Native Foods: discover how to prepare your immune system for winter

Did you know that you can boost your immunity with Native Açaí and Native Pitaya and spend a more peaceful winter, free of flu and colds? Discover how your immune system works and how you can boost your immune response.

If you want to find out how your immune system works and how you can boost your immune response, then this article is for you.

Let's talk about the importance of food and how the consumption of açaí and pitaya can be an important ally for your health and well-being during the colder months. We'll also leave you with some fun and tasty ideas on how to include Native Foods in your recipes.

Why do we get sick more often in winter?

With the arrival of the cold and wet days of winter, our body becomes more fragile and this is the perfect opportunity for viruses and bacteria to attack. During the winter months, cases of colds, flu and respiratory illnesses increase. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to our immune system.

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, immunity is not always one of our priorities and there are several factors that can reduce the body's defenses and make it more fragile:

• Reduced intake of essential vitamins and minerals;

• Dehydration;

• Deregulated sleep;

• Stress;

• Lack of physical exercise;

• Excess toxins in the body.

Do you identify with any of the previous points? The truth is that, with a few small changes, you can strengthen your intestinal flora and become less susceptible to the inevitable daily aggressions, even more so this winter season.

What to do to keep the immune system healthy?

A strong immune system is the best way to protect yourself from a wide variety of illnesses.

Talking about immunity is also talking about intestines. Many millions of beneficial bacteria live in our intestines, which help with digestion, eliminate toxins and support the immune system in protecting the body against pathogenic microorganisms, that is, those capable of causing infections.

This group of bacteria is called the intestinal microbiota, also known as intestinal flora. The healthier the microbiota, the stronger and more effective the response given by the immune system. We can say that a large part of our immunity is located in the intestine, so food has a direct impact on the stability of the intestinal flora.

How to strengthen the immune system?

One of the most effective ways to improve your immune system's responsiveness is through a healthier diet, which excludes the consumption of sugar, fat and processed products with dyes and preservatives.

You should get foods rich in essential vitamins and minerals, as the regular intake of these nutrients has the power to change and improve the intestinal flora, giving the immune system all the tools to fight the most diverse daily aggressions.

What if, in addition to being healthy, these foods are also versatile and full of flavor?

This winter reinforce your energy with Native Açaí and Native Pitaya

At Native Foods you can find products based on organic açaí and pitaya perfect for your healthy diet.

The versatility of these products allows you to create fun, tasty and very nutritious recipes, which will be great allies of your immunity in the colder seasons.

Native Açaí

Did you know that açaí, in addition to being nutritious, is a powerful antioxidant?

Açaí is rich in:

• Omega 6 and 9;

• Essential minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium;

• Vitamin A, B6, C and E;

• Anthocyanins, which are important pigments in combating premature aging and preventing various diseases.

This superfood, due to its nutritional richness, performs an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, contributing to the protection of our defense cells, to the reduction of oxidative stress levels and to a better immune response.

Native Pitaya

Also known as dragon fruit, pitaya is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants and is also an excellent source of minerals and omega 3 and 6.

Regular consumption of pitaya brings several benefits to your health, such as:

• Improves the digestive process: pitaya has a lot of fiber, which helps with bowel movements. In addition, it contains oligosaccharides, which contribute to an increase in the production of probiotics, facilitators of digestion and important in the treatment of intestinal infections;

• Reduces the risk of heart disease: pitaya helps control blood pressure;

• Strengthens the immune system: pitaya contains a high content of vitamin C, important for the normal functioning of the immune system, and antioxidants, fundamental to fight free radicals;

• Lowers cholesterol levels: pitaya seeds are rich in linoleic acid, which helps lower total and LDL cholesterol levels.

It contributes to a stronger immune system and brings benefits to the cardiovascular system, the digestive system, helps to lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood sugar levels.

AIts color is due to a fuchsia pigment in its composition, which is very rich in betalains, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer properties, among others.

Native Pitaya helps the body in fighting the free radicals and strengths the immune system.

Is it harmful to consume açaí or pitaya ice cream in winter?

There is also the idea that consuming ice cream in the colder seasons is harmful to health, contributing to more colds and even sore throats. Did you know it's just a myth?

It may seem strange to consume an iced food in a cold season, but, in fact, açaí and pitaya can, and should, be consumed throughout the year.

After all, these ingredients allow you to create delicious recipes. We leave you two suggestions for recipes that will leave you salivating, and where you can use Native Foods products.

Açaí cookies

There are several ways to consume açaí, it just depends on your imagination. If you like plain açaí, you can consume any of our versions straight from the glass. If you want to dare to try a more elaborate snack, we challenge you to try the açaí cookies.

Perfect to make on a Sunday afternoon with the little ones or invite friends to try it out. All you need is your favorite cookies and a Native Açaí package.

Pitaya and banana smoothie

Like açaí, you can consume pitaya in its simplest form, or add it to delicious smoothies and bowls.

If you want to start your day off right and give your body an immunity boost, we suggest you try a smoothie with Native Pitaya, frozen banana and vegetable drink Use the amounts you think are appropriate so that the texture of the smoothie is to your liking. You can vary the fruit or the flavor of the drink. You'll find perfect combinations for this nutritious breakfast or snack.

Now that you know the potential of these superfoods, just let your hunger take hold and your imagination flow to create the most delicious Native Foods recipes.