Plant-based greens powders These are an important and effective element in your immune armoury. Plant-based powders – usually including supergreens like wheatgrass, spirulina, chlorella, dandelion greens, barley grass, and pea and broccoli sprouts - provide protein, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, digestive enzymes, nucleic acids, essential fatty acids, iron, and trace minerals. These all strengthen your body and mind in many ways: toning
and supporting digestion, detoxifying the liver, building red blood cells and boosting energy, as well as countering cellular inflammation. Barley grass offers the free radical-fighting enzyme superoxide dismutase, while spirulina is particularly important for anyone following a vegan or vegetarian diet, as it is a good plant-based source of vitamin B12. Aged Garlic A must-have for a heart-smart diet, garlic actively lowers the risk of stroke and heart disease in a number of important ways: it inhibits platelet aggregation and therefore reduces the clotting tendency of the blood, boosts circulation, cuts levels of LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol, decreases homocysteine levels and increases nitric acid formation, which supports and strengthens the muscles surrounding blood
vessels. As well as including plenty of fresh garlic in your cooking, check out aged garlic supplements, which are a concentrated type of garlic that has been shown to thin the blood and lower blood pressure. Research suggests aged garlic supplements may also enhance immune cell function and help reduce the severity of colds and flu.
Legumes Ah, lentils, chickpeas and kidney beans, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways. Legumes support immunity and provide an excellent source of fibre, which balances blood sugar and prevents hypoglycaemic spikes, keeps blood pressure in check and lowers total cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as protein for a vegan- or vegetarian-friendly diet. Leafy Greens It is easy being green – and it’s a quick and tasty way to up your immune power. Our favourites include spinach, which can reduce blood pressure by up to a quarter, thanks to its potassium content, along with kale, watercress, Swiss chard, bok choy and microgreens like broccoli sprouts. All leafy greens support immune health by ensuring the body has ample supplies of antioxidants, fibre, iron, magnesium and calcium, which all work together to support optimal brain, nerve, cardiovascular and digestive function, as well as strengthen bones and counter stress.
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