Immunologist Jenna Macciochi, representing Berocca, spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk to offer her advice when it comes to the best and worst foods to keep your immune system healthy. Your translation is strong no matter the season.
Your immune system is your greatest health asset and not merely protecting you against infection.
Research shows that it plays an important role in every aspect of your mental and physical health.
When it’s working properly, your immune system reduces your chances of infection and disease, improves your ability to recover if you get sick, and prevents unwanted inflammation and age-related immunodeficiency. and chronic illness.
According to Dr. Macciochi, oily fish is one of the best foods to be consumed.
“The red pigment astaxanthin that gives salmon, trout and seafood their pink color has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and through these and other mechanisms, astaxanthin may enhance and improve improve the way your immune system works,” she adds.
Dark green vegetables including kale, mustard greens, spinach, rockets, Brussels sprouts and sprouted broccoli should also be on this list.
“All of these vegetables provide a variety of beneficial micronutrients, such as vitamin A and magnesium, in addition to folate, a nutrient important in supporting methylation.
“They’re also high in phytonutrients and chlorophyll, which has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and stimulate the production of new immune cells from the bone marrow.”
As for foods that can destroy your immune system and increase illness, the five foods to stay away from, according to Dr. Macciochi, include:
- Foods with added sugar
- Ultra-processed foods – for example, foods that don’t have whole grains in their ingredients or contain long lists of ingredients that you wouldn’t necessarily use if you were to cook them at home
- Sugary drinks
- Foods rich in saturated fat
- Processed meats.
Source: | This article first appeared on Express.co.uk
