We are still in the throws of summer (apparently) but even when the sun is shining if you don’t keep your immune system happy, healthy and strong, bugs and colds can strike at anytime and knock you for six.
Despite the age old saying, it takes more than an apple a day to keep the doctor away but drinking plenty of water, getting lots of sleep, taking regular exercise, minimising stress and eating a well balance diet can keep you in tip top condition.
We have found some great foods that will nourish and revitalise your body, and give your immune system a serious boost in the process.
Chilli
As well as being fantastic metabolism booster, a single chilli pepper contains beta-carotene and twice the recommended daily allowance of antioxidant vitamin C. So ditch the sugary orange juice and start adding spicy, low cal chillis to your food instead. Oh and it’s pretty good at clearing blocked sinuses too.
Ginger
We love ginger. Not only does it keep morning sickness at bay and aid digestion but popping a little into a desert, smoothie or stir-fry can cook up a healthy sweat to get rid of that nasty cold.
Green leafy veg
Kale, spinach and broccoli are leafy goddesses rich in Vitamin C that helps increase the production of white blood cells and Vitamin K which has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. Pack with folate and photochemicals, they are best eaten raw or stir-fried with garlic, chilli and ginger to real kick.
Green Tea
Green tea contains high levels of flavonoids, antioxidants and L-thenine – an amino acid – all of which help your body produce germ-fighting compounds. If you’ve already got a cold, the steam from a hot cuppa can help to unblock congested nasal passages.
Garlic
Garlic has been used to boost the immune system for centuries. Not only does it contain vitamins B and C but it also has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that fight infections and the bacteria that cause them.
Onions
Not keen on garlic? Try onions. These pungent super-bulbs contain a powerful natural chemical called quercetin, which protects against infections and viruses, reduces inflammation and bloating, eases digestion and detoxifies the blood. Add to this the lowering of cholesterol in the blood stream, safe destruction of E.Coli and salmonella, and you have to wonder why we don’t eat more of them.
Red Bell Peppers
This red lovely is full of vitamin C that not only stands up to the common cold, but can also help strengthen your skin and increase antibody production. What a winner winner. Red bell peppers actually contain nearly twice the amount of vitamin C you will find in most fruits – including oranges – so add them to salads, smoothies or soups and let their goodness take over.
Sweet Potatoes
Not only are these babies bursting with vitamin A and beta-carotene they are also a great source of fibre and slow-release energy, which means your blood sugar levels are kept on track. Peel, cut into thick wedges, par boil and roast in the oven with a little olive oil and garlic for a healthy treat.
Tomatoes
We just love lycopene packed tomatoes because they aid the body’s natural defenses against nasty free radicals, which helps prevent the onset of cancer and other serious diseases.
Watermelon
This fruit is now going out of season but if you find watermelon on the shelves grab it because it contains the powerful antioxidant’ glutathione’ which helps the liver remove pollutants from our systems and makes us stronger.