As we all probably know, citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit are high in vitamin C, a nutrient that is, like the orange juice commercials say, essential for immune function. More than just a salty summer snack meant for baseball games, Lofton points out that sunflower seeds are high in vitamin E, an antioxidant that can help protect cells from damage.

Blackberries are high in antioxidants, plant compounds that can help shield the body from environmental stressors and germs, says Lofton. They also contain fiber and vitamin C, which support a healthy immune system and gut.

If you eat a plant-based diet and are looking to up your protein intake for immunity function, Weiler recommends having a legume salad or a side of baked beans. According to the United States Department of Agriculture USDA , a cup of cooked lentils boasts 18 g of protein. The satisfyingly crunchy snack also has a high water content, which can boost hydration for immune and digestive systems in need.

Kiwi contains vitamin E and water, which translates to protection and hydration essential to all bodily systems. Blueberries are abundant in polyphenols, an antioxidant that protects against inflammation.

Brazil nuts are high in selenium, explains Weiler. Selenium, via selenoproteins and enzymes, has antioxidant properties that help to break down peroxides that can damage tissues and DNA, per Harvard T.

Chan School of Public Health. Additional reporting by Alisa Hrustic. Kayla Blanton is a freelance writer-editor who covers health, nutrition, and lifestyle topics for various publications including Prevention , Everyday Health , SELF, People , and more.

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Which Is Healthier: Chicken or Tofu? com Medical Review Board Prevention Awards Win. Skip to Content Health Beauty Fitness Nutrition Life. sign in. It contains flavonoids, an antioxidant that boosts immunity, and has anti-inflammatory properties.

When it comes to treating a common cold, ginger is one of the best foods for relief. Shallots contain as much as six times more polyphenols than some everyday onions. This is down to the quercetin content.

Quercetin plays an important role in helping the body combat free radical damage which is linked to disease.

Dark chocolate contains magnesium which is a vital mineral for supporting the immune system. Magnesium helps lymphocytes bind to pathogens so they can be removed from the body. Make sure to choose the very dark chocolate 80 per cent cocoa and over , to get the most magnesium and immune-boosting benefits.

With twice the vitamin C content of an orange and loaded with antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, kiwis are bite for bite one of the most nutritionally dense fruits in the world!

Various compounds from vitamin C and fibre, to carotenes and polyphenols, have been shown to be beneficial to immune function and all of these also just so happen to be found in a kiwi.

Many herbs and spices are known for their antimicrobial and immune boosting properties. Oregano is one such herb that is worth including in your cooking. It contains essential oils which are known for their antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal properties and could be helpful in treating bacterial infections.

What we eat can influence our immune system, with certain foods associated with lowering the risk of disease or reducing recovery time if we do get ill. As always, the bottom line is to choose fresh, whole foods as much as possible, and to eat a wide variety of colourful and tasty foods.

By including fewer ultra-processed foods, you can reduce disease risk and promote healthy immune function. Further reading: The 20 healthiest foods.

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Mindful eating is a way to be present, focused and tuned in to the pleasure of eating. This practice can also help decrease stress which can adversely affect your immune system.

As you sit down to enjoy your meals, possibly with friends or family members, take time to consider where your food came from, the journey the food took to get to your plate, its taste, texture, and aroma.

The practice of mindful eating helps us slow down, stay in the moment and reconnect to the food that fuels our bodies. Bon appetit! At UC Health, we lead the region in scientific discoveries and embrace a spirit of purpose — offering our patients and their families something beyond everyday healthcare.

At UC Health, we offer hope. For more information, call:. COVID Resources. You Are What You Eat: Choose Foods that Boost Immunity and Fight Infection Apr. Antioxidants — Green Tea Green tea is packed with antioxidants that have been shown to enhance immune system function.

Garlic — T-Cell Booster Garlic contains compounds that help the immune system fight germs in a variety of ways by stimulating cells important to fighting disease and helping to regulate the immune system. Zinc — Shellfish, Poultry, and Beans Immune system cells need zinc to function as they are intended.

