A healthy immune system is vital to your overall functioning. No matter the medications or treatments that you take, prevention is always better than cure. Thereby, consuming nutritious food is important for your immunity.
The Importance Of Nutrients To Boost Your Immunity To Covid-19
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The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends following a healthy diet to enable the immune system to fight the coronavirus particles that enter our lungs.
Although vaccines are now being distributed, the supply is limited. So the only sustainable way to guard the immune system is our diet. Healthcare professionals suggest eating food items that are rich in Vitamins, Proteins, and Minerals.
This article provides you with a list of all the important nutrient-rich products that you need, to boost your resistance to the Novel-Coronavirus-
Turmeric
Also known as Golden Spice, it is rich in antioxidants and has strong anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. The presence of a compound known as Curcumin is said to have the potential to fight off various deadly diseases.
Turmeric is commonly used in the Asian especially Indian diet but you can also try out its various recipes.
It has potential therapeutic abilities and not only fights the viruses but also prevents virus replication as well as their re-entry into the body.
Herbs
If you are looking for the simplest and most powerful source of antiviral properties, herbs are what I would recommend.
As we know, herbs have been used in traditional medicine around the world for centuries. Ginger, oregano, garlic, rosemary, basil, cinnamon, etc. are common kitchen herbs and consist of antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties.
Herbs boost the body’s infection-resistance, regulates the immune system’s responses towards viruses, and get rid of harmful toxins.
Also, read Benefits Of Getting COVID-19 Vaccine
Water
It is of course common knowledge that water has too many nourishing properties. But do you know the importance of drinking water for fighting covid? CDC suggests remaining well hydrated before you go for vaccination.
WHO also recommends the same along with limiting your sweet drinks for overall health. Water does not contain any calories and cleanses your body from toxins. It is also an important source of nutrient transportation.
Zinc
It is said to be the second most important nutrient after Vitamin D. Studies suggest that this mineral has high anti-inflammatory properties and protects the body from the virus by promoting the immune system’s anti-viral functions.
It blocks viral cell replication and prevents cold and other infections.
Zinc also works in the development of white blood cells of the immune system.
Meat, eggs, shellfish, chicken, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds are all high in zinc.
Other good sources of zinc are dark chocolate and dairy products.
Protein
Most of the food items that I mentioned earlier are also important providers of protein. Fish, dairy, and meat products are protein powerhouses.
Even though protein is commonly associated with muscle strength and weight loss, it also helps the immune system by boosting the T-cells, which are the core white blood cells of the immune system.
It tackles the harmful substances that enter the bloodstream and strengthens the body’s ability to fight bacterial as well as viral infections.
Lack of proteins results in fatigue and a weak immune system. Plant-based products are generally low in protein. So either you can intake protein-supplements or consume protein-rich food items to ensure that your body isn’t deprived of this nutrient.
Vitamins
Including an adequate amount of vitamins in your meals are an efficient way to increase immunity towards the Novel-Coronavirus.
Vitamin A, C, E, and D are not only beneficial for the production of antibodies in your body but also ensures overall nourishment providing you with beautiful skin and hair.
Consume citrus fruits and vegetables like lemon, orange, strawberries, raspberries, grapefruits, etc provide you with the necessary amount of Vitamin C.
Milk, eggs, carrots, sweet potatoes, and even cantaloupe juices flourish in Vitamin A.
Mushrooms and egg yolks are a key source of Vitamin D. Nutty fruits like avocados, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, etc have a high amount of Vitamin E and thus make a great choice for nutritious snacks.
You must now have an idea of the essential nutrients that you need to power your immune system. But note that eating just these food items is not sufficient to fight Covid-19.
The rising number of infection cases proves how quickly the virus can spread.
And you need to follow a few other measures to ensure that your body can utilize the nutrients from the food you intake without virus contraction.
Following are the few measures that you can practice for food safety-
Thoroughly wash your fruits and vegetables before eating. Ensure that you clean meat, fish, and chicken before cooking.
- Keep your kitchen and utensils neat and tidy. Use disinfectants to clean the surfaces before and after use.
- Arrange the glasses, plates, and spoons separately for each house member. Whether you or anyone inside the house is infected or suffering from a cold or not, keeping your personal objects separately is a great way to prevent virus transmission as these particles are said to settle on surfaces that have been in contact with the infected person.
- Use separate utensils to cook or store your foods to prevent cross-contamination.
- And most importantly, avoid eating outside or borrowing food to prevent virus exposure.
To conclude…
The benefits of a balanced diet are never-ending. No matter how much exercise you do and supplements your intake, your body finds its greatest strength in the food you consume.
A well-planned nutritious diet can enable the body to fight the virus easily. Research says that one of the main reasons behind the rapid spread of coronavirus is a lack of immunity.
You do have the option to use vitamin or protein supplements if you are too tired to make such nutrient-rich meals.
But know that most of the supplements include other added substances that might bring you unexpected side-effects especially if you are someone who is already suffering from a health condition.
A nutritional diet nourishes the cells and prevents any kind of deficiency. Individuals with healthy eating habits are proven to be less prone to diseases and infections and attain faster recovery.
You needn’t follow strict dietary plans to boost your immunity. Try out delicious recipes that involve these important nutrients as it would help you to have an enjoyable meal at the same time improve your physical and mental health.
Also, read COVID-19, Mental Health And How To Keep Yourself Busy
