With the increasing number of people contracting the Cornavirus, I thought it would be extremely beneficial to discuss immune system boosting foods. You may be thinking can you eat certain types of food to help you fight off the Cornavirus? To a certain degree, yes.

A balanced diet will enhance your immune system and help you stay healthy if the possibility arises that you are exposed to a virus. You can keep viruses away by paying attention to how you’re taking care of your body. No one bit of food will make the difference. It comes down to a balanced diet, getting adequate rest, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

I don’t know about y’all but I didn’t notice how many times I have the urge to touch my face throughout the day until these last couple of days. Germs are everywhere so there’s no way to completely avoid them. Especially if you commute on public transportation, work in an office, or travel often, you have to be extra careful. On a positive note, I’ve seen much more people wash their hands for an adequate amount of time in the bathroom. Yay personal hygiene!

There are a multitude of healthy foods that can help you boost your immune system naturally. I’ll be sharing ten scientifically proven foods to boost your immune system below:

1. Sweet potatoes

They’re full of beta-carotene, which helps increase T-cell activity (aka the cells that fight against infection). Plus, beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight off damaging free radicals.

2. Ginger

It helps decrease inflammation (most illnesses are caused by inflammation) and helps decrease nausea. Ginger may also  help decrease chronic pain and lower your cholesterol, according to a study done by researchTrusted Source.

3. Blueberries 

One of my boyfriend and I’s favorite fruits to pick up at Trader Joes. Not only are they good for fat loss but also they’re high in antioxidants, which help prevent damage to cells.

4. Mushrooms 

A mushroom a day is what really keeps the doctor away. I used to dislike mushrooms until I read about all the health benefits they have. Now I’ve found ways to prepare them that taste good. A study conducted at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences found that eating a four-ounce serving of shiitake mushrooms for four weeks greatly strengthens the immune system. It does this by helping the cell receptors that signal your immune system to fire up function better, and also helps reduce inflammation.

5. Oats

I disdain oatmeal but I do like to put a mix of oats and granola on my yogurt. Oats contain a special type of fiber called beta-glucan. Studies show beta-glucan helps infection-fighting blood cells. A study conducted in Norway reported that the antibacterial powers of beta-glucan are even more powerful than those of echinacea!

6. Egg yolks 

Many people associate egg yolks with high cholesterol. I once did when my cholesterol was high, but now that I’ve cured myself of high cholesterol, I love eggs! Egg yolks contain high levels of zinc, a vital mineral when it comes to controlling infections and boosting your immune system. At the first sign of getting sick, I always take a zinc supplement like Ziacam and it greatly shortens my cold. I’ve rarely been sick for more than 72 hours.

7. Citrus fruits

We all know oranges, lemons, and other citrus foods are perfect for preventing illnesses like the cold and flu. They are helpful because they are loaded with Vitamin C. Vitamin C enhances the function of T-cells. Oranges have the highest amount of vitamin C, followed by grapefruit, then lemons, and limes.

8. Red bell peppers

I love to add peppers to a lot of my dishes. They are full of vitamin C and beta carotene. In fact, red bell peppers contain twice as much vitamin C as citrus fruits! The other amazing nutrient in red bell pepper, beta carotene—helps keep your eyes and skin healthy.

9. Papaya 

Another fruit loaded with vitamin C. I’m providing you with so many choices for natural vitamin C. A single papaya contains 224% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C. They also have a digestive enzyme called papain that has anti-inflammatory effects.

10. Spinach

My favorite vegetable! I get through bags of spinach in just a couple of weeks. Spinach is rich in vitamin C, and packed with numerous antioxidants and beta carotene, which increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems.

Stay healthy! If you have any other immune boosting foods you’d like to add to the list—comment them below.