Did you know that your diet can help you fight infection? There are certain foods that are filled with antibacterial and antifungal properties. They leave your whole body feeling healthier, as your immune system can tackle anything the outside world throws at it.
But you need to get the right foods into your diet. Some of the best foods are those that you can enjoy on a daily or weekly basis. There’s no need to do anything special to add them into your diet. You just substitute a few everyday items quickly and efficiently.
Here are nine of the best foods for fighting infections. Make sure you add them to your diet right away. You won’t regret it.
Start with the Berries
Whether you want to add some mixed berries to the start of your day or prefer to eat one type of berry at a time, you’ll benefit. Berries are filled with antioxidants. Raspberries and blueberries are among the best, but they are all the most powerful type of fruit when it comes to fighting against infections and illnesses.
While many people believe that vitamin C is necessary for the immune system, it’s antioxidantsthat are necessary. Antioxidants help to fight against free radicals, which change the cells’ ability to repair and grow healthily. Berries have been linked to reducing the risks of cancer, dementia, and other diseases that are affected by the cell structure.
They also give the immune system a boost and are full of antibacterial properties. You’ll find that your body is able to get rid of the bacteria becomes a major issue. Cranberries are popular for urinary tract infections, as they help to support kidney function to remove the toxins from the body.
The downside is berries can be full of acid and natural sugars. You’ll want to make sure you follow a healthy oral hygiene routine to protect the potential acid or sugar build-up in the mouth.
Add Garlic to Every Meal that You Have
Okay, so you can’t add garlic to every single meal but try to add it to at least one meal a day. This is possible usually with the dinner at the end of a day.
Why is garlic so beneficial? Well, it’s been linked to fighting off bacterial and viral infections. Studies have shown that it’s useful in herbal remedies and it has been used in natural remedies for centuries. The chances are that those who prefer to stay away from medication have recommended some type of garlic drink to help get over a cold or the flu.
Garlic has also been linked to reducing high blood pressure and diabetes. Some AIDS sufferers have noted fewer severe symptoms. It’s not a replacement for medication but can help to manage side effects and symptoms.
While cooking it is beneficial, you will want to get it raw as much as possible. Eat it in between meals. Just make sure you brush your teeth before you leave the house to get rid of the garlic breath! If you’re really worried or can’t deal with chewing on a bit of garlic, add it to a salad instead.
Get a Daily Amount of Leafy Greens
Yes, leafy greens are one of the major superfoods around. You need to get them in your diet daily. This isn’t just because they’re good for getting your nutrients, but because they support every single thing your body does. Your immune system will thank you for the addition of the greens on a regular basis.
Really, it is the nutrients that help to support your bodily functions. The dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, and even book choy is filled with vitamin C, iron, beta-carotene, folate, and antioxidants. Your organs work as they should, as your body can remove the toxins naturally and easily. You’ll find that you suffer fewer symptoms of everydaycolds since your immune system can fight off the virus because they have a chance to take effect.
The great thing about leafy greens is that they are the easiest ingredients to add to your diet on a daily basis. You can throw them into salads, replace lettuce with spinach or kale in sandwiches, add them to your scrambled eggs or omelets, and even create dishes specifically around them. It really is up to you.
Use Apple Cider Vinegar on a Weekly Basis
This is one of those ingredients that you don’t need to add to your diet daily. Adding it weekly will give you a good start. It’s also something to use when you are feeling ill or have a sore throat.
Apple cider vinegar is full of antibacterial properties. It’s an acid and will burn away at the bacteria build-up in your body, giving your immune system something less to fight against on a daily basis. You’ll also find that the acid helps to reduce pain and discomfort, especially if you gargle it while suffering from a sore throat!
The downside is the acid in the mouth. You will need to make sure you follow a good oral hygiene routine to protect the teeth from decay. You can counter this by eating cheese after gargling the apple cider vinegar.
You don’t need to opt for apple cider vinegar on its own. It doesn’t have the best taste for everyone. Add some garlic to it or dilute it in some water. You’ll soon find that the germs and bacteria are long gone without even realizing that you’ve done anything special.
Use Ginger for Treating Stomach Problems
If you have a tummy upset, you want to consider adding some ginger to your diet. The antibacterial properties will get into your digestive system and fight against the reason for the pain, discomfort, or other dietary problems. It can also help to soothe discomfort from digestive tract issues, such as IBS and Crohn’s disease.
