Boosting Summer Immunity with Antioxidants

Boosting Summer Immunity with Antioxidants

We don’t often think about germs in the summer as much as we do the winter months, but it’s still important to keep your immune system working at its best. Antioxidants are one of the most effective and simple compounds to focus on in your diet to help support immunity. Let’s take a few of the best antioxidants and where to find them this summer. 

Shop our Immune Support supplements and vitamins here. 

What are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are natural compounds that help protect your cells from oxidative stress caused by the accumulation of free radicals. Found in nature, food, and produced by our bodies, free radicals are unstable molecules that cause cellular damage, speed up the aging process, and can contribute to disease.1

Antioxidants can minimize how much damage free radicals cause in the body by donating electrons to them. This neutralizes them and prevents them from causing harm. 

These free radical neutralizers are commonly found in plant foods, particularly colorful fruits and vegetables like dark leafy greens, berries, red cabbage, beets, and artichokes, as well as green tea, pecans, and dark chocolate. Certain fish, like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, contain an antioxidant called astaxanthin, which they get from the algae they consume. 

Antioxidants and Immunity

When it comes to their role in the immune system, antioxidants help make sure your immune cells can do their job well. Reducing oxidative stress in your body allows your immune cells to respond to threats, which is key for a healthy immune system. 

In addition to food sources, antioxidants can be easily added to your diet in supplemental form. Below, we’ve outlined 4 potent antioxidant supplements that may help support cellular health and immunity.

Vitamin C

You’ve probably heard about the immunity power of vitamin C in the context of someone telling you to drink orange juice (a source of vitamin C) when you’re sick. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports the production and function of white blood cells, which help seek out and attack germs as part of your immune response. It also helps support the barrier function of your skin.2

You can find vitamin C in various foods, such as citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, and bell peppers. It can also be obtained from supplements like our Vitamin C with Acerola Cherries & Citrus Bioflavonoids or Whole Food Vitamin C Gummies Supplement when you need a boost.

Elderberry

Elderberries are small, dark berries that come from the Sambucus tree. One of their traditional uses has been in herbal medicine because of how they support the immune system. 

These purple berries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins, which boost the production of proteins involved in your immune response called cytokines. Research shows that elderberry may also help keep certain viruses from replicating.3

Elderberries aren’t super common in the produce section, but fortunately, you can reap the benefits through a supplement like our Elderberry Gummy Supplements for Immune Support.

Zinc

Zinc is involved in hundreds of physiological reactions and functions in your body, including the development and function of various immune cells. It also supports the production of antibodies involved in an effective immune response.4

Find zinc in whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, oysters, eggs, red meat, and fortified cereals. If you’re looking for a zinc boost, consider adding one of our supplements, like the Whole Food Vegan Zinc Complex Supplement or the Immune Support Supplement with Elderberry, Vitamin C and Zinc.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a plant compound with antioxidant properties. It helps support the ability of your immune cells to respond to threats.5

Some of the best food sources of quercetin include apples, onions, berries, green tea, tomatoes, and broccoli. Our Quercetin with Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex is another convenient way to add more quercetin to your diet. 

Check out the rest of our immune support supplements and vitamins here. 

Sources

  1. Ali SS, Ahsan H, Zia MK, Siddiqui T, Khan FH. Understanding oxidants and antioxidants: Classical team with new players. J Food Biochem. 2020;44(3):e13145. doi:10.1111/jfbc.13145
  2. Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients. 2017;9(11):1211. Published 2017 Nov 3. doi:10.3390/nu9111211
  3. Wieland LS, Piechotta V, Feinberg T, et al. Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic review. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021;21(1):112. Published 2021 Apr 7. doi:10.1186/s12906-021-03283-5
  4. Wessels I, Fischer HJ, Rink L. Dietary and Physiological Effects of Zinc on the Immune System. Annu Rev Nutr. 2021;41:133-175. doi:10.1146/annurev-nutr-122019-120635
  5. Li Y, Yao J, Han C, et al. Quercetin, Inflammation and Immunity. Nutrients. 2016;8(3):167. Published 2016 Mar 15. doi:10.3390/nu8030167

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