POWERFOODS IN AUTUMN

THE BOOSTER FOR YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

With these regional fruits and vegetables you bring variety into your diet and strengthen your immune system

The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are dropping and the foliage is turning into a shimmering gold, autumn is just around the corner. Especially at the beginning of the colder season, a healthy and balanced diet helps to strengthen the immune system and prevent colds. In autumn, numerous regional fruit and vegetable varieties provide important vitamins and other nutrients which, due to their anti-inflammatory properties, help to prevent or alleviate acute or chronic inflammation.

The following selection of regional fruits and vegetables not only brings a lot of color to your plate, but also healthy variety.

BEETROOT

The blood-red juice of the power tuber contains particularly high levels of anti-inflammatory antioxidants, which act as free radical scavengers and strengthen the immune system. In addition, the high content of nitrate, folic acid and betaine has a blood pressure-lowering effect which reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The secondary plant substance betaine also supports the liver and bile, promotes healthy digestion and the excretion of metabolic waste products and toxins. Prepared raw, in juice or grated in salads, the effect of the nutrients unfolds particularly well.

WHITE CABBAGE

Even the Romans appreciated the health-promoting effects of cabbage. Applied externally, they used the cabbage leaves to produce a healing ointment that served to disinfect poorly healing wounds. Furthermore, white cabbage is very rich in vitamins A, B, C and K as well as the minerals calcium, magnesium and potassium. The glucosinolates (sulfur-containing compounds) contained in the leaves have an antibiotic effect and support the body in detoxification. White cabbage tastes particularly good in stews, as sauerkraut or in salads.

BROCCOLI

The small, green cabbage on the stalk is so healthy mainly because of its high content of so-called flavonoids. These anti-inflammatory, secondary plant substances are not produced by the body itself and must therefore be taken in through food. Furthermore, broccoli is particularly rich in vitamins A, B and C as well as potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium.

WALNUTS

Good for body and soul. Walnuts contain many healthy omega-3 fatty acids. These have an anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, blood-thinning, triglyceride-lowering and mood-lifting effect. Due to their high content of vitamin B, walnuts also promote mental performance and concentration.

APPLES

An apple a day ... not for nothing does a well-known proverb advocate the daily consumption of an apple to maintain health. Apples are true nutrient packages. In addition to a wealth of essential vitamins, they contain above all flavonoids and quercetin, as secondary plant substances with anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, apples contain pectin. This helps to bind toxins in the intestines and to excrete them. Apples are best eaten raw and with skin.

SLIGHTS

Blackthorn is one of the probably less known regional autumn fruits.

The small, blue berries are real miracle weapons for the treatment of inflammations in the mouth, throat and pharynx. They contain tanning agents with an astringent effect (astringent) and form a protective effect on the mucous membranes, which promotes the healing of inflamed tissue and inhibits the multiplication of pathogens. Blackthorn can be drunk as tea or used as a gargle solution to treat inflammation in the mouth and throat area.

HORSERADISH

The root of the horseradish plant is rightly called vegetable penicillin.

The root owes its antibiotic properties to the high content of glucosinolates, which inhibit the growth of numerous bacteria. They are particularly effective for respiratory and urinary tract infections.

Applied externally, the ingredients promote the blood circulation of the tissue, which is why horseradish is also used to treat mild muscle pain. In addition, horseradish is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B1, B2, niacin, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus.