Once the sweltering heat of summer gives way to the pleasant monsoon weather, suddenly we start to crave fried food and other not so healthy food items, which affects our immunity. However, an occasional indulgence in your cravings is what you could manage, as it is crucial to concentrate on eating foods that boost our immune systems during monsoon season, when rain brings cooler temperatures and more humidity. Selecting the correct foods becomes essential because weather variations can make us fall ill.

Immune-booster foods like vitamin-rich fruits, spices, and soups can help strengthen our body’s ability to fight against seasonal infectious. Although they don’t instantly strengthen your immunity, certain foods can help support your immune system during this season. Your lifestyle, including proper nutrition, hydration, rest, sleep and an active lifestyle is needed to help distribute nutrition to trillions of cells, affecting your immune system.  

It’s important to strengthen your immune system during the monsoon to stay healthy. Here are 5 foods which help in boosting your immunity. 

Yogurt 

During the monsoon, yogurt is one of the best foods to boost your immunity. Yogurt contains prebiotics that help in maintaining a healthy digestive system. Yogurt can be eaten just the way it is, or you can add your favorite fruits to it to increase its health quotient.  

Hot Soups

Hot soups are great for monsoon. You could prepare a simple rasam (spicy South Indian soup) or different types of soups, like pumpkin, tomato, moringa, green pea, and mixed vegetable. The high content of beta carotene and vitamin C in pumpkin makes it an excellent immune system booster. Garlic and ginger have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, in fact, garlic functions as an antibiotic and antifungal. Make sure to include them. Similarly, eating chilies is helpful too for the immune system as they contain flavonoids which help in boosting our immunity. A basic chicken broth enhanced with spices and vegetables is an excellent immune-boosting meal if you consume non-vegetarian food. 

 Oranges 

Oranges are a good source of vitamin C, which is well known for strengthening immunity. Oranges also have other vital nutrients, like potassium and magnesium. You can choose to have them exactly as they are or make yourself a glass of fresh orange juice. You can also eat other citrus fruits like grapes and lemons. 

Nuts 

Because of their many health advantages, nuts are a great addition to our diet during the monsoon season. Nuts are rich in important nutrients like vitamins (E and B vitamins), minerals (zinc & magnesium), and healthy fats. These nutrients are essential for fighting infections and boosting the immune system, which is especially critical in monsoons when frequents infections can grapple us. Additionally, nuts are a good source of energy, which is advantageous on chilly monsoon days when energy levels may vary.  

Herbal Tea 

There are several advantages of drinking herbal teas during the monsoon season. Their abundance of antioxidants and antimicrobials strengthen the immune system, aiding in the prevention of flu and cold. Herbal teas also facilitate digestion, calming the stomach and reducing discomfort brought on by weather variations. Their soothing qualities help with stress reduction and relaxation during gloomy weather. All things considered, herbal teas offer a soothing and healthful means of overcoming the difficulties posed by the monsoon season, promoting both physical and mental wellbeing. 

Maintaining strong health and resilience against seasonal challenges during the monsoon season requires adopting a varied diet rich in foods that strengthen the immune system. Including a range of foods—nuts, yogurt, oranges, herbal tea and hot soups—offers a comprehensive strategy for boosting immunity. You may successfully support your immune system and have a healthier monsoon by adapting to this balanced diet.