Feeding your body certain foods may help keep your immune system stay strong.

If you’re generally healthy*, don’t have any severe cold or flu symptoms** and are looking for natural ways to naturally support your immune system, your grocery store’s natural products aisle is a great place to start! Plan your meals to include these powerful immune system boosting foods: 

1. Pure Raw Honey

Honey has always been known for its immune boosting  properties, but it wasn’t until recently that some of those bioactive, immune boosting properties have been identified by researchers. Some of the studies even found that over-the-counter cough syrups and cold remedies literally had no effect at all - even worse, they were completely loaded with sugar! 

Honey is a great, available and affordable substitute to deal with persistent of lingering throat irritation and coughing. Best of all, it has virtually no side effects. The reason why honey helps as a treatment for coughs is that it acts as a demulcent—a substance that coats the throat and soothes mucus membranes. It also contains antioxidants and antimicrobial properties that may have a role in promoting healing and modulating the body’s natural immune response. A teaspoon of our Raw, Organic (also raw) or Cold Pressed honeys should help alleviate that throat tickle and get your voice back to normal in no time.

2. Cold Pressed Buckwheat Honey 

Often overlooked are the incredible benefits of Buckwheat Honey - and we’re so proud to offer our Cold Pressed Raw Buckwheat honey to consumers.  A research study showed that just a single dose of buckwheat honey given 30 minutes prior to bedtime helped reduce and alleviate nighttime coughing, resulting in better sleep quality. 

Best of all, compared to leading cough syrups, our Buckwheat honey is about 20% cheaper by volume on a dose-for-dose comparison - and we might add that it is also way better tasting without the sugars or artificial sweeteners!

3. Broccoli

Broccoli is supercharged with protein (it’s true!) and packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as fiber and many other antioxidants. Simply put - Broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables you can put on your plate.

The key to retaining all of its benefits is to cook it as little as possible — or better yet, not at all. Research has shown that steaming it is the best way to keep more more of the great stuff available for your body to absorb.

4. Citrus fruits

Most people turn straight to vitamin C after they’ve caught a cold. That’s because it helps build up your immune system.

Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells, which are key to fighting infections.

Popular citrus fruits include:

• Grapefruit
• Oranges
• Clementines
• Tangerines
• Lemons
• Limes

Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. With such a variety to choose from, it’s easy to add a squeeze of this vitamin to any meal.

5. Seeds

Seeds contain all the starting materials necessary to develop into complex plants. Because of this, they are extremely nutritious.

Seeds are great sources of fiber. They also contain healthy monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats and many important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Sunflower seeds are full of nutrients, including phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamins B-6 and E. Vitamin E is important in regulating and maintaining immune system function.

Sunflower seeds are also incredibly high in selenium, a powerful antioxidant and immune modulating mineral . Just 1 ounce of sunflower seeds contains nearly half the daily recommended dose of selenium. Definitely important to keep these on your shelf throughout the year! 

Pumpkin seeds are also good sources of phytosterols, which are plant compounds that may help lower blood cholesterol.

One observational study of more than 8,000 people found that those who had a higher intake of pumpkin and sunflower seeds had a significantly reduced risk of breast cancer.

6. Turmeric and Ginger Roots

Turmeric is a bright yellow, bitter spice that has also been used for years as an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory in treating both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Research shows that high concentrations of curcumin, which gives turmeric its distinctive yellow colour, can help decrease exercise-induced muscle damage. Curcumin has promise as an immune booster (based on findings from animal studies) and an antiviral.

Ginger is another ingredient many turn to after getting sick. We suggest using it daily in a ginger-honey-lemon tea to keep yourself hydrated and prepared to fight colds and viruses. Ginger contains a variety of powerful antioxidants called gingerols, shogaols and zingerones, which researchers have linked to improving heart health. These antioxidants also contain chemicals that are similar to those found in anti-inflammatory medications that help alleviate arthritis (inflammation in the joints).

These incredible, immune-boosting superfoods are not only great to keep you energized and healthy, but they are also tasty and great additions to your diet! See below for a few of our favourite recipes that include these foods… and of course, a serving of Elias Honey:

1. Soothing Honey Lemon Ginger Tea
2. Honey sunflower seed protein balls
3. Honey glazed broccoli
4. Honey Turmeric Ginger Cough Syrup