Foods To Strengthen Your Immunity Against HMPV and Other Infections This Year

January 16, 2025

Foods To Strengthen Your Immunity Against HMPV and Other Infections This Year

Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
16 January, 2025

The media is rife with news of another impending COVID-like disaster- and we are all super worried about having to change our lives all over again, due to HMPV. You may think that this is another virus that has come by, all new and terribly powerful- waiting to strike us all. Let us begin by stating the obvious- it is NOT new and our doctors have been able to deal with it effectively for many decades actually. It is also super important to remember that this is a virus that causes opportunistic infections. This means it infects you when your immune system is working less efficiently than before. Taking good care of your daily diet can help your body fight for you. So, let us begin!

How To Improve Immune System With Diet-

Your immune system needs energy and nutrients to work well and these can be derived from a well rounded diet. Let us look at what you should be eating-

Fresh fruits and vegetables– for the plant flavonoids and Vitamins A,C and E respectively. Plant based foods contain fibre and lots of polyphenolic compounds like flavonoids, which are antioxidative and anti-inflammatory in nature. They help regulate the immune cells and keep us healthy overall. Vitamin C is very potent as an antioxidant and helps white blood cells keep their numbers up. This means you remain protected from infections. Brightly coloured fruits and vegetables are rich in carotenoids which get converted to Vitamin A. Garlic and onions contain plenty of sulphur rich compounds that help build immunity.
Plant nuts and seeds are rich in healthy fats, fibres and minerals. Vitamin E found in these nuts is a powerful antioxidant and helps prevent cellular damage. This vitamin and minerals like selenium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and copper are found in nuts, along with some Vitamin B6.
Spices and condiments like turmeric, pepper, garlic, ginger etc. are all rich in compounds that have antimicrobial properties. They are also anti-inflammatory in nature and help keep the immune system in check.
Lean meat– They are rich in the B group of vitamins which are necessary for keeping the red blood cells healthy. They also have chondroitin, gelatin and collagen- which are good for your gut and in turn, immunity too. Mea also contains protein- which is good for your body- muscles in particular.
Seafood is rich in zinc, but too much is bad for you. So, make sure to eat only what is required, as too much of zinc can inhibit immune function in the long run.

Top Immunity-Boosting Foods For Respiratory Health

The lungs in particular are exposed to a variety of allergens and [pathogens on a daily basis, because we breathe in and out so many hundreds of times in a day. The immune cells hence work overtime to keep us healthy. The foods mentioned above are good for the lungs too as they help reduce lung cell damage due to the high amounts of antioxidative compounds. Protein is also very necessary for taking care of the muscles.

Immune-Boosting Recipes For Fighting Infections

Indian cuisine is rich in recipes that are immune system friendly- as we use a lot of spices, condiments and fresh ingredients. Whole grains and good quality fats are a given in most recipes. They are all gut friendly and help in better nutrient absorption. You can incorporate all this goodness in the form of salads, raitas, steamed veggie fillings for parathas and as pulao, fried rice, etc. Items like rasam, sabzis and curries are full of spices that are good for you. Just keep the oil levels low and add steamed veggies and meat and you are good to go.

Conclusion

These are some natural ways to strengthen immunity against HMPV virus- eating well, exercising daily and also paying attention to personal hygiene in a big way. HMPV mainly spreads via exposure to contaminated surfaces and infected people. So, if you can, stay away from crowds and wear a mask when you do go out. It is cool to sing along and wash your hands with soap now, so don’t shy away from doing that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can eating certain superfoods help prevent HMPV infections?

Eating good quality, fresh food everyday is good for your health as a whole and this means the immune system too. So, yes, you can help your body prevent infections with this hack.

Which vitamins and minerals are essential for a strong immune system?

Vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K are all good for the immune system while zinc plays a very important role, though other minerals serve their own functions too. Just be careful not to have too much zinc, as it can be counter-productive in large concentrations.

What role do herbs and spices play in boosting immunity?

Herbs and spices are full of anti-inflammatory compounds that help in keeping cells healthy and damage free. They are also antimicrobial in nature.

How often should I consume immunity-boosting foods to see results?

You should eat different kinds of foods everyday, for the best results, as no particular food has all the nutrients that you need.

Are there any foods to avoid that might weaken immunity?

Highly processed, sugary, salty and fatty foods are bad for you and can cause chronic inflammation in the body- leading to the immune system weakening over time.