Dealing With Cold And Flu This Winter? Nutritionist Shares 5 Foods That Boost Immunity

The arrival of winter in India brings its own set of health threats and challenges for your immune system. To keep the infections, cold and flu at bay, your body will require its immune system and protective

qualities to be working at their optimum levels. To do that, however, our immune system requires essential nutrients and proper nourishment. The compromised dietary choices in your busy lifestyles often threaten the immune system, as it doesn’t get the necessary nutrition it requires.

For a well-functioning shield from all the winter health threats, it is important to give your immune system micronutrients like vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and antioxidants, apart from macronutrients such as proteins and healthy fats. Once your immune system is dense with these macro- and micronutrients, it operates at its desired best, supporting cell repair, regulating the body’s inflammatory response and maintaining a robust internal shield against winter infections.

According to nutritionist Dr Rohini Patil, Founder and CEO of Nutracy Lifestyle, one doesn’t need a complicated diet or supplements to acquire the right nutrients. Eating these five healthy foods could suffice for a healthy and illness-free winter season:

Citrus Fruits

Patil suggested consuming citrus fruits during the winter to get an adequate amount of Vitamin C, which supports the creation and maintenance of immune system cells inside our body. Foods like oranges, grapefruits and lemon aid the immune cells and help the body respond faster to common winter infections.

Leafy greens and Vegetables

The body gets sufficient antioxidants, apart from other essential nutrients, through leafy greens and other seasonal veggies. These antioxidants indirectly regulate the body’s inflammation and keep it in check by helping the immune system function efficiently.

Garlic and Turmeric

You get natural antimicrobial and calming compounds by consuming garlic and turmeric. Their anti-inflammatory characteristics slow down the growth of harmful microbes and nourish the internal irritation.

Yoghurt and Fermented Food

Such foods give you the right amount of probiotics, which support gut health and play an influential role in boosting the immune system. Since a large portion of immune cells reside in the gut, these probiotics strengthen the body’s response to seasonal infections.

Nuts, Seeds and Pulses

The body gets zinc, protein and necessary healthy fats with these foods. They give the ammunition required to protect the immune cell structure, while also assisting the enzymes that bolster the immune system. Get your essential dose of almonds, cashews and pumpkin seeds.