Foods that boost your immune system

Your body needs food to fight infections all the time. Therefore, keeping your immune system strong and healthy is important.

Dr Ismail Tamale, a nutritionist at Taimex Uganda Limited, gives advice on what to incorporate in your diet for a strong immune system.

Mushrooms
These give you the mineral selenium and the B vitamins riboflavin and niacin which help you in several ways. If you are low on selenium, you may be more likely to get a more severe flu. Riboflavin and niacin play a role in a healthy immune system.

Watermelon
Watermelon is not only refreshing but also contains an antioxidant called glutathione which strengthens the immune system so it can fight infections. To get the most glutathione from your watermelon, eat the red pulpy flesh near the rind.

Spinach
According to Dr Tamale, spinach is a super food because it has lots of nutrients. One of them is folate, which helps your body make new cells and repair DNA.

It also boasts fibre, antioxidants such as vitamin C, and more. Eat spinach raw or lightly cooked to get the most dietary benefits.

Sweet Potato
Like carrots, sweet potatoes have beta-carotene which when taken turns into vitamin A, which mops up damaging free radicals. Orange fleshed sweet potatoes are better.

Garlic
This kitchen staple does more than punch up the flavour of food. Raw garlic can help beat skin infections thanks to its ability to fight bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

To get the benefits, you have to use the real stuff, though, not garlic powder. A garlic supplement may even help lower your cholesterol.