The Daniel Fast can boost your immune system because it involves eating a whole food, plant-based diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes (beans, peas, lentils), nuts and seeds, as well as herbs and spices.
Foods included in the Daniel Fast are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals — micronutrients and beneficial bioactive compounds found in whole plant foods. This nutrition plan can boost your immune system, lower inflammation and be protective against several chronic diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
The term immunity is from the Latin immunitas, meaning freedom from, so we’re talking about protection against foreign agents in our bodies including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Here are three ways the Daniel Fast can boost your immune system.
While nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to benefit cardiovascular health, one study shows that it may also help to inhibit replication of SARS and coronavirus. The powerhouse foods rich in NO include dark leafy and cruciferous greens (arugula, kale, spinach, Swiss chard, bok choy, etc.), and beets. We can also include citrus fruits (oranges, kiwi, grapefruit, berries) as well as watermelon, because these fruits enhance the production of nitric oxide.
Anthocyanins, the phytochemical found in blueberries, has been shown to increase natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells are regulatory cells that can limit the spread of infectious pathogens. Other foods rich in anthocyanins include black berries, black rice, concord grapes, chokeberries, and elderberries.
Mushrooms contain beta-D-glucan, which has been shown to increase IgA — an antibody that strengthens our immune system. One study showed that eating ⅓ cup of mushrooms each day will increase IgA production by over 50%!
Broccoli and broccoli sprouts contain a substance called sulforaphane. A study showed those who ate broccoli sprouts experienced a reduction in nasal viral load due to an increase in NK cells.
Overall, eating a whole food, plant-based diet like Daniel—rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes (beans, peas, lentils), nuts and seeds, as well as herbs and spices can be protective. These foods are high in fiber, antioxidants, and phytochemicals—micronutrients and beneficial bioactive compounds found in whole plant foods—have been shown to boost immunity, improve gut health, lower inflammation and be protective against several chronic diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Tip: Consider adding 1 full serving of dark leafy greens or broccoli to each meal of the day. Enjoy 1 to 2 servings of citrus fruit and blueberries (or black berries) each day. Add in 1/3 cup of cooked mushrooms to at least one meal of the day.
Our gut contains an ecosystem of bacteria living in symbiosis and influences the function of our immune system. The "microbiome" is this ecosystem of bacteria in our body. Diet, along with physical activity and stress, play a major role in our gut microbiome. Foods, such as fermented vegetables (e.g., sauerkraut, kimchi) provide beneficial probiotics. Furthermore, foods rich in fiber (e.g., beans, lentils, oats, barley) provide beneficial prebiotics, which are food for the probiotics. The Daniel Fast encourages adding these foods to your diet.
Tip: Consider adding 1-2 cups of cooked beans to your diet daily, and ¼ cup of fermented vegetables every other day.
Reducing or managing chronic stress can improve your immune system health. Stress can often come from strained relationships with family, feeling overstretched at work, and financial hardships. For many, stress promotes unhealthy eating habits. The Daniel Fast: A Bridge to Healthy Living zeros in on restoring health while deepening your relationship with God. It helps with overcoming emotional eating and food addictions. For many, detoxing from junk foods and achieving mental and spiritual clarity aids in making better choices. Learn more about how the Daniel Fast can help you manage stress.
A version of this article was originally published in mytrueself.com.
Daniel Fast: Why You Should Only Do It Once
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