A healthy diet is the basis for a healthy living. Better diets can ensure that you have much better body processes and prevent you from various diseases and infections. With this, keeping the immune system strong and safe is of utmost importance. The current ongoing situation demands a strong immune system that can protect you. Keeping the immune system healthy can be a tough task. While you need to look after your life behaviours, certain food items can bolster immunity. There are several foods that weaken the immune system which people consume on a daily basis and harm their immunity.
Food substances containing excessive amounts of sugars, salts, oils, omega fats are major ingredients that hamper the immunity of a person. Below is a list of some of the prominent foods that weaken immune system and in the long run could be dangerous.
Foods That Weaken Immune System
1. Sweet substances like candies
Sugar is a massive contributor to hampering immunity. It wrecks the system in the short term as well as the long run. Candies contain a significant amount of sugar. Consuming sugary foods several times a day can keep the immune system in a low state. They can trigger inflammatory proteins in the body and increase sugar levels. Reports suggest that even without consuming deserts or sugary foods, you are likely consuming more than the required doses
2. Tofu
Tofu is high in concentration of omega-6 acids. These acids are linked to inflammation in the body. There’s no need to eliminate it from the diet, but should be consumed occasionally.
3. Salty foods
Excessive salt consumption is the possible cause of every possible disease out there. Foods that weaken immune system have a high probability of having higher amounts of salts. When the amount of sodium increases in the kidneys, a domino effect begins which ultimately reduces the immunity to fight infections.
4. Fast Food – Foods That Weaken Immune System
Who doesn’t like fast foodstuffs! The reason they taste so good is the high amount of either salt or sugars in them. A regular meal of fast food has salt content equivalent to a normal day’s meals. Over time, people consuming more fast food show pronounced immune deficiencies.
Suggested Read: These Vitamin E Rich Foods Will Give You High Immunity & Good Health
5. Caffeine products
Caffeine is health-protective as it has high levels of antioxidants. Too much caffeine can disturb sleep patterns, can cause inflammation and derail your immunity. Avoid drinks like energy drinks or soda, having high amounts of caffeine, sugars and artificial sweeteners.
6. Alcohol like beer or wine
Alcohol is deemed as one of the prominent foods that weaken the immune system. It can increase the production of the stress hormone, cortisol, insulin and increase blood sugar. All these collectively hamper the immune system. Several studies have found a relationship between alcohol consumption and a weak immune system.
7. Processed meats – Foods That Weaken Immune System
Meats like bacon, salami and hot dogs have higher amounts of acids, salt, nitrates and other substances that can lead to oxidative stress. When the acid content increases, minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium become low in the body, which harms immunity.
Also Read : Best Anti Inflammatory Foods To Keep Your Immune System In Check
8. Packaged cookies and cereals
These foods weaken the immune system as they are high in sugar and simultaneously low in fiber, which is a problematic duo for the immunity of a person. Having fibers in the diet is important as they cater to proper digestion in the body and a healthier immune system.
There are several foods that weaken the immune system but the key thing to know is that if taken in controlled amounts, these can be quite good. Excess of everything is bad. This also implies to the immune system. With due care and a healthy diet, one can ensure foods that weaken immune system are kept to low quantities as a healthy immune system equals a healthy you.