Five immune system superfoods used in Ayurveda, Indian traditional medicine, and how to consume them
- Superfoods rich in antioxidants can boost our immune systems to better cure infections and prevent disease. Many have been eaten for thousands of years
- From a fruit to a leaf to a juice to sprouts, these plant-based superfoods do the trick. There’s even a form of broccoli the broccoli-haters will like
At times of extraordinary stress such as the current coronavirus pandemic, our first line of defence should be to choose a healthy diet, and to reach for natural immunity boosters.
To prevent disease and cure infections, the immune system sometimes needs a boost that eating a diet rich in antioxidants found in superfoods may provide. Here are five plant-based ingredients that offer a range of benefits thanks to phytonutrient compounds that protect and enhance health – backed by science and used in Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old traditional Indian health science.
Gooseberries
This ancient, grape-sized and nutritious fruit has many fans, from American president Abraham Lincoln, who is reported to have loved his baked in pies, to practitioners of traditional Indian medicine. Ayurveda has included Indian gooseberries, or amla, in many medicinal formulations, particularly because of their rich vitamin C content (20 times more than lemon juice), to ward off common illnesses and build immunity.
The most common formulation is chyawanprash – a jammy preparation made primarily with gooseberries and spices, which has been a staple in Indian households for years. Chyawanprash has been known to improve digestion, strengthen the respiratory system, and boost immunity.
According to Dr Khushboo Thakker Garodia, a nutrition counsellor specialising in sports nutrition, based in Mumbai, gooseberries are also packed with other essential nutrients such as iron, magnesium, and vitamin B.
