Top 20 Best Immune Boosting Foods.........Now Increase Your Immunity!!!!

Everyone comes down with viruses and infections now and then but there are things you can do to help strengthen your body’s defenses and boosts your immune system. Add these immune-boosting foods to your diet and your body will have a better chance of fighting off infection and recovering more quickly.

1. GARLIC 

Garlic stimulates the production of infection-fighting white cells and boosts the efficiency of antibody production in the body. Eat garlic raw for best results.

2. ONIONS

Onions contain a powerful natural chemical called quercetin which strengthens the body’s defenses and may even help destroy food poisoning bacteria E.coli and salmonella.

3. HONEY

It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Studies show that honey can help with wound healing and fight infection. Choose buckwheat honey or Manuka for maximum benefits.

4. ALMONDS

Eating almonds can help the body fight off viral infections, including the common cold and flu. The skin of the almond contains chemicals which help white blood cells to detect viruses and to prevent them from spreading in the body.

5. OYSTERS

Oysters are packed with zinc, a mineral known for its role in wound healing and essential in the production of infection-fighting blood cells. Don’t like shellfish? Alternative sources include wheat germ, spinach, pumpkin seeds, cashew nuts and beef and lamb.

6. GINGER

A powerful antioxidant, ginger can aid in the body’s detoxification process and balance the immune system for proper functioning. Also ginger can switch on T-cells, a group of white blood cells that are capable of destroying cells infected by viruses.

7. OILY FISH 

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish such as mackerel and salmon, are not just good for brain and heart health – studies show they can boost our immunity by stimulating the activity of white blood cells too.

8. LINSEED OIL

Don’t like fish? No problem ...... Get your omega-3 fatty acids with linseed oil. Try adding a few teaspoons to a fruit-and-yogurt smoothie or use as a salad dressing.

9. YOGURT

The “good bacteria” found in natural yogurt can help maintain a healthy digestive system, and some may help combat harmful bacteria like salmonella and viral infections.

10. CARROTS

Fruit and vegetables are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, the body’s natural defense against free radicals that contribute to common infections, as well as heart disease and cancer. Orange-hued veggies, like carrots and pumpkin, are highest in beta carotene.

11. BROCCOLI

Broccoli is bursting with vitamins E, C and A - all powerful immune-boosting antioxidants. Stir fry a handful of florets with garlic, chilli and ginger, for a potent infection-fighting dinner.

12. MUSHROOMS

Eating mushrooms increase the production of cytokines in the body, cells that help fight off infection. The best immune-boosting varieties to eat are shiitake and maitake.

13. RED PEPPERS

Boosting your diet with vitamin C can help reduce cold symptoms by 23 per cent. Don’t limit yourself to citrus fruit. Red peppers contain almost twice the amount of vitamin C found in most vegetables and fruits, including oranges.

14. BLUEBERRIES

Studies show that compounds found in blueberries (pterostilbene) and red grapes (resveratrol) can significantly boost the immune system, especially when combined with vitamin D.

15. VITAMIN D

Vitamin D strengthens the body’s immune system and 'triggers and arms' the body’s T cells to attack invaders and fight infection. If you don’t get much sunshine, top up your levels by eating vitamin-D rich foods (such as eggs and fortified breakfast cereals and breads) or take a vitamin D supplement.

16. HERBS

Herbs, like sage, rosemary, thyme and oregano contain potent antioxidants. Oregano is particularly rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids – two nutrients that help to protect against the common cold, flu, fevers and indigestion.

17. BRAZIL NUTS

Brazil nuts are a good source of selenium, a mineral which helps boost the number of white blood cells in the body. Low levels of selenium are linked to an increased risk of developing more severe flu – so get your nuts!

18. TURMERIC

Curcumin, a naturally occurring chemical found in turmeric, can help the immune system fight off bacteria, viruses and fungi the first time they try to attack.It acts as antiseptic and anti bacterial

19. CHILLI

Capsaicin, the compound that gives chilli peppers their heat, can help the body produce more antibodies, which means fewer colds and infections. They’re also rich in antioxidants which help to fight infection.

