Happy-Belly Foods that Support Immunity, According to Science (infomation zone)

 

Happy-Belly Foods that Support Immunity, According to Science

Your stomach is more than a body part that nags you when you're hungry and scolds you when you've overfed it. Located in your large intestine, your gut is actually home to a complex system known as the "microbiome." The gut microbiome contains trillions of microorganisms, including good bacteria, that influence many biological functions such as digestion, brain health, and immune system regulation.

In fact, as much as 70 percent of immune function is thought to originate in your gut, which is why it's critical to care for the microbiome so it can help support your immunity.

A few important things to know: Though there is research to support that eating foods and taking supplements that support a healthy microbiome can offer protection from viral respiratory infections, their impact on COVID-19 hasn't been studied specifically. That said, health experts such as Frank Lipman, MD, Chief Medical Officer of THE WELL, maintain that at the very least, having a strong immune system can help mitigate the systems of most infections and help you recover more quickly.

The foods you eat strengthen your microbiome in three different ways: by feeding the good bacteria in the gut (prebiotics), bringing your existing beneficial bacteria some reinforcements (probiotics), or by healing and strengthening the mucosal lining, which new research shows can ward off inflammation.

As for what to avoid, enemy number one to your gut is sugar, which starves your beneficial bacteria in favor of feeding the bad guys. (I developed a three-week eating plan to eliminate nasty added sugars from your diet, in case you're one of the many people struggling to curb your consumption.)

As Justin and Erica Sonnenburg write in their book, The Good Gut, "overwhelming evidence is building for a connection between better health and a complex microbiota." Start to nourish your gut microbiome and support your immune response in the process by adding the following foods to your grocery list. And for more healthy tips, be sure to check out our list of the 108 Most Popular Sodas Ranked By How Toxic They Are.