6 Immunity Boosting Superfoods

17. June, 2020

Lifestyle

One way to support your immunity is to eat healthy, but adding superfoods to your meals can boost your health even more. Superfoods, which are so-called as they are nutritionally dense, contain a variety of nutrients that benefit your overall health. In this blog, we will discuss 6 superfoods, that are all in our Be Healthy Superfood mix.

Chaga

Chaga mushroom is loaded with impressive health benefits. It actually has one of the highest oxygen radical absorbent capacity scores of any food – the higher the value, the better a food’s ability to protect the body from disease-causing free radicals. It also means that chaga mushrooms are one of the best sources of antioxidants.

In animal studies, these mushrooms have helped to boost the immune system by increasing the production of immune cells. Research has shown that chaga extracts can stimulate spleen lymphocytes, which can then have a direct positive effect on immune system function.

This mushroom appears to have antiviral abilities when it comes to quite a few viruses. Scientific research published in 2015 found that extracts of chaga had an antiviral affect on human immunodeficiency virus. It has also been shown in animal studies to have antiviral effects when it comes to the hepatitis C virus. These mushrooms have been shown also to reduce inflammation.

Blackcurrant

Blackcurrants carry four times the amount of vitamin C as oranges, and double the amount of antioxidants as blueberries. C in helps enhance iron absorption to prevent conditions like iron-deficiency anemia. One study showed that blackcurrant supplements enhanced the immune response in people who exercised regularly. They could also train harder for longer periods of time.

In addition to its powerful abilities as an antioxidant, black currant also contains antimicrobial properties that could help protect against harmful bacteria and viruses.

Camu camu

Camu camu is rich in vitamin C, a vitamin that acts as a powerful antioxidant in your body and is vital for the health of your skin and immune system. One review found that vitamin C supplementation cut common cold incidence by up to 91 percent. Camu camu contains up to 3 grams of vitamin C per 100 grams of fresh fruit. However, due to its strong sour taste, it’s rarely eaten fresh and typically used in powder form. Since the powder has had all water removed, it contains more vitamin C per gram compared to the fresh berries.

Some research indicates that camu camu is effective in fighting inflammation and reducing blood sugar and blood pressure. We have used it in our Be Healthy, Be Active, COLLAGEN EDITION Raspberry’n’Cherry and COLLAGEN EDITION Buckthorn’n’Lemon superfood mixes.

Lemon

Lemons contain a high amount of vitamin C, soluble fiber, and plant compounds that give them a number of health benefits.Lemons are also packed with antioxidants. Lemons aid weight loss and reduce your risk of heart disease, anemia, kidney stones and digestive issues.

Chia seeds

Chia seeds are packed with antioxidants. Interestingly enough, researchers from Mexico recently uncovered that they have a total antioxidant concentration nearly two times higher than previously reported. In fact, the antioxidant activity of chia seeds was shown to stop up to 70 percent of free radical activity. Chia is loaded with fiber which acts as a prebiotic to provide fuel for the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Chia seeds are also rich in omega-3 fatty acid which supports optimal immune function.

Jerusalem artichoke

Jerusalem artichoke is a prebiotic food. By definition, prebiotics are non-digestible fiber compounds that are degraded by gut microbiota. Many human studies have demonstrated that consuming prebiotic foods can result in significant changes in the composition of the gut microbiome that help improve immunity. Prebiotics can help lower inflammation, which is believed to be one of the root causes of many chronic diseases.