As dancers, our body has to repair itself regularly; your body’s immune system works hard every day to fight off disease and maintain a healthy, functioning equilibrium for your organs. To help maintain your healthy body and to keep yourself going for longer, here are a 10 foods that, surprisingly, help boost your immune system:
ONE
Yogurt…
is a natural probiotic, which means it replaces all the good bacteria in your system. According to a recent study, those who fueled their body with probiotics had 33 percent less sick days than those who didn’t. Eat up!
TWO
Garlic…
contains an ingredient called allicin, which fights infection and bacteria. Eating these cloves raw has shown to decrease the chances of catching a cold. Just make sure you freshen up after!
THREE
Chicken soup…
helps to reduce inflammation and thin mucus the same way cough medicines do. The amino acid cysteine, which is found in chicken broth, is similar to a chemical in an antibiotic that fights bronchitis. Now that’s chicken soup for the soul.
FOUR
Tea…
which is quite a soothing remedy for a sore throat, also doubles as a virus fighter. A recent study shows, people who drank 5 cups of black tea for 2 weeks had more of the immune boosting protein interferon in their blood than those who didn’t.
FIVE
Mushrooms…
promote white blood cell production, which helps your body fight off an infection. People have been using mushrooms as immune boosters for centuries.
SIX
Strawberries…
like citrus, come packed with vitamin C—a common cold remedy most people turn to when they start feeling sick. Vitamin C battles viruses before you even get sick, it also breaks down stress hormones. Whipping up a strawberry orange smoothie for breakfast is a great way to start your day (and it will feel soothing on a sore throat).
SEVEN
Brussels sprouts…
help nourish the thymus gland, which controls much of your immune system function. Eat two servings a day of these beta-carotene rich sprouts for optimal health.
EIGHT
Oatmeal…
is not only a great comfort food when you’re under the weather, it’s also pack-full of beta-glucan, which has antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities that are as strong as those found in Echinacea. Eat your oatmeal and you will notice wounds healing faster and antibiotics working better.
NINE
Carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash…
are members of the beta carotene-rich family. Beta carotene increases the number of infection-fighting cells and it’s a powerful antioxidant that helps eliminates free radicals, beta-carotene can also lower the risk of heart disease. So just remember…a carrot a day keeps the doctor away!
TEN
Dark chocolate…
(get excited chocolate lovers) is one of the best sources of zinc, which will decrease your risk of infection and promote the growth of white blood cells. Buy a dark chocolate bar if you’re taking a sick day, and treat yourself to a square or two. Just make sure you buy it unsweetened, because extra sugar surely won’t help a cold.
Let me know if these foods help you when you feel under the weather!
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