With a viral outbreak dominating mainstream news, most of you are probably stocking up on hand sanitizer and Emergen-C. While those are good things to have, here’s a list of natural foods that are scientifically proven to give your immune system a boost. 

**These foods do not prevent sickness! But, they can improve your overall immunity when incorporated into your diet.**

Citrus Fruits. These guys are rich in Vitamin C, which has been proven to boost immune function. Plus, they taste delicious. Toss some in your water bottle and you can pretend you’re at a fancy spa. 

Garlic. In addition to keeping vampires away, garlic has been used for medical purposes for thousands of years. Although there are hundreds of anecdotal studies on its benefits, we do know that garlic appears to lower blood pressure, boost immunity, and even fight off some cancer. More research is needed to fully understand how, but in the meantime, keep eating that garlic!

Ginger. We know that this awesome root reduces inflammation and helps cure nausea. Ginger’s antioxidants also appear to boost immunity. This doesn’t mean ginger ale is healthy, stick to the real thing!

Green Tea. Although technically not a food, green tea is a real champ when it comes to immune health. It contains very high levels of EGCG and L-theanine which are both extremely important for your immune system. For a deep dive on the health benefits of green tea, visit Amy at FoodLve.com.

If you are looking for vitamins to boost your immune system, here’s a great resource.