You are what you eat, and that’s especially true when it comes to your health. The best way to defend against infections, disease, or chronic conditions is by adding immune-boosting vegetables and other foods to your daily intake. These vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals, helping decrease your chances of heart disease, colds, infections, and diabetes. So, the next time you head to the store, protect your body with these six immune-boosting vegetables.
6. Carrots
Starting our list of immune-boosting vegetables are carrots. Carrots contain a high source of beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. The vitamin plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy immune system functions and helps fight off infections and diseases. They are also packed with other vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that all aid in immune health.
RELATED: 7 Healthy Snacks That Helped Me Break Bad Habits
5. Ginger
Fifth on our list of immune-boosting vegetables is ginger. While you may not realize it, ginger is a vegetable, and a very healthy one at that. Ginger can help decrease inflammation, which may help with sore throats or inflammatory diseases. The root can also help with nausea. Ginger can be used in many ways, from tea to seasoning on protein to even desserts.
4. Garlic
Next on our list of immune-boosting vegetables is garlic. The plant is an extremely popular choice when adding flavor to food dishes, and has also long been used for medicinal purposes. Early civilizations used garlic to fight infections, and it may also slow the hardening of the arteries. Garlic’s immune-boosting properties seem to come from a large concentration of sulfur-containing compounds.
CHECK OUT: 7 Gut-Healthy Foods That Aren’t Fermented (But Still Powerful)
3. Spinach
Rounding out the top three immune-boosting vegetables is spinach. A superfood in its own right, spinach can also aid in immune health. Spinach is rich in vitamin C, along with numerous antioxidants and beta-carotene, which can help increase the fighting ability of the immune system. The best way to eat it is when the spinach is cooked as little as possible to retain its nutrients.
ALSO READ: Eat These 10 Foods Year-Round for a Stronger Immune System
2. Broccoli
Second on our list of immune-boosting vegetables is broccoli. The green vegetable is packed with vitamins A, C, and E, along with fiber and many antioxidants. It is one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat, and the best way to keep the nutrients in the broccoli is by cooking it as little as possible, or not at all. The best way to achieve this is by steaming or microwaving the broccoli.
1. Red Bell Peppers
Last but not least on our list of immune-boosting vegetables is red bell peppers. A rich source of beta-carotene, red bell peppers contain almost three times as much vitamin C as a 100-gram Florida orange. Besides boosting your immune system, vitamin C and beta-carotene can help maintain healthy skin and eyes. You can eat these raw with a favorite dipping sauce, or cook them in a recipe, such as a stir-fry.
CHECK OUT: 6 Best Natural Detox Drinks to Help Cleanse Your Body