Epidemic prevention "edible masks" cauliflower and onions are on the table! Nutritionist shares secret soup to boost immunity and protect your body

During this extraordinary period of epidemic prevention of Wuhan pneumonia (COVID-19), masks are still hard to come by, and frequent hand washing has become a basic skill for self-protection! Although we rely on washing hands and wearing masks for external protection, it is imperative that we enhance our immunity from within and make the most of our "edible mask". As the saying goes, "prevent the epidemic from both inside and outside, and completely eliminate the virus"! The nutrition professor will share his private recipe for an epidemic prevention soup. The main ingredients such as broccoli, onion, turmeric, etc. are the essence of this soup. Take care of your immunity and protect the health of your whole family!

How to improve immunity? In addition to getting enough sleep, relaxing, and taking vitamin D supplements, you can also do this…

Some people may ask: "How can I improve my immunity?" First of all, I need to get enough sleep and relax my mood. Recently, many people are afraid to go out. Although the sun is shining brightly outside, they do not enjoy the sun, which leads to a lack of vitamin D, known as the "sunshine vitamin", in their bodies. It is a pity. A 2010 article published in the Journal of the Israel Medical Association showed that active vitamin D receptors are present in many immune cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells and B cells, and have the normal function of regulating the innate and adaptive immune systems. Separately, a Japanese study showed that elementary school students who took 1,200 units of vitamin D daily during the winter had about a 40 percent lower risk of contracting the flu. Supplementing vitamin D has a supporting effect on immunity.

Professor Xie Ronghong, director of the Department of Health and Nutrition at Taipei Medical University, said that immunity refers to the body's ability to block, identify and eliminate harmful pathogens and substances. The skin and mucous membrane tissues are the main barrier parts that separate the human body from the outside world. The skin can directly block pathogens from the body, while the mucous membrane tissues secrete antibacterial substances/enzymes, immunoglobulins (antibodies) and immune cells to help block foreign pathogens from penetrating the mucous membrane tissues and entering the human body, or to engulf and kill foreign pathogens that have already invaded.

To increase immunity, a balanced diet is essential! Eat more turmeric, onions, curry and other foods rich in antibacterial substances

In daily life, natural ingredients such as turmeric, garlic, ginger, onion, curry, etc. are rich in antibacterial substances. The following introduces the antibacterial properties of these foods:

turmeric:

Turmeric is known as the "king of detoxification" and the "queen of spices". Turmeric contains curcumin, which has antibacterial activity. It can inhibit the growth of a large number of bacterial strains and resist some pathogenic bacteria. However, turmeric is not easily soluble in water and difficult to absorb. Don’t think that you cannot absorb curcumin by buying a whole piece of turmeric or soaking a bag of turmeric powder in water. Turmeric is more soluble in organic solvents or oils, so it is recommended to stir-fry it with oil when eating. For example, turmeric is one of the common spice ingredients in curry. Others include: tulip powder, coriander, fennel, mustard, onion, cardamom, etc. It is recommended to use curry as a cooking method to enjoy the health benefits of the natural antioxidant curcumin, which helps to fight inflammation and protect the immune system.

cauliflower:

Cauliflower is rich in glucosinolate, which, after being catalyzed by its own myrosinase, produces indole-3-carbinol, isothiocyanates, sulforaphane and other derivatives. In particular, sulforaphane is a powerful chemical that current scientific research shows can help activate the immune system and initiate the body's self-healing ability. Do not use boiling water when cooking, otherwise the myrosinase will be destroyed and sulforaphane cannot be synthesized. According to research by scientists at the University of Illinois, the best way to cook broccoli is to steam it for 5 minutes to preserve the effect.

onion:

Onions contain quercetin, a flavonoid compound. According to a 2020 study published in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, quercetin has anti-inflammatory effects, which help to inhibit bacteria and viruses, and is an important defense mechanism for the human body to maintain health. Among various types of onions, yellow onions and purple onions have higher quercetin content, especially purple onions, which contain about 1,910 mg of quercetin per kilogram, ranking first. Since quercetin is heat-stable and easily soluble in lipids, it is recommended that onions be cooked with an appropriate amount of cooking oil or served cold to increase the absorption rate of quercetin.

Nutrition professor shares his secret recipe for epidemic prevention: "Immune Balance Soup"

During the epidemic prevention period, Professor Xie Ronghong specially shared a private epidemic prevention recipe - "Immune Balance Soup". The ingredients include: broccoli, onions, ginger, mushrooms, raw cashews, emperor beans, and a small amount of flaxseed oil and minced garlic. Onions contain quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory effects; broccoli contains sulfides, which help to enhance immunity; turmeric contains curcumin, which has antibacterial effects, and the polysaccharides in mushrooms are also good helpers to increase immunity. In addition, it is rich in plant protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, and is nutritionally balanced, making it a great dish for maintaining good physical strength.

【Immune Balance Soup】

Ingredients: 4 servings, 1 broccoli, half an onion, 100 grams of yellow beans, 20 grams of mushrooms, 50 grams of raw cashews, 20 grams of ginger.

Seasoning: appropriate amount of flaxseed oil, a little salt, appropriate amount of minced garlic.

practice:

1. Cut half an onion into strips, add ginger and minced garlic and stir-fry with oil.

2. Wash the broccoli, peel it and cut it into small pieces. Blanch it in boiling water and set aside.

3. Use a juicer to blend the raw cashews into a paste. Then add the cauliflower, onion, ginger, minced garlic and 1200ml of hot water and blend briefly. Retain the taste of vegetable fiber.

4. Pour into the pot, add yellow emperor beans and mushrooms, put on the gas stove and bring to a boil, finally add linseed oil, salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor.

In addition to increasing immunity during the epidemic prevention period, basic physical strength and body protection cannot be ignored

Professor Xie Ronghong reminds us that it is necessary to maintain health during the extraordinary period of epidemic prevention. In addition to good hygiene habits to isolate germs and viruses from the body, and increasing immunity through the above diet, we must also improve our "basic physical strength" and "body protection"! Basic physical strength is the basis for maintaining good immunity and protection. To take good care of basic physical strength, the body needs to be supplemented with sufficient energy and various nutrients. Various nutrients can provide immunity and protection.

In addition, if immunity is the accelerator of a sports car, protection is like the brake system, which can help immunity maintain a good balance. Therefore, when improving immunity, remember to consume antioxidant and anti-inflammatory foods in moderation. Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in various vitamin C phytochemicals, fish oil and flax seeds are rich in Omega-3, which are all good choices and help protect cells from being destroyed when fighting pathogens.