The immune system is the organs and processes of the body that provide resistance to infection and toxins. Organs include the thymus, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. As essential as the immune system is it needs to be taken good care of with good food nutrients.
There are some foods that weakened the immune system which needs to be avoided. These foods are;
Processed foods
Processed foods tend to contain unhealthy fats, sugars, and additives, which can improve taste, texture, and shelf life. These may weaken the immune system.
Some processed foods include:
Microwave meals
Breakfast cereals
Chips
Cakes and cookies
One 2017 study found that eating foods containing additives may lead to an increase in the risk of several immune conditions. The study looked at additives such as sucralose, aspartame, carboxymethylcellulose, polysorbate-80, sodium, and carrageenan.
The researchers point out that people who eat a diet that contains foods with additives are more likely to have obesity, immune inflammation, and insulin resistance.
Eating sugars and fats in processed foods can also lead to consuming too many calories, which can increase a person’s risk of obesity.
When a person has obesity, this leads to inflammation. This inflammation can lead to insulin resistance, cirrhosis, and liver failure, as well as immune system dysregulation.
Foods high in sugar
Consuming foods that are high in sugar may weaken the immune system.
Some foods that may be high in sugar include:
Preserves, marmalades, and confectionary
Cookies and cakes
Flavored milk and sweetened dairy products
Sugary breakfast cereals
Sugary drinks, such as soda
People with high sugar diets have a higher risk of several chronic conditions, including coronary heart disease and diabetes.
Also, eating a diet high in sugar may limit the immune system’s effectiveness in combating disease. It may do this by reducing the effectiveness of white blood cells and potentially by increasing inflammatory markers in the blood.
Refined carbohydrates
Processed foods and refined carbohydrates, such as white flour and refined sugar, are associated with increases in inflammation and oxidative stress, which can impact the immune system.
Some foods that contain refined carbohydrates include:
White rice
White bread
Refined sugar
