More than just comfort foods, traditional soup broths can also protect you from parasites and boost your immune system.

British researchers have found that some traditional soup broths can interrupt the life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria-causing parasite of its kind. The researchers arrived at this conclusion after sampling a variety of homemade soup broths that pupils brought to school. The soups were made using recipes that had been passed down through generations for the treatment of fever.

The researchers incubated different cultures of P. falciparum with filtered extracts of 56 broths to see if any of the broths might be able to inhibit the growth of sexually immature parasites and block sexual maturation – the stage at which P. falciparum can infect mosquitoes.

Five of the broths halted the growth of sexually immature parasites by more than 50 percent. Two of these were as effective as the leading antimalarial drug dihydroartemisinin. Meanwhile, four other broths were more than 50 percent effective at blocking sexual maturation, potentially stopping the transmission of malaria to mosquitoes.

The researchers weren’t able to identify a common ingredient among those with the strongest antimalarial activity because the broths were wildly varied. Some were vegetarian while some contained beef or chicken. The team recommended more studies that will identify which ingredients are responsible for the antiparasitic benefit of these traditional soup broths.

14 Foods that boost the immune system

Eating nutritious foods as part of a balanced diet is one of the best ways to strengthen your immunity. Here are a few immune-boosting foods to add to your diet:

1. Poultry – Meats like chicken and turkey are rich in vitamin B-6, which plays an important role in many bodily processes, including the formation of new and healthy red blood cells. Sip some hot chicken soup to get more of this vital nutrient.
2. Garlic – Feel like you’re coming down with a fever? Eat garlic. Studies show that garlic can reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms and boost recovery. Compounds in this superfood also help kill germs and fight infection.
3. Citrus fruits – Orange, grapefruit, lemon and other citrus fruits are all rich in vitamin C, an essential nutrient that helps boost the production of white blood cells. These cells are key players in your immune system, moving through your bloodstream and tissues looking for foreign invaders.
4. Red bell pepper – Think citrus fruits have the most vitamin C of any food? Think again. An ounce of red bell pepper contains nearly three times as much vitamin C as a Florida orange.
5. Broccoli – This veggie is chock-full of vitamins A, C and E, as well as fiber and many other antioxidants. Keep its health-promoting powers intact by steaming or eating this veggie raw. Overcooking broccoli can destroy its nutrients.
6. Ginger – Feeling sore all over? Drink a cup of ginger tea! Studies show that ginger helps lower inflammation and reduce the severity of inflammatory illnesses. This potent superfood can also soothe a sore throat, get rid of nausea and alleviate chronic pain.
7. Spinach – This veggie is packed with immune-boosting nutrients like vitamins A and C. Like broccoli, spinach is healthiest when it’s cooked lightly. This preserves its many nutrients and makes it easy for your body to absorb vitamin A.
8. Plain yogurt – Yogurt is packed with live, beneficial bacteria called probiotics. These microorganisms boost your immune system and promote the production of disease-fighting antibodies in your body. Many yogurts are also rich in vitamin D, which is known to strengthen immunity. Be sure to choose plain, unsweetened yogurt to maximize the health benefits of this delicious food.
9. Almonds – Many foods are rich in vitamin E, a powerful nutrient that helps maintain immune system function. But almonds stand tall among them because these nuts also boast impressive amounts of healthy fats. You see, vitamin E is a fat-soluble nutrient, meaning it requires the presence of fat to be absorbed properly.
10. Turmeric – This potent spice is touted as among the most powerful superfoods, and for good reason. It boosts the immune system, fights viruses, combats inflammation, protects against cancer and more.
11. Green tea – This detoxifying drink is brimming with L-theanine, an amino acid that aids in the production of germ-fighting compounds in your immune cells.
12. Kiwi –  This berry offers a ton of essential nutrients, including folate, potassium, vitamin K and vitamin C.
13. Papaya – This fruit is packed in vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and folate, which are all important for overall health. Papaya also contains a digestive enzyme called papain that wards off inflammation.
14. Shellfish – Oysters, crab, mussels and other kinds of shellfish are packed with zinc, which your immune cells need to function optimally.

Healthy foods like the ones listed here help the body fend off parasites and other disease-causing microorganisms. Add more of these nutritious superfoods to your diet to boost your immune system.

Sources:

EurekAlert.org

Healthline.com

EverydayHealth.com