Top 7 Foods That Boost The Immune System Of Seniors In Houston
Many people find that as they get older they eat less and that their diets become more repetitive. This is not always a bad thing, but it does mean that as we get older we should pay closer attention to our diets so that we can be confident that we’re getting enough nutrients to support our immune system and promote good health. There are a few foods that are particularly good for seniors to consume.
Spinach
Spinach is rich in antioxidants and also contains beta carotene, fiber, magnesium, folate, iron, and vitamins A and C. This makes it a ‘superfood’ in a lot of ways. It is good for your eyes and can help to protect against age-related macular degeneration. Spinach is best consumed raw or only lightly cooked. Boiling it can remove some of the nutrients.
Live Yogurt
Yogurt is rich in vitamin D. It also contains a number of useful bacteria that can help to improve your gut flora, stimulating your immune system, and improving your digestion. Make sure that you buy live, or ‘probiotic’ yogurt, however. Some yogurts have had the cultures removed from them, and this means that they are less beneficial.
Blueberries
These small berries are highly nutritious and are low calorie too, which means they should be a staple of almost any diet. They are thought to be helpful for cardiovascular health and to have a neuroprotective effect too.
Broccoli
You may not be a fan of broccoli if you grew up eating it in boiled form, but it does have a lot of benefits. It is an immune-boosting food that is thought to help prevent cancer, and it is rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Garlic
Garlic is tasty and it can help to reduce cholesterol levels, regulate blood pressure, and also stabilize blood sugar levels. it is known to help fight off infections too. The greatest benefits come from raw (not powdered) garlic. Crush some fresh cloves to season dishes and you can reap the benefits.
Almonds
Almonds are rich in Vitamin E, which is important for a healthy immune system. Vitamin E needs to be used in the presence of fat, and what makes almonds so useful is that they’re rich in healthy fats too. A half-cup of the whole, shelled almonds contains close to a full day’s dose of Vitamin E. Try not to eat too much because like many other nuts, almonds are very calorie-dense!
Green Tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants and low in calories, as long as you don’t add sugar to it. Green tea can help to boost the immune system and is thought to help fight off influenza. If you are preparing tea, try not to add milk to it, because the polyphenols in the tea will bind to the proteins found in the milk, preventing the body from making use of them. Drink tea unsweetened and unadulterated.
Call us or contact Assisting Hands Houston today with any questions you might have! Visit our blog for more exciting articles about senior care in Houston.
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