Immunity Boosting Food!

With the Corona-virus pandemic looming over us, it’s easy to feel helpless and full of anxiety.
Suddenly those sniffles you’re feeling or that slight headache is a cause for concern. The best thing to do right now is stay indoors so that you can look out for yourself and your neighbor too!
We looked up some foods that you can use to boost your immunity and keep you healthy during this period.

Citrus Fruits 

Photo ℅ Kara Fruit Blog

Citrus fruits are always high up on the immune boosting foods list, if not the first! 
Some types of citrus fruits easily found in the Kenyan market are oranges, lemons, grapefruits, tangerines etc. Citrus fruits are great for your immunity because they are high in Vitamin C - essential for increase in of white blood cell production to fight infections and diseases.

Papaya/Pawpaw

 Photo c/o topinspired.com

Papaya is also fully loaded with Vitamin C and is therefore great in fighting off infections.Paw paws contain a digestive enzyme named papain which has some anti-inflammatory properties.

Garlic 

I believe garlic was God’s gift to us where food is concerned.  😍

It so effortlessly adds so much flavor to food. But that’s not all it’s good for. Garlic is known to lower blood pressure and slow down the hardening of one’s arteries. If that’s not convincing enough, then I don’t know what is!

Ginger

Photo c/o of stylecraze.com

Like garlic, ginger is a lovely spice to add to your food! Health-wise, ginger is great in reducing inflammation as well as nausea. Now you know the science behind the “Dawa” that you order at restaurants when you’re trying to fight the flu!

Spinach 🥬

Photo c/o of skinnymom.com

This one was a pleasant surprise!
Spinach has always seemed to be an enemy, especially when I was growing up. I used to find it so bland and bitter. It was literally the picture that was used in cartoons when they used to tell kids to “eat their greens”.  🙃
But as an adult, discovering cool ways to cook it has literally changed my attitude towards spinach. Imagine my joy when I found out it actually has immune-boosting properties! It is rich in antioxidants as well as Vitamin C. When lightly cooked, you’re able to benefit from its Vitamin A properties. It’s basically a win-win situation!

Yoghurt

Photo c/o Womenshealthmag.com

There there, don’t get too excited! I know you’re probably thinking that your immune system must be doing great because of how much yoghurt you’ve been taking lately. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it’s only a select few types of yoghurt that are considered immune-boosting. Plain yoghurt and Greek yoghurt are usually the stars of the show when it comes to this. These types of yoghurts usually contain live and active cultures which prompt your immune system to aid in fighting off diseases.

Tumeric

Turmeric is usually a star in curry dishes and is known for its bright yellow color. When it’s not busy performing in the culinary arts space, turmeric is busy helping in the healing of conditions such as arthritis and muscle damage due to its anti-inflammatory properties. 

This is a great time to stock up on all these foods that will prevent you from catching the flu but most importantly, keep your immunity up so that you can fight off any infections that you may be prone to catching.
Stay home.
Stay safe. 

-- Mwende Malinda