Top 7 Immunity-boosting Superfoods

The signs of a struggling immune system must never be ignored. The easiest and most effective way to strengthen your immune system is to feed it with the nutrients it needs to help it function at peak performance.Start eating the following superfoods om a regular basis -and be prepared to be Surprised by how quickly our health will improve.

1.Honey

:Potent properties

antimicrobial, antioxidant, antimicrobial and gyroscopic (helps with tissue healing and regeneration).Since the dawn of history, honey has been known for its near-miraculous medicinal properties. Among other things, it was used to cure coughs and digestive disorders, treat skin problems, and was used as an ointment to promote wound healing.

Honey is packed with minerals and essential vitamins. That promotes immune system healing and regeneration. This delicious natural sweetener works in tandem with your immune system to eliminate free radicals, kill harmful bacteria and promote overall rejuvenation of cells and tissues.

Studies have found that consuming a small amount of honey daily strengthens the immune system and enables it to quickly fight infections. It also helps the body to heal faster.

 In many cultures, honey is often recommended to patients recovering from surgery to promote faster healing of tissues and reduce scarring.Honey is also a great cure for chronic diarrhea and other digestive issues, sore throat, cough and helps relieve acid reflux.

All of these conditions are relayed to a weak immune system.

Note: The darker color of the honey, the more antioxidants and disease-fighting properties it contains

 Raw honey is also more potent and better-tasting than processed honey, which is heated and filtered, making it lose some of its potent properties.

Best Practice: One tablespoon of honey each day is all you need to boost your immunity and enjoy all the other benefits of this natural energy source. It is best taken in a glass of lukewarm water or in a herbal tea first thing in the morning. You can also increase your intake of honey moderately by using a teaspoonful as a sweetener in beverages or a delicious topping for on yogurt, oatmeal, or fresh fruit

2.Mushrooms

Potent properties: 

Immune stimulant, immuno-modulator,antibacterial, antimicrobial.An occasional cold, minor injury or insect bite is actually good for you. It exercises the immune system and keeps it strong, alert, and ready to combat more serious infections should they occur.The seemingly mundane mushroom is an immune stimulant, meaning that it acts as an energizer that exercises the immune system and gives it a good "workout" without you actually getting sick. In fact, making mushrooms a regular part of your diet can boost your immune system by a whopping 300 percent.The potent antibacterial agents contained in mushrooms also help fight viruses, bacteria, and fungi and they are a good source of essential minerals needed by the immune system.

While all types of mushrooms contain essential immunity-boosters, the following types are especially potent:

• Maitake mushrooms: The American Cancer Association has listed this mushroom as a top immunity strengthening food that also helps fight the growth of cancer cells. Maitake mushrooms can be found in most high-end supermarkets and health food stores

.•Reishi mushrooms: This mushroom is recognized by the Japanese government as an effective cancer treatment. It is packed with a number of cancer-fighting substances that have been known to treat prostate cancer and several types of tumors. It's also very effective in alleviating bronchitis and asthma.

•Shitake mushrooms: Another potent pathogen-killer that destroys many types of viruses and bacteria. The great news is that shitake mushrooms are available at most grocery stores.•Lion's mane mushrooms: They have been used for centuries in Chinese medicine as super-powerful immunity boosters. They are also a great "brain food" that promotes cognitive function, focus and memory.Overall, mushrooms are also packed with essential minerals like copper and selenium, which balance and promote immune system health. They also prevent high blood pressure, breast and prostate cancer, and are excellent for heart health.

Best practice: A half-cup every day is all you need to reap allthe benefits of mushrooms. They are so versatile that they can be added to almost any dish, either on their own or incorporated into soups.

.3.Oranges

Potent properties: Antioxidant, antibacterial, vitamin C When we think oranges, we immediately think vitamin C, the best protection against cold and flu. Oranges are possibly the highest food in vitamin C concentration. One medium orange will provide your body with 162 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.In addition to being a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals, vitamin C also strengthens the immune system by promoting the production of white blood cells. White blood cells are the immune system's key weapons in fighting infections. Oranges also contain other substances that are important for immune system function such as

Note: Citrus fruits in general contain vitamin C so if you don’t like oranges, you can opt for lemons, limes, grapefruit

mandarins or tangerines. It's best to consume them fresh in juices or peeled and eaten raw.Best practice: Don't wait till you get sick then overload your body with orange juice. Instead, make it part of your daily diet. Fresh orange juice should always be your first choice over canned or frozen. One glass in the morning and another in the evening will supercharge your immune system like nothing else. If you love oranges, do eat them as well as often as possible, or alternate them with other citrus fruits. They make great snacks and healthy desserts.

4. Sweet Potatoes 

Potent properties: Beta-carotene, vitamin A, antioxidants 

when was the last time you ate sweet potatoes? 

Sadly, sweet potatoes are not high on our list of regularly consumed foods. But they rank high on the list of immunity-boosting superfoods.The much-neglected sweet potato is packed with vitamin A, which the immune system requires in order to function optimally, as it promotes the active disease-fighting white blood cells. Just one sweet potato gives you 400 percent of the required daily intake of vitamin A!

