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Though you can make sure that your immune system is in good health by ensuring you follow simple rules like washing your hands, drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water every day, taking a multi-vitamin and getting enough sleep, a change in your diet to include immunity-booster foods will add extra punch in your flu-fighting immunity system.

 

Yogurt

Yogurt contains Probiotics, which are the good bacteria that keeps your gut and intestinal tract free from germs which may cause disease. Yogurt is as effective in boosting your immunity system as popping pills. Regular intake of probiotics, present in yogurt and sauerkraut, improves your immune system as well as also helps in the process of digestion.

 

Tea

L-theanine, the amino acid, which is found in both the black and the green tea leaves,boosts the body’s immune system helping it to fight virus more effectively. Include this immunity boosting drink in your diet at least 5 times a day.

Green tea contains the potent plant antioxidants, polyphenols, and is therefore very effective in fighting cold and flu causing virus. In fact, catechins, a polyphenol, may even be effective in killing viruses. Add a little honey or lemon to blunt the bitterness of green tea.

Tulsi, used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of year, is packed with antioxidants. Take tulsi tea, to take advantage of its multi-positive health benefits which includes supporting your immune system and making it stronger.

 

Sweet Potatoes

Our skin, which is the most important organ protecting us from bacteria and viruses needs vitamin A to keep healthy. Eat foods, like sweet potatoes, that are rich in beta-carotene, which is turned to vitamin A by our body.

 

Fish

Selenium helps the white blood cells to produce cytokines, a protein that helps to keep flu viruses out of your body while omega 3 fatty acids fortify the immune system by reducing inflammation and protecting the lungs from respiratory infections. Selenium is found in abundance in shellfish such as lobsters, oysters, clams and crabs. Omega 3 rich foods include fish like salmon, herring and mackerel. It is also present in walnuts, flaxseed and leafy green vegetables.

 

Vitamin D

A daily dose of Vitamin D intake protects you from the common flu virus. Studies indicate that vitamin D helps the immune system cells to identify and also destroy those bacteria and virus that make you sick. You can get doses, albeit small, from fatty fish like salmon. Fortified foods like milk, cereals and orange juice are also good sources of vitamin D. For synthesis of vitamin D in your body, sit outside for sometime daily in the sun.

 

Chicken Soup

It is not without reason that we take chicken soup when cold and flu has taken over our body and is playing havoc with our health. Hot chicken soup keeps the mucus thin and induces runny nose which is good since the nasal secretions help the body to relieve itself off the pathogenic bacteria and viruses.Chicken soup keeps you hydrated as well as helps in raising the temperature of your airways which aids in loosening secretions. Cysteine, an amino acid released from the chicken when being cooked, helps in combating cold and flu and onions and garlic added to it increase the immunity boosting capabilities of the soup.

In order to make certain that you have a strong immune system, you need to support a good nutritional diet. A healthy diet ensures that your immune system is ready to perform properly whenever required. To know more about building up your immune system, click here.