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Beta carotene is a source of vitamin A. It helps to make skin healthy and may even provide some protection against skin damage from ultraviolet UV rays. Spinach may boost the immune system, as it contains many essential nutrients and antioxidants, including :. Vitamins C and E can help support the immune system.

Research also indicates that flavonoids may help to prevent the common cold in otherwise healthy people. People use ginger in a variety of dishes and desserts, as well as in teas. According to a review, ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties and is likely to offer health benefits.

However, more research is necessary to confirm whether or not it can effectively prevent illness. One review looked at whether taking garlic supplements containing allicin reduced the risk of getting a cold.

The group of participants taking a placebo had more than double the number of colds between them than those taking the garlic supplements.

However, the researchers concluded that more research is necessary to determine whether or not garlic can help to prevent colds. Green tea contains only a small amount of caffeine, so people can enjoy it as an alternative to black tea or coffee. Drinking it may also strengthen the immune system.

As with blueberries, green tea contains flavonoids, which may reduce the risk of a cold. Kefir is a fermented drink that contains live cultures of bacteria that are beneficial for health. Initial research suggests that drinking kefir may boost the immune system.

According to a review , various studies have shown that regular consumption of kefir can help with:. The majority of the research that supports this was carried out on animals or in a laboratory. Researchers need to perform additional studies to understand how kefir may prevent disease in humans.

Sunflower seeds can make a tasty addition to salads or breakfast bowls. They are a rich source of vitamin E , an antioxidant. In the same way as other antioxidants, vitamin E improves immune function. It does this by fighting off free radicals, which can damage cells.

Almonds are another excellent source of vitamin E. They also contain manganese, magnesium , and fiber. A small handful or a quarter of a cup of almonds is a healthful snack that may benefit the immune system. Oranges and kiwis are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is the vitamin that many people turn to when they feel a cold developing.

While scientists are still not sure exactly how it helps, vitamin C may reduce the duration of common cold symptoms and improve the function of the human immune system. For people trying to avoid the sugar in fruit, red bell peppers are an excellent alternative source of vitamin C.

Stir-frying and roasting both preserve the nutrient content of red bell peppers better than steaming or boiling, according to a study on cooking methods. That said, it is important to remember that the immune system is complex. Eating a healthful, balanced diet is just one way to support immune health.

It is also essential to be mindful of the other lifestyle factors that may affect immune system health, such as exercising and not smoking. Anyone who gets frequent colds or other illnesses and is concerned about their immune system should speak to a doctor.

In this article, we describe types of foods that may weaken the immune system and others that may help support it. Learn more here. What are the best ways to boost the immune system and can they give you enhanced protection against infections and diseases?

We take a look. While no drinks can quickly give the immune system a boost, staying hydrated and getting plenty of nutrients is essential for immune function. Elderberry supplements may help support immune system health.

The immune system defends the body from invaders such as viruses, bacteria, and foreign bodies. Find out how it works, what can go wrong, and how to….

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. The best foods for boosting your immune system. Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R. Your body uses and absorbs nutrients more efficiently when they come from whole food sources like fruits and vegetables, rather than processed foods or supplements.

Getting a variety of these foods and nutrients in your diet is essential compared to focusing on just one or two in large quantities. The more colorful your plate is with a variety of choices from the list below, the better.

Consuming foods high in vitamin C such as grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, sweet red pepper, broccoli, strawberries, kale, and kiwifruit are thought to increase white blood cell production, which is key to fighting infection. Beta-carotene converts into vitamin A, which is an anti-inflammatory vitamin that can help your antibodies respond to toxins, such as a virus.

Carrots, spinach, kale, apricots, sweet potato, squash, and cantaloupe are all great sources of beta-carotene. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, so consuming foods with healthy fats will aid in its absorption. A great immune-boosting combination would be carrots with traditional hummus or a spinach salad with avocado or olive oil in the dressing.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that is key in regulating and supporting immune system function. Foods rich in vitamin E include nuts, seeds, avocado, and spinach. Green tea is packed with antioxidants that have been shown to enhance immune system function.

It also contains amino acids that may aid in the production of germ-fighting compounds in your T-cells, which reduces inflammation in the body and helps fight infection. Green tea can be consumed hot, cold or as matcha powder.

