Summer Superfoods
Summer might be coming to an end, but it’s not too late to benefit from these delicious summer superfoods. If you’re looking to boost your immune support and stay healthy, it all begins with your diet.
Here are four summer superfoods to incorporate into your diet that will provide you with the immune support you need to stay healthy all summer long.
Watermelon is sweet, nutritious, and hydrating—making it a perfect and refreshing summer treat. It contains more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable, an antioxidant that helps protect your cells from damage. It is also what gives watermelon its vibrant red color and may help support your heart health.
Watermelon also contains vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium. Specifically, vitamin B6 and vitamin C are both important for a functioning immune system.
Enjoy watermelon on its own, in a smoothie, or even lightly grilled.
2. Red Bell Peppers
Red bell peppers are the fully mature version of green bell peppers. The sweet flavor and crunchy texture of red bell peppers can help bring any dish to life. Even better, they’re great for supporting a healthy immune system. According to WebMD, each half cup of raw red pepper provides you with 47 percent of your daily recommended intake of vitamin A and 159 percent of your vitamin C.
These vitamins work to support your immune health, eye health, skin health, and help to boost white blood cell growth.
Red peppers also contain: calcium, vitamin E, iron, potassium, magnesium, Beta-carotene, vitamin B6, folate, niacin, riboflavin, and vitamin K.
These peppers are flavorful enough to enjoy raw and retain more nutrients when raw. Serve them with your dip of choice as a tasty snack or appetizer for your next summer get-together.
3. Blueberries
These small, yet flavor-packed berries contain an abundance of flavonoids, a type of antioxidant that aids in immune support and can also help to reduce damage to cells.
Blueberries are also packed with vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, dietary fiber, and manganese.
Additionally, a study performed at Oregon State University found that blueberries contain a compound called pterostilbene.
These compounds, “which are called stilbenoids, worked in synergy with vitamin D and had a significant impact in raising the expression of the human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, or CAMP gene, that is involved in immune function.”
Blueberries can be enjoyed by the handful, or they work wonderfully as a tasty addition to smoothies or a bowl of yogurt and granola.
4. Zucchini
Zucchini is also known as the summer squash and is beneficial to your digestive health, heart health, eye health, and immune support.
It is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, such as vitamins A and C, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. The result is better protection against free radicals and oxidative stress. Therefore when you eat zucchini, you’re boosting your immune system and helping to reduce inflammation.
Zucchini is commonly enjoyed roasted or grilled and is even used as a low-carb substitute for pasta. Large amounts of the beneficial compounds are found in the zucchini skin, so it should be left on when preparing it.
Conclusion
While incorporating these superfoods into your diet is an excellent habit on its own, pairing a healthy diet with supplements is a phenomenal way to get the immune support your body needs.
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See our products page to find the right formula for your body.
Sources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/eat-blueberries-and-strawberries-three-times-per-week
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-red-pepper#1
https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/the-wonders-of-watermelon
https://www.geisinger.org/health-and-wellness/wellness-articles/2018/01/19/14/09/6-foods-to-boost-your-immune-system-through-cold-and-flu-season#:~:text=Blueberries,%2C%20dietary%20fiber%2C%20and%20manganese
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB6-HealthProfessional/
https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-benefits-of-vitamin-c#1
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-554/lycopene
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130917125022.htm