Six delicious immune-boosting foods that you’ll love

Our immune system works to defend our bodies against disease-causing microorganisms, and with the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we need to amplify our natural defences.

Some immune-boosting foods don’t appeal to everybody’s taste pallet but opting for delicious options will encourage you to consume more foods that will save you from life-threatening diseases.

Here are six immune-boosting foods that you probably already enjoy eating.

You rarely meet people who say they don’t like the taste of watermelons. Ripe watermelons are juicy and filled with delicious nectar. They are packed with potassium, vitamins A, C and B6. An additional component of watermelons is ‘glutathione’ which helps with proper immune function.

Yoghurt makes for a great midday snack. The best type of yoghurt that will give your immune system a boost is plain Greek yoghurt with ‘cultures’ as part of the ingredients. Yoghurt is a great source of vitamin D, which helps regulate the immune system. If you prefer flavoured yoghurt, you can sweeten it with fruits and a little honey.

Some people may find dark chocolate too bitter to enjoy, but it’s better than eating no chocolate at all! Dark chocolate contains ‘theobromine’, which is an antioxidant. Free radicals are molecules which can damage body cells, making the body more vulnerable to disease. Theobromine helps fight these free radicals and protect the body.

Papayas are packed with vitamin C which is essential for fighting off diseases. One papaya fruit has more than enough vitamin C (200%+) than your required daily intake. Papayas are more versatile than you may think. Other than eating them on their own or in a fruit salad, they can be incorporated into savoury salads, hot meals and soups.

Pomegranate juice is a delicious, vitamin-rich beverage. It has powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties thanks to vitamins C, E and K that it contains. You can opt for a homemade version of pomegranate juice, but whenever you buy a readymade one, check the ingredients list to ensure that it is pure with no added sugars and harmful preservatives.

Eggs can be eaten with pretty much anything and at almost any time of the day. They are sometimes avoided because of the high level of cholesterol in the yolks. However, when eaten moderately, they help regulate and strengthen the immune system as they have a high amount of vitamin D. If you want to enjoy your eggs without the fear of cholesterol, separate the egg yolk from the white before cooking it.