December 25, 2019

5 Foods to Boost Your Immune System this Flu Season

Posted by Sarah Levy

Hack your germ-fighting superpowers by integrating the following immunity-boosting foods into your diet.

In our overly stressed and busy world, it's becoming more and more common to fall ill due to taxed immune systems.

So, this year, we're taking a preemptive strike against flu season by building our immune systems back to their former warrior status.

How?

We’ll be hacking our germ-fighting superpowers by integrating the following immune system-supporting foods.

Top 5 Immune-Boosting Foods

Keep Kale-in’ It

Spinach’s more popular sister for good reason — nutrient-dense kale is packed with immunity-boosting vitamins A and C.

Both vitamins have antioxidant properties, and vitamin C has been shown to prevent and alleviate infections like the common cold.

If chugging orange juice isn’t your thing, might we suggest an oversized kale salad to keep that immune system in check?

Don't have time to run to your local Sweetgreen? Our organic greens powder has all the greens you'll ever need (kale included!), plus it's super easy to mix and chug on-the-go.

This Root Is On Fire

Herbalists and Ayurvedic practitioners have long touted ginger’s immunity-boosting properties.

Most well known for its ability to soothe an upset stomach and quell nausea, ginger can also treat and prevent cases of flu and colds.

Research suggests that ginger’s anti-viral properties can fend off respiratory viruses (like those super contagious ones that tend to make the rounds during flu season).

Magic Mushrooms

Onto some next-level magic — mushrooms have been shown to enhance the body’s production of cytokines and increase white blood cell activity, which makes them more aggressive in fighting off infection.

For the greatest medicinal benefits, incorporate reishi, shiitake, maitake, and cordyceps mushrooms.

The Golden Child

We’ve touted turmeric’s extensive healing superpowers before, but it’s worth highlighting that those antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties do wonders to ward off infections.

Turmeric’s ability to reduce inflammation in the body is directly linked to its preventative powers — since chronic inflammation is linked to the onset of disease and health deterioration.

So here’s your golden seal of approval to order that $7 turmeric latte (or, if you’re a smartypants, get on board with healthy pill poppin’.)

Trust Your Gut — Pre and Probiotics

The healthy bacteria found in prebiotics and probiotics help balance your gut flora, which houses 70 percent of the cells that make up your immune system. And having a healthy gut supports an optimally functioning immune system.

So if you’re ready to boost that immune system to warrior status, chow down on these immunity-boosting foods, and let them fight the good fight.