The best immunity-boosters, are plant-based.

Immunity and top nutrient absorption should continuously be a priority. But it some how slips through our busy schedules and lives until well, a global pandemia teaches us otherwise. The importance of starting to perceive and choose all the food we eat as “medicine” is crucial and more popular everyday between wellness & health practitioners and of course: vegans and vegetarians.

Some of the best foods and tricks to boost your inmune system are common musts of any vegetarian’s diet. Here are of some of them:

Multivitamins and Supplement
These are some of the supplements you should ask your nutritionist to include in your diet right now: Aged garlic, anthocyanins (fruits and vegetable extracts, blueberries, cranberries), Echinacea, Probiotics, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Omega 3 fatty acids and Zinc.

Eat your seeds & fruits!
Citrus fruits and juices (such as orange and grapefruit), kiwi fruit, red and green peppers, broccoli and strawberries are all great sources of Vitamin C, which provides antioxidants that fight the free radicals related to immune system damage.Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant found in wheat germ oil, almonds, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts and peanut butter.

Carotenoids are also known to help regulate the immune system. They’re
found in carrots, kale, apricots, papaya and mango.

CBD?
Adding CBD to your diet provides anti-inflammatory properties and a healthier endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is related to body functions that allow
us to connect with our immune system. The stimulation of ECS through active
cannabinoids like CBD can also help in enhancing the balance and responsive
rates of the immune system in beneficial ways, specially for those with
autoimmune disorders.

Zinc boosters = immunity boosters
Even mildly low levels of zinc can impair your immune function as it’s responsible for producing immune cells. It can be found in baked beans, cashews, raisin bran, chickpeas and certain types of fish.

Probiotics
When it comes to probiotics, supplements can do the fast trick but you can also
get them from a probiotic-rich diet. Yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut and your
favorite probiotic-packed kombucha are all great options.

Article Sources

Kyo E, Uda N, Kasuga S, Itakura Y. Immunomodulatory effects of aged garlic extract. J Nutr. 2001 Mar;131(3s):1075S-9S. doi:10.1093/jn/131.3.1075S

Hughes DA. Effects of dietary antioxidants on the immune function of middle-aged adults. Proc Nutr Soc. 1999 Feb;58(1):79-84. doi:10.1079/pns19990012

Wintergerst ES, Maggini S, Hornig DH. Immune-enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc and effect on clinical conditions. Ann Nutr Metab. 2006;50(2):85-94. doi:10.1159/000090495

Simopoulos AP. Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. J Am Coll Nutr. 2002 Dec;21(6):495-505. doi:10.1080/07315724.2002.10719248

Gill H, Prasad J. Probiotics, immunomodulation, and health benefits. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2008;606:423-54. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-74087-4_17