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Top 10 Foods to Boost Your Immunity

In the fast-paced lives that we live, we often forget to take steps towards improving our health but focus more on improving our lifestyle by adding technological aids, comfort, and pleasure. What is more important rather than these worldly things is your own health and immunity, which helps you in combating diseases, infections, and major health ailments.

Both western medicine and Indian Ayurvedic medicine promote the use of Ayurvedic Immunity Booster foods that are present around us by simply adding them to our daily food habits.

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What is Immunity?

Immunity is the ability of the body to combat any attack by bacteria and viruses that try to weaken and invade our healthy cells. Immunity is of 4 types:

1. Passive Immunity

Passive immunity is achieved from the mother’s immunity when you are in the womb. This is the first-ever kind of immunity that a human has and weakens as he/she grows. Passive immunity is passed on by the placenta when we are still in the womb and up until a year when fed with breast milk.

2. Innate Immunity

Innate immunity is the remnant of passive immunity: the immunity one develops from the consumption of healthy food and lifestyle. This is the best kind of immunity as it helps combat any attack from outside on our body.

3. Adaptive Immunity

Adaptive immunity is what a person develops once he adapts to the environment and when the body grows and adapts to new situations and locations. This usually occurs when you are exposed to germs and microbes that constantly attack you, where your body develops antibodies against it naturally.

4. Immunization Immunity

Immunization immunity is acquired when a person gets vaccinated for a specific disease control such as smallpox, measles, etc. This method introduces weak pathogens into the body so that the body can produce antibodies in response to it for future attacks.

Boosting Your Immunity

Immunity can be boosted naturally by consuming food that is rich in anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory in nature. These foods imbibe the ability to fight infections from within. Below is a list of Ayurvedic immunity booster foods that can improve your immunity naturally:

1. Tulsi

Tulsi is an iconic Ayurvedic herb that has the best effect on our immunity. It is by nature anti-bacterial and kills germs in anything you use it in. Chewing a few tulsi leaves every day is a huge immunity boost.

2. Turmeric

immunity booster foods - Turmeric

Turmeric is the traditional Indian spice with the powerful ingredient Curcumin, which is acclaimed to combat deadly diseases such as Cancer. Turmeric can be added to anything you eat to destroy germs and make your food healthy.

3. Ginger

Ginger is a root and is a powerful anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory food. Adding ginger to tea, curries, and pastes can make healing faster and is very helpful with colds and congestion symptoms. Ginger extracts are used to clear throat infections and provide immunity to fever and flu.

4. Garlic

immunity booster foods

Garlic is a very common curry additive that makes everything tasty. It is highly useful to avoid infections with regard to skin and nails. Eating a pod of garlic every day can boost your health and give you healthy skin and nails.

5. Spices (Cloves, Cardamoms, and Cinnamon)

immunity booster foods - Cloves

The 3 C’s of the spice world, Cloves, Cinnamon, and Cardamom, are excellent spices that fight flu and other infections in the respiratory and Gastrointestinal tract. Including these spices in everyday cooking can boost your immunity and improve your overall health.

6. Vitamin C Rich Fruits

immunity booster foods - Citrus Fruit

Citrus fruits and vegetables can enable your immunity by providing plenty of antibodies in the blood and improving the anti-oxidants in the body. They combat signs of cold, fever and help in improving your ability to avoid infections.

7. Green Leafy vegetables

Green leaves such as Spinach, Coriander, Mint, Fenugreek leaves, Moringa leaves, etc., are great for your immunity. They have vital nutrients and Vitamins that help prevent diseases and improve your gut health. The fiber in these leaves improves digestion and provides stronger gut health.

8. Ghee

Ghee is a powerhouse of energy. Ghee helps in burning energy and keeping you active and fit. Ghee has healthy fats that provide excellent bone health.

9. Probiotics

Probiotics are found in fermented food with healthy microbes, and they are one of the best sources of avoiding unhealthy germs as they become natural antibodies that provide a healthy gut.

10. Neem

immunity booster foods - Neem

Although inedible, neem leaves can be used as oil for hair, body and as incense for inhalation around the house. It helps to cleanse the air and provide a bacteria-free environment around you.

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