5 Common Eating Habits That Can Weaken Your Immune System - Walla! health

2021-09-25T00:38:35.753Z

The immune system has become very much an issue in the corona era, but do we have an impact on its strength? And what should you eat (or not) to try to strengthen it and is it even possible?

health
news

5 common eating habits that can weaken the immune system

The balance between the fats on the menu, the popular sugar substitutes, the degree of roasting of the meat - all of these can, in some cases, weaken your body's defense army - even without your knowledge.

So why exactly is this happening and how can you contribute, if at all, to your immune system?

12 things that can weaken your immune system

To the full article

An interesting study conducted on obese people found that people who consume more omega 6 are more likely to suffer from diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Therefore, experts recommend eating more omega-3 rich foods like nuts, chia seeds and fish like salmon, Merkel and sardines.

On the other hand, it is certainly possible to consume foods that contain omega 6, but to a reduced extent.

This list mainly includes oils based on corn, soy, canola and sunflower.

2. You can not give up roast, fried or processed meat

In recent years, the danger of increased consumption of substances called Advanced glycation end products or AGEs has risen to awareness.

These are the end products of the process of dimming amino acids, or in simple words, substances that are formed in various processes of food processing, such as grilling, "burning" in the oven or frying.

Molecules that can weaken the immune system in several ways.

Grilled shish kebab (Photo: ShutterStock)

One study that examined the rate of AGEs in 549 different foods, found that they are found in the highest concentrations in sausages, roast chicken (which did not remove the skin), grilled steak and fried bacon for fans of the genre.

A number of studies from recent years also show that AGEs are molecules that can weaken the immune system in several ways, including increasing the rate of inflammation in the body, impairing antioxidant activity and disrupting the balance of bacteria in the gut.

3. You believe that sugar substitutes do you good

Everyone knows that sugar is harmful to health, but sometimes the desire to avoid it can do more harm than good.

It is now known that some artificial sweeteners may alter the bacterial balance in the gut, increase gastrointestinal inflammation and weaken the immune response to infections.

One study found, for example, that an artificial sweetener known as sucralose can upset the balance of good bacteria in the gut. Another study found that another sweetener called saccharin may have a similar effect. Another study found that in general, regular and long-term use of sweeteners may weaken the immune system's response to various threats.

4. You exaggerate with the sugar

so that you do not think that the recommendation to avoid artificial sweeteners is an invitation to return to the simple white sugar - here is an important clarification: Sugar, as is well known, endangers health in a number of aspects. In fact, any food that contains large amounts of sugar raises blood sugar levels, which also increases the rate of pro-inflammatory proteins in the body.

Studies show that sudden "jumps" in blood sugar levels can impair the activity of immune system components such as neutrophils and phagocytes. These are two types of cells in the immune system that help fight infections and are an important component of our immune defense.

More on Walla!

Between Corona and Flu: Is There a Way to Strengthen the Immune System?
Superheroes: These people have insane corona immunity
This is how the immune system responds to the corona virus - step by step
Due to the growing demand for effective pain treatment: B-Cure laser in a special operation

So no, we do not call on you to take the sugar out of your life completely because we know it is almost impossible, but yes it is possible to think in which cases it is possible to reduce sugar consumption throughout the day.

Even small changes can over time produce a significant and long-term effect.

Use too much sugar and salt.

Gif of people loading sugar (Photo: Giphy)

5. You add salt to everything you eat

like sugar, no one has any doubt that high salt does it no good - but here is an interesting study that illustrates how dramatic it is. In 2016, six brave men participated in an experiment in which they consumed 12 grams of salt for fifty days. Then, they reduced salt intake to 9 grams for another fifty days and later to 6 grams for the same period. Finally, they went back to consuming 12 grams of salt for another month.

The study showed that during periods when men consumed the most salt, their blood had a high rate of white blood cells called monocytes, a high rate of pro-inflammatory proteins and a low rate of a protein called IL-10 that fights inflammation. The researchers explained that this indicates an excessive immune response, which could be harmful to health.

Salt, or more precisely sodium, is an important component in the proper functioning of the body in general, and the immune system in particular.

The problem is that our diet today includes too much of it, at a level that according to various studies may increase the rate of autoimmune diseases and even, according to one study, aggravate the condition of those already dealing with autoimmune diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus ( lupus).