The Best Superfoods to Help Boost Your Immune System

Your immune system is your body’s best line of defence for fighting off sickness and disease. Whether you’re young or old, your vital systems deserve all the help they can get when fighting off everything from the common cold to cancer.

Here are some of the most potent immune boosting superfoods to help you stay fit and healthy all year round.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has been a feature of traditional Indian medicine for centuries, and its rejuvenating and anti-inflammatory properties have led to its nickname – ‘Indian Ginseng’. Ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen, meaning it helps your body recover from mental and physical stress. By enhancing your ability to cope with stress, Ashwagandha helps the body maintain the essential connection between the nervous and immune systems, keeping them both in good working order.

Echinacea

We can thank the Eastern Purple coneflower for this powerful immune boosting extract. Native North Americans used echinacea to treat headaches and throat problems, but it can also increase your immune system’s ability to fight off all types of ailments. It does this by stimulating the cells in your body responsible for fighting off foreign organisms. Echinacea can help your body to resist all types of common complaints, and reduce the duration and intensity of colds and the flu.

Reishi Mushroom

Nicknamed ‘The Mushroom of Immortality,’ reishi is packed with antioxidants; complete with compounds that strengthen your immune system and boost energy levels. Reishi mushrooms are so potent that they inhibit the development of tumors, and have been used to treat cancer.

Spirulina

Spirulina is one of the best sources of vitamins and minerals on the planet, so it’s probably unsurprising that it has a range of health benefits. Spirulina stimulates the immune system, helping you fight all types of viral and bacterial infections. It’s packed with antioxidants too - so your body will be better able to reduce your susceptibility to disease by fighting free radicals.

Looking to add even more immune-boosting foods to your diet? Try combining Spirulina and Chlorella for even greater health benefits.

Astragalus

A real superfood superhero, Astragalus is referred to as the ‘yellow leader’ in Chinese medicine, thanks to its distinctive yellow roots and its unparalleled power to boost the immune system. Astragalus has been used to prevent illness for centuries, boosting antibody and antiviral compounds. Studies have shown that Astragalus demonstrates significant potential to prevent lung problems.

When combined, superfoods offer an incredible boost to your immune system, helping you feel your best even in the winter months. Packed with a variety of nutrients, vitamins and sometimes even adaptogenic properties, these prized foods can act like a natural medicine.

Find out more about how you can supercharge your health with superfoods here.