The immune system is responsible for protecting us from the bacteria, viruses and parasites that live in our everyday environment.
Through its defense mechanisms, the body prevents the entry of pathogens or eliminates them when they have entered our organism.
There are foods that are able to stimulate our immune response, such as fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes, but there are also products, common consumption that 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, cookies, cakes and other products made with refined flour affect the immune system.
Caramels
A review of studies published by the journal Nutrition found that the processed sugar in candy increases inflammation in the body. This triggers an immune system response 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 the activity of the kidneys 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 charged to keep our bodies functioning properly. Most of these microorganisms live in the large intestine and are essential for digesting carbohydrates, amino acids and vitamins. However, a diet high in sugars can reverse 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 because of their high content of fatty acids, 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 has been 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.
