The great philosopher and father of medicine Hippocrates once said: “Let food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be food”. These words couldn’t be more true in today’s world, where we have to contend with a myriad of assaults on our bodies and health. Stress from work and family commitments, a sedentary lifestyle and toxins from foods can wear you down. They eventually weaken your immune system, but there are certain foods that can help bolster your body’s defences. Here are a few. Garlic. Garlic has been used to treat a variety of ailments since Ancient Egyptian times. As well as being a great addition to most food dishes, garlic can help ward off inspections of the respiratory tract and acts as nature’s own antibiotic, because the sulphur and other compounds have a antimicrobial and anti-fungal effect. Chilli. These spicy little devils have immense nutritional value. Although it might seem to go against conventional wisdom, chillies have a soothing effect on your digestive system. The vitamin A, beta-carotene and the capsaicin (which make them hot) can also help to relieve coughs and colds. These fiery peppers can act as an expectorant and can help clear phlegm but, when eaten, they are also a natural painkiller. Live Yoghurt. Live yoghurt is one of the best immune-boosting foods you can eat, but don’t get confused and buy the sugar-loaded kind! The live varieties contain certain types of bacteria which contribute towards a healthy gut. These kinds of micro-organisms should be present in a healthy person, but poor diet, stress and some medicine can deplete them. It’s often said that health starts within your gut, and live yoghurt will certainly help keep it healthy and may protect against colorectal diseases. If you want to add some sweetness and flavour to your yoghurt, use a few drops of SweetLeaf SteviaLiquid. Oats. Would you be surprised to learn that that the humble oat does more for your body’s immunity than the herb Echinacea? The beta-glucan fibre in oats is full of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. A recent Norwegian study has shown that animals that consume oats suffer from fewer viral and bacterial infections. Of course,none of these foods are magic cures, but if you consume them regularly they will help strengthen your immune system, which means fewer colds, flu attacks and stomach upsets. Some of these foods also contain phyto-chemicals and anti-oxidants that can help prevent cancers. Remember though that you will need to eat a healthy, balanced and varied diet in order to reap the benefits of these immune boosting foods.
The great philosopher and father of medicine Hippocrates once said: “Let food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be food”. These words couldn’t be more true in today’s world, where we have to contend with a myriad of assaults on our bodies and health. Stress from work and family commitments, a sedentary lifestyle and toxins from foods can wear you down. They eventually weaken your immune system, but there are certain foods that can help bolster your body’s defences. Here are a few. Garlic. Garlic has been used to treat a variety of ailments since Ancient Egyptian times. As well as being a great addition to most food dishes, garlic can help ward off inspections of the respiratory tract and acts as nature’s own antibiotic, because the sulphur and other compounds have a antimicrobial and anti-fungal effect. Chilli. These spicy little devils have immense nutritional value. Although it might seem to go against conventional wisdom, chillies have a soothing effect on your digestive system. The vitamin A, beta-carotene and the capsaicin (which make them hot) can also help to relieve coughs and colds. These fiery peppers can act as an expectorant and can help clear phlegm but, when eaten, they are also a natural painkiller. Live Yoghurt. Live yoghurt is one of the best immune-boosting foods you can eat, but don’t get confused and buy the sugar-loaded kind! The live varieties contain certain types of bacteria which contribute towards a healthy gut. These kinds of micro-organisms should be present in a healthy person, but poor diet, stress and some medicine can deplete them. It’s often said that health starts within your gut, and live yoghurt will certainly help keep it healthy and may protect against colorectal diseases. If you want to add some sweetness and flavour to your yoghurt, use a few drops of SweetLeaf Stevia Liquid. Oats. Would you be surprised to learn that that the humble oat does more for your body’s immunity than the herb Echinacea? The beta-glucan fibre in oats is full of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. A recent Norwegian study has shown that animals that consume oats suffer from fewer viral and bacterial infections. Of course,none of these foods are magic cures, but if you consume them regularly they will help strengthen your immune system, which means fewer colds, flu attacks and stomach upsets. Some of these foods also contain phyto-chemicals and anti-oxidants that can help prevent cancers. Remember though that you will need to eat a healthy, balanced and varied diet in order to reap the benefits of these immune boosting foods.