20. AVOCADOS 

Eating foods that help promote the production of glutathione, the master detoxifier and mother of all antioxidants, is one of the best ways to supercharge your immune system. Tuck into avocados, along with watermelon, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, onions and asparagus.

23 Fat Burning Foods.........foods that will make you skinny

Some foods have a high thermogenic effect, so you burn calories just by eating them, while others contain compounds and nutrients that boost your metabolism, helping you to burn fat fast.

Keeping insulin low allows for the release of fatty acids. Fat cannot cannot be released when insulin levels are high.

Here are some of them.....

1. Chillies - Capsaicin, the compound that gives chilli peppers their heat, raises the body’s temperature and fires up the metabolism.

2. Oily Fish - Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish help to boost the body’s fat-burning enzymes and regulate metabolism. 

3. Celery - Celery has a slight negative calorie count, which means you use more energy eating it than it contains. Plus it’s full of fiber, so it fills you up.

4. Oats - Oats are high in soluble fiber, which lowers cholesterol and fat in the blood. And because they digest slowly, they don’t raise your blood sugar, and so keep you feeling full for longer. Even better, because they’re a whole grain, the body burns lots of calories just digesting them. 

5. Green Tea - Celebrated for its thermogenic (fat-burning) properties, green tea also contains the amino acid theanine which helps reduce stress.

6. Freekeh - Freekeh is packed with protein and has four times as much fiber as brown rice and twice as much as quinoa (so the body has to work hard and expend energy to digest it).  As well as acting as a prebiotic, promoting good bacteria along your digestive tract, it is low on the glycemic index – so keeps you feeling full.

7. Apples - Apples are high in the soluble fiber pectin, which helps limit the amount of calories your cells can absorb.

8. Chicken - When you eat something like lean chicken, your body burns about 30% of the calories it contains during the digestion process.

9. Brown Rice - Eat whole grains, like brown rice, and you’ll burn lots of calories just digesting them.

10. Cinnamon -  You only need to eat a quarter to two teaspoons of cinnamon a day to reduce blood sugar levels and cut cholesterol from 10 to 25 percent.

11. Low Fat Dairy -  the calcium, vitamin D, and low-fat protein in skimmed milk and zero-fat yogurt can trigger weight loss and help build and maintain lean muscle. And the more lean muscle you have - the more fat you burn.

12. Grapefruit - Eating grapefruit helps lowers insulin levels, regulating your blood sugar and metabolism.

13. Coconut Oil - Coconut oil is high in medium-chain triacylglycerols, a chemical compound that encourages the body to burn fat for energy.

14. Eggs - The body expends more energy processing protein than carbohydrates or fat. Eggs are a great choice-which actively reduces thr level of bad cholestrol in your blood.

15. Blueberries - Blueberries aren't just packed with powerful antioxidants. The fruit may also help fight fat. It cut the number of fat cells in the body by up to three-quarters, breaking down existing fat cells and preventing new ones from forming.

16. Watermelon - Amino acid arginine in watermelon enhances oxidation of fat and glucose in the body.

17. Chia Seeds - Chia seeds are very high in soluble fiber - which, in addition to filling you up, helps prevent the absorption of fat in the body.

18. Beans - Beans are high in resistant starch, which means that half the calories they contain are not absorbed. They also reduce blood sugar levels, and create the fatty acid butyrate, which may burn fat faster.

19. Pumpkin Seeds - High in omega-3 fatty acids, pumpkin seeds are believed to decrease the body’s ability to store fat. They’re also rich in protein, which helps to keep the appetite in check.

20. Avocados - Avocados are high in fat but it's the healthy monounsaturated kind that's easily burned for fuel during exercise and actually encourages the body to burn fat. Avocados also blunt insulin release and promote calcium absorption, both of which are important for enhancing fat loss.

21. Water - Water is excellent in weight loss.

22. Nuts - They are high in healthy fats, essential fatty acids, and fat soluble vitamins. They even have fiber and protein as an added natural bonus.

23. Broccoli - Broccoli is one of those foods that you can eat nearly an unlimited amount of and not have to worry about gaining weight.