Vitamin D can be found in salmon, canned tuna, egg yolks, and mushrooms. Your body can also synthesize vitamin D with just minutes of sunshine three times a week.

Yogurt, Kombucha, Sauerkraut, Kimchi, Pickles, Tempeh Fermented Soybeans , and certain types of cheese contain live cultures, also known as probiotics, which are thought to help stimulate the immune system to fight off disease.

The microbiome helps you process the nutrients described throughout the rest of this article, while also acting as an extra barrier for fighting off harmful bacteria and fungi. Garlic contains compounds that help the immune system fight germs in a variety of ways by stimulating cells important to fighting disease and helping to regulate the immune system.

It helps boost the production of virus-fighting T-cells and can reduce the amount of stress hormones your body produces which can help keep your immune system functioning at full strength.

Vitamin B-6 is essential in the formation of new and healthy red blood cells, and aids in maintaining the lymphatic system. Chicken, turkey, cold-water fish salmon and tuna , chickpeas traditional hummus , bananas, fortified breakfast cereal, and nutritional yeast are great options for consuming vitamin B Water helps produce lymph which carries white blood cells and other immune system cells through the body.

There are many foods with high water content such as cucumbers, watermelon, and celery. If you have a hard time drinking plain water, try a cup of green tea with lemon, watermelon, cucumber or mint-infused water for an immune system powerhouse beverage.

Be sure to pick up containers free of excess added sugar—plain varieties which you can flavor with cinnamon and fresh fruit are your best bet, but anything with less than 8 total grams of sugar is a wholesome option.

These grains contain beta-glucan, a type of fiber that helps fight disease by stimulating immune cells, research shows. Fiber in general also provides nourishment for healthy gut bacteria to thrive and thus support the immune system, Weiler explains.

This potent onion relative contains the active ingredient allicin, which fights infection and bacteria. In one study , British researchers gave people either a placebo or a garlic extract for 12 weeks; the garlic takers were two-thirds less likely to catch a cold.

Another meta-analysis found that garlic consumption may lower the risk of colorectal cancer. Selenium—plentiful in shellfish such as oysters, lobsters, crabs, and clams—helps white blood cells produce cytokines, proteins that help clear flu viruses out of the body.

The amino acid cysteine released from chicken during cooking chemically resembles the bronchitis drug acetylcysteine , which may explain the results. Lofton adds that one peer-reviewed study investigated how curcumin may be useful in preventing and treating chronic diseases associated with inflammation, and found that it has potential as a therapeutic agent for conditions such as arthritis, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, in part due to its immune-modulating properties.

Black tea contains L-theanine , an immune-boosting amino acid. Both black and green tea also contain catechins, antioxidants that have been found to possibly prevent the flu.

Zinc is essential for the development of white blood cells, the intrepid immune system cells that recognize and destroy invading bacteria, viruses, and assorted other bad guys, says William Boisvert, Ph.

Beef is a good source of zinc , as are milk and beans. She recommends adding pork as another zinc source in a balanced diet, be it a grilled pork chop or tenderloin. Almonds are high in vitamin E, containing around 7 mg per serving, explains Lofton.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can help protect cells from damage and therefore, potentially prevent illness. You may not think of skin as part of your immune system.

But this crucial organ serves as a first-line fortress against bacteria, viruses, and other undesirables.

To stay strong and healthy, your skin needs vitamin A. One of the best ways to get vitamin A into your diet is from foods containing beta-carotene which gives them a vibrant orange pigment , like sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, canned pumpkin, and cantaloupe.

Along with orange produce, dark, leafy greens like kale contain vitamin A and can help bolster immune function. On top of that, studies show that not getting enough vitamin C can actually impair your immune response and make you more susceptible to infections. The fermentation process black tea goes through destroys a lot of the EGCG.

Green tea, on the other hand, is steamed and not fermented, so the EGCG is preserved. Papayas also have a digestive enzyme called papain that has anti-inflammatory effects. Papayas have decent amounts of potassium , magnesium, and folate , all of which are beneficial to your overall health.

