Thread: 15 Foods That Improve Immunity

Immunity is important to keep us healthier and away from sickness. We often link increased immune system to taking pills, vitamins, and supplements. The good thing is that there are foods that we can eat that does not only help boost our immunity but we will also enjoy.

Oysters
Packed with selenium, this tasty shellfish helps boost your body’s production of cytokines, a protein that’s known to ward off illnesses.

Yogurt
Yogurt that contains live cultures is rich in lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium lactis (read: good bacteria), which fight bacteria that cause diseases and raise your white blood cell count.

Green Tea
Green tea is a great source of L-theanine, an amino acid that triggers the release of germ-fighting compounds from your T-cells. (Green tea also helps to boost your metabolism.)

Oranges
One of the best sources of immunity-boosting vitamin C, oranges cause your body to produce higher levels of antibodies and white blood cells.

Crab
Like oysters, crab meat is rich in selenium, a nutrient that strengthens your immune system.

Garlic
Garlic is loaded with ajoene, allicin and thiosulfinates, compounds high in sulfur that ward off diseases and help battle infections.

Carrots
Carrots are crammed with beta carotene, a phytonutrient that increases your body’s production of T-cells and natural killer cells.

Spinach
The high amount of antioxidants found in spinach help boost your immune system.

Sweet Potatoes
Like carrots, sweet potatoes are loaded with beta carotene, which boosts your body’s T-cell and NK-cell count.

Mushrooms
Rich in compounds called beta glucans, mushrooms boost the production of NK-cells and T-cells in your body to help prevent infections.

Salmon
Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, which cause your body’s phagocytes to fight bacteria more effectively.

Kiwi
Like oranges, kiwis are high in vitamin C, which helps protect your body against infections.

Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are packed with vitamin C, which prompts your body to produce more interferon. This antibody covers the surface of cells and fends off viruses.

Broccoli
Broccoli is a great source of glucosinolates, phytonutrients rich in sulfur that stimulate the natural antioxidant systems in your body.

Barley
Like mushrooms, barley contains a high amount of beta glucans, known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.


I hope you like all these and can help boost your immune system the natural way

Very good post. You can also add Shrimp (low in fat, high in iron and zinc), Cayenne Pepper and soy beans since these foods also help improve immune system in your body.

Wow! I didn't know all of these foods help boost immune system. I love spicy foods and mikaela mentioned cayenne pepper (red chillies) are also one of them. Thanks for sharing viktoria, mikaela.

You're welcome sasa. I would also like to add Turmeric (helps generate more immune cells), oregano (high in antioxidants) and pumpkin (source of beta carotene) to the list.

It's funny, I eat all of these and not realizing it's benefits (except for crabs though). I knew they were healthy but I didn't know they also help boost my immune system. I guess that explains why I haven't been sick in months =D.

Good for you kathy. I'm glad this post helps everyone realize the benefits of these foods. Thanks mikaela for adding more foods to the list.