A strong immune system is essential to good health
You can help make your own immune system function well by eating a balanced diet. Starting the day with a whole grain cereal from Nestlé is one way to give your system a morning kick-off. Many of the Nestlé whole grain cereal products are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals to help your immune system function properly.
It’s a name we give to a collection of organs, proteins, and cells that all come together to keep invaders out of your body. These invaders can include germs such as bacteria and toxins, both from the environment and from the environment. You can help build your immunity by eating a good diet, packed full of the key vitamins and minerals you need, such as Vitamin B complex, Vitamin D, iron and zinc. Scientists have found that the body’s immune response — how it reacts to the invaders — depends on having enough of these nutrients.
They help build the immune cells and power their function. Some cereals are fortified with vitamins and minerals to help increase your intake of these essential building blocks. If you combine these with getting enough sleep, doing plenty of exercise, and keeping your stress levels low, you’ll be on the way to a strong immune system.
Of course, we all know that it’s important for kids to get their vitamins. But did you know it’s even more important for you to get them as you age? Your immune system needs more support as you get older, and we don’t always get what we need. Roughly one in three seniors have deficiencies of nutrients.
One essential nutrient is the vitamin B complex. It’s a group of vitamins essential to health, including thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folic acid (B9), and cobalamin (B12).
B6 is key to your immune system. It works to make new red blood cells and moves oxygen to your cells. Most of your Nestlé favourites, including whole grain cereals such as Cheerios and GoFree Rice Pops, are fortified with B6 (as well as B2 and B9).
Some Nestlé cereals with Vitamin D include Nesquik cereal and Cheerios. Vitamin D is involved in calcium uptake and use in the body. It’s essential for healthy bones, but it’s also crucial for the immune system. If you don’t have enough of this vitamin, you may be more open to infection.
Another vital nutrient that whole grain cereal provides is zinc. Not only does zinc help keep the immune system strong, but there’s even some evidence that it might help fight off colds. But how much of these vital nutrients will you find in a bowl of Nesquik whole grain cereal? You’ll get between 16-30% of your daily needs*. That’s a great beginning to the day.
*Micronutrient contribution may vary depending on the country.
You can also add some immunity-supporting toppers to your Nestlé fortified breakfast cereals. For instance, a bowl of Fitness Original flakes can be combined with fruit and low-fat milk to make a delicious and healthy start to the day. Milk is a nutrient powerhouse, loaded with B vitamins, vitamin C and folate. And the right choice of fruit can give you a boost. Oranges and other citrus are packed with vitamin C, while you’ll also find it in blueberries, along with minerals such as iron, magnesium, and zinc.
But you don’t have to eat your whole grain cereals in a bowl. Try this recipe for Shredded Wheat Breakfast Bars for an easy-to-make and oh so tasty treat that will give your immune system a lift on the go. So, to kickstart your day, grabbing a bowl of Nestlé’s whole grain cereals could be the perfect way to contribute to your immune system. Couple your whole grain Cheerios or Shredded Wheat with a handful of berries, nuts and milk, and your body will thank you.
The word ‘fortification’ means ‘a defensive wall or other reinforcement built to strengthen a place against attack’ – so what has that got to do with cereals? Well, when cereals are ‘fortified’, it means they contain added vitamins and minerals to help our body work well.
