With autumn approaching and COVID still a concern in the United States and abroad, many people are anxious to strengthen their immune systems to stay healthy. Avoiding illness, however, is not just a matter of attraction – many people inadvertently become more susceptible to illness because of their diet.
If you want to make sure you do not injure yourself, read on to discover the worst drinks for immune health, according to dietitians. And if you want to improve your health in a hurry, check out The 7 Healthiest Foods To Eat Right Now.
Flavored lattes
These sweet lattes can give you a quick burst of energy, but they can also seriously damage your immune health.
“Flavored lattes can be a surprising source of added sugar – some of these drinks can even provide more sugar than a can of soda,” says Holly Klamer, MS, RDN, av My Crohn’s and colitis team. “Drinking large amounts of sugar can not only add extra calories to the diet but can also adversely affect immune function.”
Klamer says so research suggests that diets high in sugar can also promote inflammation. “A high level of inflammatory markers can increase the risk of certain diseases,” she adds.
Alcoholic beverages
The alcoholic beverages and your immune system, which are less than fantastic, may be more interconnected than you think.
“Alcohol is bad for your immune health because chronic alcohol use can affect your body’s ability to expel bacteria quickly. In fact, people with alcohol use can be susceptible to pulmonary immunodeficiency where the upper airways cannot clear respiratory pathogens,” says New York-based culinary nutritionist Nicole Stefanow, MS, RDN, with reference to a study from 2016 published in Alcohol. For more incentives to drop those drinks, check out the secret side effects of giving up alcohol, say dietitians.
Soda
Soda is not only bad for your waist – it is also bad for your immune health.
“Drinks that contain added sugar and sodium are harmful to our immune system. Both act as an irritant to the system that can cause an inflammatory reaction. Think about how much salt makes you swell? Our bodies work best on whole, unprocessed foods and beverages. , “says Kimberly Gomer, MS, RD, LDN, head of nutrition at Pritikin Longevity Center.
Fruit juice
If you are eager to keep your immune system strong, there is no time like now to release the sweet juices.
“Fruit juice is not ideal for immune health because it is a major source of sugar, especially fructose and glucose. Fructose causes fat to accumulate in the body and affects our intestinal hormones, making us feel hungrier, while glucose causes spikes in our blood sugar levels,” he said. explaining Bari Stricoff, MS, RD, a registered dietitian at Second nature.
While Stricoff says that many people assume that juice is healthy because of its vitamin and mineral content, she notes that these nutrients are easy to find in whole fruits and vegetables without consuming any added sugar. For more great healthy tips delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter!
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