Our immune system mounts such an exceptional coordinated defense system against invaders that it still continues to baffle scientists! The best fuel to boost our immune system is to maintain a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits.
Despite the marvels of modern science, no substitute can be found for the immune system. Our immune system is the best doctor in the world – it is most powerful and effective than any drug. To keep this internal army in prime condition, vegetables and fruits diet is the answer.
In war, the stronger army wins while the weaker army quickly succumbs to invasion. Our body works in the same way. When germs attack, a healthy immune system instantly fights them. Only when our immune system is malnourished or weak do we fall seriously ill or even die from infections.
Take the example of two people exposed to the same recent swine flu break out. One falls seriously ill but the other doesn’t. Although they face the same viral threat, only the person with a weak immune system becomes sick with the flu.
Studies by World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show that as developing countries become increasingly urbanized, even traditionally vegetarian societies such as the Chinese and Indians are choosing high-fat, meat-rich diets over high-vegetable ones. The report also mentioned that the prevalence of heart disease in China and India is higher than all developed countries put together. India is thought to have the world’s largest diabetic population.
In contrast, South Korea, which still follows a high-vegetable diet, shows lower fat intake and lower rates of chronic diseases than countries of similar economic status.
The statistic above is due to the fact that our immune system thrives on a healthy diet and good rest, poor nutrition and stress can make us fall ill more easily.
Wholesome plant foods are rich in vitamins and minerals. Certain plant foods, like soy are also rich in protein. Experts have stated that vegetables and fruits provide approximated 40 nutrients or more. For example, an orange provides us with a healthy amount of vitamin C, in addition to beta-carotene, d-Limonene, folic acid, potassium, calcium and many other nutrients.
Scientists attribute the disease-fighting capability of plant foods to an arsenal of compounds – antioxidants, phytochemicals and polysaccharides. Antioxidants and phytochemicals give fruits and vegetables their color, flavor, aroma and a strong disease-fighting capability. For example, an apple a day may really keep heart doctors away as it provides 20% of our daily fiber needs. A medium stalk of broccoli has more than double the recommended quota of vitamin C and calcium comparable to an equal serving of milk. Cactus fruits are said to have seven times more antioxidant effect than vitamin C.
All of us would like to live long, healthy lives, free of chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, stroke and osteoporosis. But an overwhelming majority of us still eat unhealthy foods whenever we want and as much as we want, without considering the consequences.
If we choose the best fuel for our vehicles, why don’t we do the same for our bodies?
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