Sweet potatoes also boost resistance to infections. They contain beta-carotene and antioxidants, both of which destroy harmful free radicals.With regards to overall health, sweet potatoes fight and alleviate chronic inflammations like arthritis and asthma. They are thought to prevent colon cancer and heart attack and stroke. 

Best practice: It's recommended that you eat a half cup of boiled sweet potatoes every day, or a whole boiled or baked sweet potato every other day. They are delicious and filling, so making them a regular item on your diet should not be a chore!

5. Fish

Potent properties: Omega-3 Fatty acids 

Fish is packed with healthy Omega-3 fats, which improve immunity by promoting production and activity of white blood cells. In addition to strengthening the immune system, this superfood is just plain healthy in so many ways. Some of these health benefits include:

•Reduces risk of stroke and heart attack

•Contains nutrients that promote brain health

•Promotes longevity

•Decreases the risk of autoimmune disease

•Improves eyesight

•Improves sleepBear

 in mind that not all fish are created equal. For maximum immune-boosting benefits, make sure you eat the following types of fish

:•Wild salmon

•Mackerel

•Tuna

•Oysters (not technically a fish but are great for promoting immune system function)

•Char

•Cod

•Rainbow trout

•Halibut

•Sardines

Note: If fish is not an option for you, fish oil supplements are a great alternative. Research findings indicate that fish oil improves the immune system response and increases white blood cell production. 

Best practice: To keep your immune system strong and healthy, you should eat fish twice or three times a week -or everyday, if you love it! It's simply the healthiest source of protein that you can put into your body.

6. Garlic

Potent properties: antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral,antibiotic.Raw garlic has been used for centuries as a powerful medicinal herb. 

It's anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties are so potent that it is called a natural antibiotic. Perhaps the most potent immunity-boosting compound found in garlic is allice , a powerful antibacterial that prevents blood clotting, lowers cholesterol, and kills bacteria.

It has also been known to stop the growth of certain cancers. Naturally, its properties make it a powerful immunity booster and help your body to ward off illness and infection. 

The regular consumption of garlic helps your body fight almost any kind of infection. The list includes common cold, flu viruses, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and infected wounds. It is also believed to prevent certain types of cancer. A recent study showed that the daily consumption of raw garlic lowered the number of colds by 63 percent and lessened cold symptoms by 70 percent. This is reason enough to fall in love with garlic!  

Garlic has been proven to lower cholesterol levels.

 High cholesterol can cause the immune system to become sluggish and weak.More importantly, eating garlic on a daily basis will protect you from getting sick in the first place.

 You will notice that you get fewer colds and sore throats, fewer gum, ear and nose infections and recovery from injuries or surgery will be much faster.

Best practice: One or two cloves of raw garlic daily will leave you amazed at the results. 

The cloves can be finely chopped and swallowed down with a glass of water. If you have a liking for garlic, that's even better. Make it a habit to use fresh garlic in your meals.

7. Chicken Soup

Potent properties: Antiviral, antibiotic, antimicrobial. 

Our mothers and grandmothers can teach us a thing or two about good immune system health. 

 Remember that big, fragrant pot of chicken soup your mom would make when someone was in bed with a cold? Well, it's just what the doctor ordered! 

Nothing can help you get over a bad bout of flu faster than homemade chicken soup. 

Chicken soup gives your immune system a hefty dose of protein, calcium, B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc. 

 These ingredients work together to rev up the immune system and keep it going strong. 

When you are sick, it speeds up healing by keeping you hydrated and nourished.

Best practice: If you are sick, have chicken soup several times a day to alleviate runny nose, congestion, cough, and other cold and flu symptoms. 

 But don’t wait till you get sick to have chicken soup. 

 A bowl of this superfood twice or three times a week will help maintain your immune system to ward off potential colds and flu.Remember, the keyword here is "homemade". Soup in a can is easier to prepare but is not as effective due to all the preservatives and additives it contains –plus, it just doesn't taste as good. Make your own soup using your favorite ingredients and vegetables and enjoy its full benefits and delicious taste.All of these superfoods can also be combined to become super superfoods to keep your immune system functioning at its peak.

For example, you can add a spoonful of honey to orange juice fora delicious energy drink.

 Fish with a garlic-herb sauce and a side helping of sweet potatoes make for a delicious dinner. 

Sweet potatoes topped with honey make a satisfying and healthy dessert or breakfast. Mushrooms can be a tasty addition to chicken soup or served with fish.

The combinations are endless. So, get creative and come up with combinations of recipes where you can incorporate these foods to your best advantage.

The bottom line: The great things about these superfoods is that they are versatile, tasty and liked by most people. They can be combined into dishes, eaten on their own, or combined so that they never get boring or bland.When consumed regularly, the immune-boosting properties of these superfoods will immediately kick in. 

If you are experiencing symptoms of a weak immune system, they will start to disappear within just a few weeks. You will have more energy, get sick less often, sleep better, and look better, all because of a few simple changes in your diet. How amazing is that?