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Discover foods that weaken your immune system

Discover foods that weaken your immune system

The immune system is responsible for protecting us from the bacteria, viruses and parasites that live in our daily environment.

Through its defense mechanisms, the body prevents the entry of pathogens or eliminates them when they have entered our body.

There are foods that are able to stimulate our immune response, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, but there are also products, common consumption which make us more vulnerable to diseases.

Here are five of the worst foods for your immune system:

White bread

American nutritionist Josh Ax claims that white bread, biscuits, cakes and other products made with refined flour affect the immune system.

Karamelet

A review of studies published in the journal Nutrition shows that sugar processed in candy increases the body's inflammation. This triggers a response of the immune system and increases the production of free radicals, which are molecules that can damage healthy cells in our bodies.

Chips

A study conducted by the University of Bonn showed that a diet rich in salt causes deficiencies in the immune system. The researchers reported that excess sodium increases kidney activity to get rid of it and reduces the body's response against bacterial infections.

Processed fruits

The Harvard School of Public Health says that every human being has billions of microbes loaded to maintain the proper functioning of our body. Most of these microorganisms live in the colon and are essential for digesting carbohydrates, amino acids and vitamins. However, a diet rich in sugars can change this process.

Likewise, processed fruits cause an increased desire to consume sweet foods, the consumption of which can affect the immune system and thus reduce protection against disease.

Processed oils

According to Hyperbiotics, natural oils are healthy due to their high content of fats, Omega 3 acid and vitamin E. However, commercial oils go through a refining process in which they lose nutrients and change their molecular structure.

Therefore, eating food that is fried with refined oils causes an increased production of free radicals that are able to damage body tissues, generate inflammation, and make the immune system vulnerable to infections.

*Eluniversal