It’s hard to believe that foods can weaken your immune system, but there are a few that really can! Discover foods that weaken your immune system, here.
Our immune systems help protect our bodies against many things, such as illnesses, diseases, colds, and flu. That is why making sure we give our body exactly what it needs through the right nutrition is important for ensuring the immune system stays strong. So, what foods weaken the immune system, and what should we be eating more of?
Below is a list of the top 5 foods that weaken our immune systems, and a little information as to why they do.
Many of the foods that we eat contain unhealthy fats, sugars, and additives. These are added to improve the product’s taste, texture, and shelf life. However, research has been conducted to show that these can weaken the immune system.
These are a few processed foods that can weaken the immune system:
There are many foods that are extremely high in sugar. People who have a lot of high-sugar content foods in their diet can be at risk of chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. Obviously, some sugars are good for you, however, if we over-consume the sugar, then this can be detrimental to our body’s health and condition.
Foods that tend to be much higher in sugar are as follows:
Consuming too much sugar can and may limit your immune system’s response to combat certain diseases, it can also cause heartburn. This is due to high sugar content in the body reducing the effectiveness of the white blood cells and thus increasing inflammation in the body.
Foods that are highly processed and high in refined carbohydrates are connected with increased in
flammation and oxidative stress, which can lead to health issues in the immune system.
The below foods contain refined carbohydrates:
Salt, in moderation, is a good substance for the body. However, foods that contain a lot of salt can cause issues in the body’s immune response. This is because a diet which is heavy in salt can trigger inflammation of the tissue, which increases the risk of autoimmune diseases.
Foods that contain a lot of salts include:
Making sure to reduce your intake of table salt and foods that have a high salt content will benefit your immune system long term.
The body needs omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy function. However, many diets tend to be high in omega-6 fats and low in omega-3s. The imbalance of omega acids can cause an increased risk of immune dysfunction. Trying to eat more foods that contain omega-3s will help to maintain a healthy balance.
Foods that contain omega-3 and are good to add to your diet, are:
There have been studies to show that spikes in the number of sugars we consume can suppress the immune system. When the immune system is affected, the body’s ability to fight off any unwanted diseases becomes more difficult, therefore leaving you more vulnerable to getting sick.
That is why you should always make sure to maintain a varied and healthy diet full of immunity-boosting foods to ensure your immune system is getting all the nutrients it needs to function the way it should.
Now that you know all about the foods that can weaken your immune system, want to know more ways in which to boost your overall health? Take a look at our article on how to boost your immune system naturally, next.
