5 Best Immune-Boosting Foods on the Planet

Nutrition

What we eat directly affects our immune system!

We now know more processed foods = more sickness and more plant foods = more health, according to a large body of research. Besides taking other steps to strengthen your immune system, what are the best foods to eat to protect yourself from illness? Find out below.

 

Cranberries

If you’ve followed me for some time, you know that I love cranberries! These little gems have so many amazing properties and regular consumption can make such an important impact on the immune system. Besides being very high in Vitamin C, cranberries also carry over 50 trace minerals to nourish any deficiencies you may have. These little berries are packed with antioxidants and compounds that neutralize invading outside estrogens and draw radiation out of the body. Cranberries are also the ultimate liver cleanser and can dissolve kidney and gallstones.

Cranberries also have antiseptic and antibiotic properties, which stem from their ability to conquer strep bacteria without the bacteria adapting to it. Cranberries have compounds that stop the growth of viruses and bacteria – making them the perfect food not only to fight viruses, but to prevent them from becoming an even bigger problem for your health.

Try consuming 1 cup of cranberries a day and watch your health improve! Here are some delicious cranberry recipes (check out more on my Cranberry Challenge highlight on Instagram):

 

Wild Blueberries

Wild blueberries are different from the large cultivated blueberries you typically see in the plastic clamshells in the produce section. Wild blueberries are a cousin strain to the cultivated blueberry, and contain many, many more antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and so much more. These smaller, darker-colored berries can typically be found in the frozen section of the grocery store.

Wild blueberries have one of the highest antioxidant levels of any food on earth, and are a powerful way to fight cancer and protect from disease. They are also a key player in removing toxic heavy metals from the body which overburden the immune system, and can heal the gaps that remain after the heavy metals leave. Wild blueberries are an extremely adaptogenic food, meaning their benefits will adapt to what your system needs – including reducing the effects of stress on your system.

If there ever is a food to start incorporating into your daily routine, this is it! I love putting wild blueberries in smoothies, but they are also easy to add to baked goods, breakfast porridge, and to juice or mylk in powdered form. I would suggest 1-2 cups (of fresh berries) a day.

 

Celery Juice

The mineral salts in celery not only nourish your cells on a deep level, they also assist your immune system and your liver’s personal immune system by strengthening lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell), according to Anthony William. Juicing celery by itself (without water or other ingredients) is the most powerful way to consume this vegetable/herb, as it works to restore alkalinity in the gut and body. When the body is more alkaline than acidic, it is more difficult for viruses and bacteria to grow. Consuming celery juice on an empty stomach daily purges the body of toxins burdening the immune system and restores alkalinity.

Celery juice also fights viruses and bacteria, reduces the effects of stress on the body, and has its own form of instantly absorbable Vitamin C to boost the immune system. When one is feverish and/or dehydrated, a glass of celery juice does wonders for replenishing electrolytes and hydrating cells on a deep level. Celery juice is a wonderful preventative way to protect your immune system, but also works well to help manage sickness. I would suggest starting out with 3-4 ounces first thing in the morning, and working your way up to 16oz or more in the morning.

For more on how to make celery juice and lots of questions answered, see this article. For more on the benefits of celery juice, I recommend the book Celery Juice: The Most Powerful Medicine of Our Time Healing Millions Worldwide by Anthony William and/or reading his collection of articles on the subject.

 

 

Garlic

Boasting antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties, garlic is one of the ultimate expellers of bacteria and viruses – and has been since ancient times. Besides powerfully boosting the immune system, garlic can be used as a useful remedy to treat sickness. Research shows that garlic is 100 times more effective than antibiotics when fighting bacteria. Although garlic is used to treat cystic fibrosis infections as well as antibiotic-resistant urinary tract infections (UTI’s), this study found garlic to be effective against almost all viruses and bacteria.

Garlic also contains a high amount of sulphur, which is one of the best oxygen-carrying minerals. Sulphur will carry life-giving oxygen (not to be confused with the oxidation process – two completely different things!) to the afflicted area. Bacteria cannot survive with a good supply of oxygen – and hence, the area is quickly healed. Garlic was used in both World Wars as an antiseptic and for wound-healing.

See more about garlic and ways to use garlic as a remedy here. I would suggest consuming some garlic every day – it is easy to use in sauces, dressings, and a variety of dishes. Raw has the most benefit, but better to have cooked garlic than none at all.

 

Ginger

This immune-boosting herb and spice is a powerful addition to your diet for protection and treatment of viruses and bacteria. Ginger is highly antiviral, antibacterial, anti-parasitic, and anti-inflammatory. Due to these properties, ginger gently but powerfully cleans the body of toxins while at the same time helping manage any effects of stress on your body. Full of trace minerals, amino acids, enzymes and coenzymes, as well as antispasmodic properties, ginger nourishes your system and relaxes muscles and tension. Stressful day? Sit down with a cup of ginger tea to negate the effects of stress – one of which includes suppressing the immune system.

Here’s my favorite recipe for a drink to sip on all day long with ginger. If you can drink this every day, that would be optimal! Ginger is also great to consume in other ways, such as in sauces, dressings, and a variety of other dishes as well as a seasoning. Just like garlic, ginger has the most benefits when raw, but cooked ginger is better than none at all.

 

A Plant-Powered Boost

Of course, there are many plant foods that will boost your immune system – these are just a few of the most powerful. Other plant foods to boost the immune system include:

  • Oranges/tangerines
  • Papaya
  • Spinach (and other leafy greens)
  • Kale
  • Grapefruit
  • Lemon/lime
  • Figs
  • All berries
  • Asparagus
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Rosemary/sage/thyme

Enjoy these foods as often as you can to build a strong foundation for a healthy immune system that keeps you in vibrant health, making it easier and faster for you to fight sickness!

Here are more resources for your immune system:

 

Cheers to good health!
Amber

P.S. If you want to learn more about your immune system and get tangible tools to strengthen it, sign up here to get 20% off my online course UNDEFEATED: Your Passport To A Powerful Immune System!

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. At no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from the sale of these products. This assists my work in supporting others on their healing journey to health.

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