7 minute read
Foods that can weaken your immune system
LUTHO PASIYA
MANY of us are doing everything we can for our health these days.
Making sure we are healthy has become paramount and this is evident in the decisions we are taking to boost our immune systems whichever way we can.
Having enough sleep, exercising, and a healthy diet all contribute to maintaining our body’s defence against illnesses.
A nutritious diet that supports the immune system might help fight viruses more efficiently and faster. But it is important to be aware that it can’t lower your risk of contracting an infection (nothing can prevent that other than a vaccine).
A number of foods have been found to benefit the immune system, but there are many others that can weaken our system. Below are some of the foods that can cause harm.
Hot dogs
We love to eat them during sporting and food events. However, hot dogs, especially ones made from processed meat, can weaken your immune system.
High intakes of cured and processed meats, such as bacon, salami, cold cuts and hot dogs, have been related to adverse health effects such as an increased risk for some cancers.
Processed meats are also high in salt, nitrates and other additives that may cause oxidative stress.
Sweets
If you have a sweet tooth, your immune system is likely to suffer. Researchers have found excess sugar consumption weakens your
body’s immune system, greatly impacting your body’s ability to fight infections like the common cold and flu.
Red meat
Although red meat is rich in some nutrients, it is high in saturated fats which are linked to increased levels of inflammation in the body.
A kind of sugar molecule in it may cause inflammation. Chronic inflammation may result in cancerous tumour formation.
Alternatives to red meat are chicken, fish and eggs, in moderation.
Alcohol
Studies show that the immoderate use of alcohol kills some of the antibody cells needed to destroy virus-infected cells.
They reveal that people who drink alcohol are more prone to infections and pneumonia because alcohol impairs the activity of immune cells in the blood. When consumed in excess, alcohol is a poison to every system of the body.
Cold drinks and soda
These beverages are high in sugar and are among the foods that weaken the immune system. People generally drink soda after their meal as they think it is good for their digestion but it is bad for immunity.
Potato chips
We all know junk food is bad for us, but many of us try to ignore that. Junk food affects more than just our waistlines.
According to research, a poor diet can have a direct impact on the immune system.