You only need a teaspoon or so of it on your food. You can also add some to hot water and drink ginger tea. This is commonly used for keeping nerves to a minimum and stopping flipping stomachs. Ginger biscuits have been known to help soothe nausea since they are light and get the infection-fighting elements of the ginger quickly.
If you’re pregnant, you will want to keep your ginger intake to a minimum. There’s no need to have it daily, and you shouldn’t have more than one portion daily. Studies have shown that ginger could be linked to miscarriage. The results aren’t entirely clear, so it’s not one of the banned foods during pregnancy.
Add Some Turmeric to Your Meals
Turmeric has been backed by science when it comes to antibacterial properties. It’s been linked to improving the immune system and fighting against bacteria build-up in the body. If you only add one ingredient to your meals on a weekly basis, make sure that it is this yellow colored spice.
The bright yellow/orange color of the turmeric is the reason for the antibacterial properties. The best thing is that you can get all the benefits no matter how you add it to your diet. Some people will add it to some water to drink it, while others will just add it to their food. You can also create a paste to cover open wounds and fight infection from setting in.
Did you also know that turmeric can be used for whitening the teeth? It can help to fight the bacteria build-up in the mouth to prevent tooth decay and tooth enamel removal. Yes, the orange spice will brighten your smile within weeks! Speaking of orange/yellow, you should also look into what are the yellow foods.
Turmeric fights against some of the most common bacteria that build up in the body. It is the most effective against bacteria that causes staph infections and common colds and illnesses. You just had to add it to your diet on a weekly basis, and you will notice the difference.
Not only do you get a healthier lifestyle, but you’ll add taste to many of your foods. Turmeric is especially great with curries and stirs fries.
Don’t Forget the Power of Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is definitely something you want to have on a weekly basis. Make it for lunch or batch make it for easier meals throughout the week. You definitely won’t regret it for numerous reasons.
Not only is soup easy to make but it’s warm. The heat helps to fight off infection since it forces your body temperature up to help the toxins leave your body through sweat. The mucus is released from your airways, which will help to reduce illnesses like pneumonia and bronchitis.
Let’s not also forget the benefits of the chicken in the soup. You’re getting more protein to help with cell and muscle growth. Cooking the chicken also releases the right amino acids to help fight against infections like bronchitis, so your soup is working double time without you doing much to help it.
On top of this, you have the benefit of the extra vegetables added to your fruit. You get far more nutrients and in liquid form. Your body doesn’t have to digest it all or break anything down, which means all the nutrients are absorbed easily.
Try to make your own chicken soup to focus on a better lifestyle and fight infections before they have a chance to set in.
Include Raw Honey in Your Diet
Raw honey was one of the first ingredients used for natural remedies. It is still used regularly for everyday treatments and herbal remedies. How often have you heard of adding honey to your tea or lemon water to help soothe a sore throat and fight off an infection? This is because of the antibacterial properties.
You will need to make sure you get raw honey. Any treated honey will lose many of its bacterial properties. You’re just getting the sugars, which aren’t always natural. This just leads to weight gain and a sugar rush instead of treatment.
Honey isn’t used as often anymore since science backs turmeric up better. However, this is going to be an ingredient that you find easier to add to your diet. Use it on your oatmeal and don’t forget about putting a drop or two in your tea instead of sugar to create a bacteria-fighting liquid on a daily basis. You just need one cup a day to see the benefits.
Replace Vegetable Oil for Coconut Oil
You’ll hear many health experts telling you to make a switch from vegetable oil to coconut oil. This is mostly for weight loss, but there are also antibacterial benefits. In fact, coconut oil is one of the most widely used herbal treatments for infections in the western world. It’s especially included in topical treatments for the skin and hair.
Coconut oil is full of antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. You’re fighting off all the reasons for illness and ailments. At the same time, it includes some anti-inflammatory properties, helping to keep the symptoms at bay if they do cause a problem.
You don’t need to add coconut oil to your food every day, but it is certainly easy to do. Use it in your cooking to get fewer calories and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. You can also add it as a topical treatment to protect open wounds.
Unfortunately, there is no science to back up the claims on coconut oil yet. This isn’t a miracle food, but it certainly shows some positives in herbal remedies—otherwise, it wouldn’t still be offered.
Add New Foods to Your Diet This Week
It’s time to make a change to your lifestyle. By a few simple substitutions, you could live a healthier and happier life. There are so many foods out there that offer antibacterial and antifungal properties. They will fight off the majority of reasons why you will feel ill, discomfort, or pain.
There’s no need to add all the foods at once or include them daily. Just adding them on a weekly basis will help to improve your health.
