How to boost immune system, here's some tips to keep you fit

It is a myth that only fancy, exorbitantly priced, exotic foods can give you great health. In fact, nature has bestowed each region with foods that are specifically suitable to the climatic conditions of the region. So, it’s imperative we consume regional and seasonal foods. This monsoon, boost your immunity with the following foods:

Lemons
All kinds of citrus fruits give an instant boost to the immune system because of the abundant amounts of vitamin C they contain. Lemon, which is the most easily available of them, can also be called a miracle fruit. “Although acidic, it instantly creates an alkaline environment in the body, thereby reducing the effect of any kind of inflammation. Disease-causing germs and viruses can thrive only in an acidic environment”.

Greens
Greens are secret superfoods that have been ignored for centuries. They contain chlorophyll, which is the primary source of nutrition prepared by the plant world. “Chlorophyll, when consumed in its natural form, turbo-charges our immune system and gives us tremendous energy. As all green and leafy vegetables are beneficial, we should rather include them in our daily diet in the form of juices, smoothies or simply add them to our salads,” says Pandey.

Foods high in Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is vital to supporting biochemical reactions in the immune system. “Its deficiency is associated with mood disorders, anxiety and depression, as it helps in making the hormone serotonin which regulates the mood. It helps in maintaining a healthy nervous system,” says Dr Dhaval Shah, co-founder of Pharmeasy. Protein rich foods like meat, fish and poultry, beans are good sources of Vitamin B6.

Bananas
It is an instant snack that is a wonderful, healthy alternative to a vada pao or a burger. At one-third the price of processed, unhealthy fast food, you can feed yourself bananas and gain innumerable health benefits in the process. “Banana is rich in potassium and magnesium and is a great source of minerals. It has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the cholesterol levels in the body. It is also a great source of energy, favoured by sportspersons all over the world. Even for infants and little kids, bananas have been found to be as safe as mother’s milk,” says Pandey.

Coconuts
Coconut, like bananas, has a special place of privilege in the Indian tradition. It is present in many religious rituals and auspicious occasions. It is now also hailed as a superfood with anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. It can be consumed in different forms — as coconut water, coconut milk or virgin coconut oil. “Great for skin and hair health, it is also useful in dental health because of its properties of killing harmful microorganisms. In view of the detrimental effects of the A1 milk of Jersey cow, buffaloes and rampant milk adulteration, coconut milk can prove to be a fantastic alternative to dairy for children and elderly alike,” says Pandey.

Foods with Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps the body fight off infection. “Nuts and seeds, plant oils and vegetables like kale are good sources of vitamin E,” adds Dr Shah.

Tomatoes
It is essential to include different coloured fruits and vegetables in your diet, and tomatoes must form an essential part of your diet. “Tomato owes its bright red colour to the presence of a carotenoid called lycopene, which is believed to have the highest antioxidant activity of all the carotenoids. It also reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer, controls blood pressure, fights.