Now more than ever, it’s vital to have our immune system working in tip-top shape. Common ways to harm the immune system include a lack of sleep and exercise, along with bad habits like smoking or drinking alcohol in excess.
Another key part of a healthy immune system lies in the food that we eat. With that in mind, Ontario Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has five foods that can weaken your immune system.
- Candy
While chocolate and other types of candy may make us feel good in the moment, the sugar can wreak havoc with our immune system. Sugar has been found to cause inflammation, which weakens white blood cells. These are what the body relies on to fight off infections.
- Strawberries
This may surprise you, but strawberries have been found to contribute to congestion, as they are histamine releasers. It’s generally not an issue if you’re healthy, but if you’re feeling under the weather, it’s been to skip the strawberries and focus on other fruits like oranges, blueberries, and apples.
- Milk
Milk is another item to avoid when you’re sick and for the same reason as strawberries. Milk, especially whole milk, will thicken mucus and allow allergens to stay in your system longer.
- Cheese
The amount of fat in most cheeses will cause inflammation in the body after you eat it, and like candy, this causes a weakening in white blood cells.
- Caffeine
It’s still okay to have that morning cup of coffee, but with an asterisk. Coffee is a diuretic, which means it makes you go to the bathroom more, and it’s easier to become dehydrated that way. Your immune system will have to work harder if you’re not properly hydrated, so be sure to drink enough water after your morning ritual to keep the body working at its best.
To learn more about Ontario Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://ontario-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org/.