Like papayas, kiwis are a rich source of essential nutrients, including folate, potassium, vitamin K , and vitamin C. The soup may help lower inflammation, which could improve symptoms of a cold. Poultry, such as chicken and turkey, is high in vitamin B6.

About 3 ounces of light turkey or chicken meat contains nearly one-third of your daily recommended amount of B6. Vitamin B6 is an important player in many of the chemical reactions that happen in the body. Stock or broth made by boiling chicken bones contains gelatin , chondroitin, and other nutrients helpful for gut healing and immunity.

Too much zinc can actually inhibit immune system function. You may want to focus on eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh foods and whole grains, engage in at least minutes of physical activity per week, get enough sleep, manage stress with deep breathing or talk therapy, avoid or quit smoking, and limit alcohol consumption.

Preliminary research suggests vitamin C may be involved in the development and function of white blood cells. It seems vitamin C may improve the reproduction of B- and T-cells , which are important white blood cells for the immune system. The amount of vitamin C needed for increasing white blood cells may depend on the condition and overall health needs.

More research in humans is needed to better understand the link between vitamin C and white blood cells. To raise your white blood cell count , you may want to avoid alcohol and tobacco use, take Omega-3s and zinc, and eat a balanced diet.

For example, a study found that the Mediterranean diet had an effect on the white blood cell counts of adults at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Depending on the cause of low white blood cells, you may also need to take medications like myeloid growth factors. Antiviral foods may include fermented vegetables kimchi , fermented milk yogurt and kefir , herbs oregano, fennel, peppermint, and aloe vera , garlic, ginger, turmeric, black cumin, cinnamon, licorice root, mushrooms, and citrus fruits.

Some foods may boost your immune system while others will help with their antimicrobial properties. This means they may help fight bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that cause infections. Examples include herbs and spices oregano , cinnamon , clove , and rosemary , cruciferous vegetables kale and rutabaga , citrus fruits, parsley , and a wide range of other plant-based foods.

Eating a variety of vegetables may help you boost your immune system. Red peppers, spinach, and broccoli are good choices, as well as ginger, turmeric, and garlic. Eating all types of fresh fruits regularly may help your immune system function well.

Bananas, in particular, contain a substance called lectin. One study in rodents found that banana lectin may enhance the immune system. Fresh foods can provide our bodies with the nutrients our immune system needs to work correctly.

You need a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, herbs, and spices in your diet to enable your body to stay as healthy as possible. Good choices of foods to boost the immune system include citrus fruits, spinach, almonds, papaya, and green tea. Although eating a balanced diet is key to boosting your immunity, foods alone cannot and should not replace medical treatment, unless your healthcare professional recommends it.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. Consider these tips for choosing the right vitamins and supplements for your needs.

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A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? are immunity-boosting spices. Turmeric is a bitter, yellow spice commonly used in cooking. It contains curcumin which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on the body. Curcumin is an immunity booster and also acts as an antiviral.

A cup of kadha or decoction of these spices can improve your immunity. Yogurts, smoothies are some yummy foods that can increase your immunity. Probiotics are good bacteria present in your gut for digestion.

Low-fat yogurt and fermented dairy products are rich in probiotics which can actually boost your immunity and keep you healthy. These products also rich in proteins, fats, vitamins which help to enhance your immunity. Nowadays, the popularity of plant-based foods is rising for their highly nutritious contents.

These plant-based foods might be useful in improving immunity. Also Read: Do Eggs Have Carbs? Debunking Nutritional Myths. Button mushrooms are loaded with selenium and vitamin B complex, minerals that help to boosts your immunity.

A good mushroom-omelet loaded with veggies works wonderfully to boost your immunity. Whether it is chicken, red meat, beef, pork, or seafood all are loaded with proteins that our body needs to build and repair tissues.

When you have a cold, a bowl full of chicken soup feels like heaven. The protein in chicken contains some amino acids which help to form antibodies against infections. Shellfish such as oysters, crab are packed with zinc to keep you strong.

Egg yolks are full of nutrients that enhance your immunity. Egg contains vitamin D and proteins which helps to keep you safe from cough and cold.