MMMMM-What Do These Delicious Foods Have In Common? The Boost Your Immunity!

AS you read this I am not in Kansas City but rather out of town on a mystery trip!! Hmmmmm…..I wonder where I could have gone? Such a mystery (lol)-really just off with some old girlfriends having a couple days to reminisce about the good ol’ days and have fun in the present. While I am off jaunting through the country I thought I would leave you with some great foods to help you boost your immunity. I found this from the celebrity nutritionist Christine Avanti on Yahoo and thought how easy these would be to incorporate into your diet if they are already not in your diet. I

Immune strength is highly related to food intake you know so here are a few of the best foods to help protect ourselves from illness.

Green Tea-Where do I begin? I love green tea and can never seem to have enough of it-if I were a drink I would want to be green tea (okay maybe a diet Pepsi but that is not healthy so therefore exempt, right?). Green tea is a rich source of a type of antioxidant known as a catechin. The catechin in green tea called Epigallo Catechin Gallate (EGCG) has been shown to increase a specific type of immune cell. EGCG in green tea has been shown to slow the spread of flu virus in multiple studies. Another healthy component of green tea is L-theanine, which is thought to improve immune response, according to a study done at Harvard.

Carrots-Who doesn’t love to crunch on delicious carrots? Carrots are a rich source of beta-carotene which is a powerful immune booster that actually strengthens defenses against both bacterial and viral infections. Studies show that the more beta-carotene consumed, the greater the increase in protective immune cells, including those natural killer cells. Mangoes, papaya, oranges, melons and green leafy vegetables are also great sources of beta-carotene.

MMMMMMM-Mushrooms-White button mushrooms, which represent 90% of the mushrooms consumed in the U.S., enhances natural killer cells therefore promoting immunity. I love mushrooms sautéed as well as in a delicious salad-load up!

Blackberries, Blueberries, Pom Juice-Some of the best superfoods out there chocked full of immune-boosting antioxidants. Antioxidants protect and repair cells damaged by free radicals, making you better able to ward off infections and flu. Make sure the Pomegranate juice you choose is not full of juice fillers and sugar and to eat your berries raw and fresh rather than cooked.

Yogurt-When consumed, probiotics, the good live bacteria in yogurt and other bacteria fortified products, go to the digestive tract-the place where 70%-80% of our immune cells reside. When germs enter through the mouth they will be warded off when the good and healthful bacteria are encountered. On this note I would also like to say a plain organic yogurt (not loaded with sugar) topped with delicious berries is one of my favorite and highly recommended treats.

See how easy this is!! Hopefully you will have less flu’s and colds after incorporating these delicious and nutritious foods!!!

Bon Voyage!