Immune-Boosting Winter Foods and Supplement Pairings The weather has turned colder and flu and infections are thriving. Winter is the time when our immunity is at its lowest, therefore it is important to ensure our immune system is ready for a fight -- unless you want to be stuck in bed with the sniffles all winter long. The intricate network of cells, procedures, and substances that make up our immune system works around the clock to protect your body from harmful substances like bacteria, toxins, and viruses. Studies have indicated that combining a balanced diet with supplements containing specific vitamins, minerals, herbs, etc. may strengthen the immune system and even prevent disease. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to boost your immunity, including tweaking your diet and consuming certain supplements. Let’s look at how your diet and certain supplements can affect your ability to stay healthy and explore some of the best foods for immune health. VITAMINS & MINERALS BENEFITS SOURCES Vitamin D Bone Mineralization Calcium Absorption Immune Function Fish like tuna & salmon Yogurt Plant-based milk like soy & almond Zinc Cell Division Wound Healing Carbohydrate Metabolism Oysters Cashews Chickpeas Vitamin C Anti-Oxidant Collagen Formation Iron Absorption Citrus fruits like oranges & grapefruit Tomatoes Leafy greens Calcium Bone Health Nerve Signaling Heart Rate Regulation Cheese Milk Yogurt Vitamin B Vision Reproduction Immune Function Carrots Spinach Sweet potatoes Iron Red Blood Cell Formation Enzyme Production Oxygen Transport Leafy greens Nuts Pumpkin seeds These are just a few examples of vitamins and minerals; in reality, several micronutrients help with several different functions in our body. Get your vitamins with a colorful diet A simple rule can help you when choosing fruits and vegetables at the grocery store: the more colorful the fruits and vegetables, the better. Try to eat a wide variety of foods and aim to eat fruits and vegetables from every color of the rainbow. You must ensure that you're getting as many nutrients and vitamins that improve health as possible, plus your plate will look more appealing. Inflammation and a weakened immune system can also result from a diet heavy in sugar. As a result, you ought to restrict your sugar intake, especially when it comes to added sugar. Up your water intake In addition to a vitamin-packed diet, staying hydrated can boost our immune health too. Water helps our body produce lymph, which carries white blood cells and other immune system cells. Try to avoid overdoing beverages that can make you dehydrated, like sodas and coffee. Try eating more hydrating foods such as cucumber, watermelon, and celery. What about vitamin supplements for immune health? In an ideal world, everyone would have access to a well-balanced, high-nutrient diet that is full of fruits, vegetables, good fats, enough protein, and fiber. In theory, we wouldn't need to take extra vitamin supplements to bolster our immune systems. However, most of us fail to hit these daily nutrition goals, and we may have situations — like physical stress or hectic lifestyle — when we need more of certain nutrients than what we’re getting from food. It is always advised that you cannot supplement yourself out of bad health or replace a poor diet with vitamins, but you can fill in the gaps to give yourself that extra leg up. Our VITAMMUNE which is a multi-vitamin & multi-mineral capsule is a blend of all the essential vitamins and minerals that an individual requires for the proper functioning of the body. It is enriched with Chromium Picolinate which increases insulin sensitivity and further helps to metabolize fat, turn protein into muscle, and convert sugar into energy. The Vitamins, Minerals, and essential antioxidants present not only help boost the immune system but also enhance muscle strength, improve focus, and support healthy metabolism. BOTTOM LINE Healthy lifestyle choices by consuming nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising are the most important ways to bolster your immune system. While no magic formula exists, a combination of all of the above along with thoughtful supplementation can pave the way for a healthier and enriching lifestyle. AUTHOR Anushka Arora Hi, I am Anushka. I am a Content Crafter at 2X Nutrition Private Limited since 2023. I write about health, fitness, and Nutraceutical products. I’ve earned my bachelor’s and Master’s degree as English majors from the University of Delhi. My experience spans in-depth research and Content Editing. When am not curating content for the brand, I love to practice yoga and face yoga. I also enjoy binge-watching television series or sports.