10 Super Foods That Helps Your Body Fight Against Diseases & Infections

We can help our body in the fight against diseases and infections. There are some foods that helps the body to build up the immune system so as to combat any infection. Some of these foods are explained below;

Oats and Barley

Oats and barley are one of the best immune boosting foods. They helps build the body’s defense system. These grains contain beta-glucan, a type of fiber with antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities more potent than echinacea, reports a Norwegian study. When animals eat this compound, they’re less likely to contract influenza, herpes, even anthrax; in humans, it boosts immunity, speeds wound healing, and may help antibiotics work better.

Garlic

This potent onion relative contains the active ingredient allicin, which fights infection and bacteria. British researchers gave 146 people either a placebo or a garlic extract for 12 weeks; the garlic takers were two-thirds less likely to catch a cold. Other studies suggest that garlic lovers who chow more than six cloves a week have a 30% lower rate of colorectal cancer and a 50% lower rate of stomach cancer.

Citrus fruits

Most people turn to vitamin C after they’ve caught a cold. But did you know it tops the chart of foods that keep your immune system running at 100 percent? Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells. Some of the known citrus foods are grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes.

Almonds

When it comes to preventing and fighting off colds, vitamin E tends to take a backseat to the more commonly mentioned vitamin C. However, vitamin E is key to a healthy immune system. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it requires the presence of fat to be absorbed properly. Nuts, especially almonds, are packed with it. A half-cup serving, which is about 46 whole, shelled almonds, provides nearly 100 percent of the recommended daily amount.