Preventing the flu means you have to strengthen and support your immune system. Diet can improve your overall health, but there are other things to take into account. Increase your flu immunity by resting, lowering your stress, eating correctly and using hygiene. Check out the list of top four super foods that can help you build that immune system.
Whole Fruits
Brightly-colored fruits such as strawberries, cherries, tomatoes, citrus fruits, cantaloupe and watermelons contain nutrients that can strengthen your immune system and help you fend off the flu bug, according to Joseph Brasco, MD. Most fruits contain rich amounts of the antioxidant vitamin C, according to Produce for Better Foundation. Lower your risks of developing the flu by eating whole fruits, not commercially-processed versions such as canned fruits.
Leafy Dark Greens
Leafy greens including Romaine lettuce, collards, Swiss chard, spinach, mustard greens and turnip greens can help prevent the flu, according to Joseph Brasco, MD. Vegetables contain rich amounts of vitamins A and C, both antioxidants that can strengthen your immune system. Eating fresh, organic vegetables will serve you the best. Choosing a variety of dark, green leafy vegetables will supply you with a number of flu-preventing nutrients including Omega-3 fatty acids, according to the World’s Healthiest Foods.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms contain copper, a mineral known for playing a role in the development of immune system cells. Mushrooms also provide rich amounts of B complex vitamins including B2 and B5, according to the World’s Healthiest Foods. Raw, crimini mushrooms provide very good amounts of the immune protecting-mineral zinc.
Salmon
Salmon can help prevent you from getting the flu by supplying rich amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids positively affect your immune system response rate. Wild caught salmon contain greater amounts of Omega-3’s than do warm water salmon, according to the World’s Healthiest Foods. Chinook and sockeye salmon varieties contain the largest amounts of Omega-3’s.