Hello Autumn! How to stay healthy during the flu season? We share easy ways to strengthen your immune system to help prevent the flu and relieve the symptoms of the flu.
How can I support my immune system?
During a change in season, your body is forced to re-adapt itself, thus making it highly susceptible to viruses and infections.
The easiest way to support your immune system is to pay attention to your lifestyle and what you eat. Yes, food can help prevent flu: a healthy and varied diet is one of the most important factors to boost the immune system.
Make sure each meal has vitamins and fibre - they support a healthy lifestyle.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C promotes the functioning of the body's defence system. Studies show that vitamin C both shortens the duration of the flu and relieves the symptoms of the flu.
Finnish berries and more specifically berry powders are superior sources of vitamin C: one tablespoon corresponds to about 1-1,5 dl of fresh berries!
What is the significance of intestinal well-being for immune system?
A healthy gut contributes to a strong immune system. Intestinal well-being and bacterial balance can be maintained by eating enough fibre. Berries are naturally high in fibre, supporting and helping good digestion.
Should I do more sports too?
Good fitness is essential for a well-functioning immune system. Daily exercise will help keep you fit and in good health! However, avoid exercising too hard to avoid making the body go into a state of stress, which weakens the immune system.
Can better sleep help the immune system?
Sleep is important for the immune system. It provides essential support to the immune system because during sleep the body recovers from the stress of the day. Lack of sleep alters hormonal activity and affects the body like a stress reaction, weakening the immune system.
Stress weakens the immune system as it changes the way the body's immune system works and makes it easier to make you sick.
Immune system berry boost checklist
Berries are simply wonderful to boost your immune system. In addition to their high vitamin C and fibre content, berries are full of polyphenols (natural antioxidants) and flavonoids that can strengthen the immune system and help prevent infections.
Rosehip is incredibly high in vitamin C and rich in dietary fibre. Rosehip has traditionally been used to treat anemia, headaches and infectious diseases.
Sea buckthorn has extremely high nutrient content. It is rich in vitamins C and E, dietary fibre and fatty acids that are useful for the body.
Blackcurrant is commonly used for treating flu symptoms in Finland. It is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants which boost immune system and help maintaining a healthy metabolism. Blackcurrant is high in anthocyanins, which improve peripheral blood flow and muscle oxygen uptake.