Cold and flu season is in full swing and washing your hands isn’t always enough to protect you—what’s on your plate is just as important. Eating certain foods can help you stay healthy. These five foods will boost your immune system.
Citrus Fruits
Vitamin C helps ward off infections and citrus fruits are filled with it. Go ahead and fill your cart with lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits next time you’re at the grocery store.
Chicken Soup
There’s a reason why you’re mom always made you chicken soup when you were sick—poultry is high in B6 which helps form new red blood cells. Add in some kale or chard for some antioxidants.
Matcha Tea
Drinks can also boost your immune system—the antioxidants in green teas inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory molecules and they help your immune cells function better.
Sweet Potatoes
Mashed or roasted, sweet potatoes are an immune-boosting food that’s high in Vitamin B6.
Salmon
Salmon is a top immune-boosting food because it contains polyunsaturated fatty acids that help cells function properly and that promote normal inflammatory responses.