What to do to stay healthy and resist viruses during the cold season? Especially now, when the coronavirus pandemic is quickly spreading around the world. Instead of panic, it is better to start strengthening your immunity. Proper nutrition is the best and easiest way to protect the body. All you need to do is add healthy products to your diet. They will help to strengthen your immune system, activate the metabolism, provide your body with vitamins, and even protect the nervous system. We’ve selected five healthy products that you should always have on your shopping list during the cold season.
Top-5 Products to Support Your Immune System
The human body can be compared to a huge state in which each cell performs its special function to ensure the vital activity of the whole organism. Our immunity is like an army that protects us from internal and external enemies. How to strengthen the immune system so that you always feel strong and full of energy? Here are five essential products to help you support your immune system:
1) Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a cold season vegetable that contains many nutrients, including vitamins C, E, and K, as well as manganese and zinc. It is suitable for preparing salads, soups, and various appetizers, as well as an excellent addition to meat and fish. You can mostly buy it in the large supermarkets: find more info about hy-vee weekly ads on Rabato.com/us/hyvee.
Cooking Tip: Cut off the hard stem, remove the top leaves, and rinse the sprouts with water. Boil in salted water for 5-7 minutes.
2) Apples
Apples are a source of vitamins and minerals. They contain numerous beneficial substances that help prevent cardiovascular diseases and strengthen the immune system. Apples are available throughout the year, but they become especially popular in the fall and winter for their refreshing sweet taste and health benefits. It should be noted that apples are a natural source of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that increases the body’s resistance to harmful bacteria and viruses.
3) Corn Salad (Rapunzel)
Corn is one of the healthiest lettuce varieties due to its high vitamin A content. Compared to regular greens, it contains three times more vitamin C and four times more vitamin A. The high magnesium content has a positive effect on immunity, while essential oils have a positive effect on the digestive system. The use of corn salad creates a large space for culinary experiments, as it is compatible with most products.
Interesting fact: in Germany, corn salad is better known as “Rapunzel”. It is curious, that the heroine of the famous German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, received her name after this plant.
4) Ginger
The healing properties of ginger have been known since ancient times: Chinese warriors applied ginger root to wounds received in battles. The product contains vitamin C, retinol, and vitamin B. So, if you have passed the COVID testing at Walgreens and received a negative result, you still need to protect yourself from flu and other viruses. The pharmacological properties of ginger are similar to garlic, but the smell of the plant is much more pleasant.
Ginger can be used as a seasoning for various dishes – it is added to soups or porridge, meat dishes, and chicken. You can also make some ginger tea: just chop the root, pour some boiling water in the cup, add lemon, mint, and honey in equal proportions, and let the drink brew.
5) Fish
Fish is a source of omega-3 fatty acids that are not enough in our body for immunity. Omega-3 has a beneficial effect on human health by lowering the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. In combination with phosphorus and vitamins, omega-3 acids help the body resist infectious and various diseases. We recommend choosing fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel, or salmon. Besides, zinc is directly involved in the structure of immune cells. Our body is not able to produce zinc, so we need to eat foods that contain this element in excess, including fish.
In Conclusion
The accelerated pace of life, unfavorable ecology, constant stress, and unhealthy diet weaken our immune system. Our bodies work without proper rest, sleep, as well as vital nutrients. A weakened immune system is almost a 100% guarantee of getting sick during the flu and cold season.
Most modern doctors agree that to strengthen the immune system, we need to adjust our lifestyle. It is important to move a lot, follow the nutrition rate of our diet, and take vitamin complexes. The diet should contain proteins, vegetables, fruits, as well as foods rich in fiber. Fortunately, any product can be found in supermarkets today, so don’t neglect the above tips and support your immune system with the nutrients that the human body needs.