the spices available in India to not only add flavour to foods but also boost our immune system. If you being to analyze, almost all Indian foods have a mix of spices that go into making. Even the most delectable things like pickle, chutneys and pakoras have spices, just to make sure that even if we satiate our taste buds, we somehow add value into boosting our immunity.
Check out this blog that talks about what spices to use to give your immunity a boost.
5. Broccoli
How can we talk about boosting immunity and not mention a green vegetable? Broccoli is closely related to cauliflower, kale and cabbage. It is packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber. Eating broccoli helps in improving indigestion, controls blood pressure and sugar levels. Vitamin C, which is one of the most essential nutrients for boosting immunity, is present in abundance in broccoli. Vitamin C can help in prevention of certain infections and illnesses. You can eat broccoli raw in a salad, roast, pan-fry or steam it. It tastes great as a snack and even compliments soups, stews and pasta well.
6. Citrus Fruits
As mentioned above, Vitamin C is known for strengthening the immune system and this Vitamin is loaded in citrus fruits like oranges, kinnow, lemons, limes and grapefruits.
Other than being good for the immunity, citrus fruits have anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and help in keeping the skin smooth and elastic. Citrus fruits are also very easy to be incorporated in your diet, in their raw form, in salads or in the form of fresh juices.