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Eat This Popular Breakfast Staple for Better Immunity

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Flu season is well under way, and with COVID-19 numbers rising, we’re all trying our hardest to keep our immune systems functioning at their best. We know that eating the right nutrients can help keep us healthy. Luckily, we can get more of these nutrients in our diets by eating one of our favorite breakfast staples — eggs.

Sure, we know that nutrients in eggs can boost our brains and even improve our heart health, but we don’t often talk about eating eggs for their immune-enhancing nutrients. As it turns out, not all eggs are created equal. Nowadays, specialty eggs, like those produced by Eggland’s Best®, are fortified with more of those important nutrients like vitamin D, vitamin E, and lutein, — all of which improve your immune system.

We’ve been hearing a lot recently about vitamin D as an immune-boosting nutrient, the main reason being the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 infection. A recent study showed that over 80 percent of hospitalized COVID-19 patients were deficient in vitamin D. This could be because of how vitamin D works on the immune system.

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Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that boosts the function of immune “T cells” and macrophages, which protect your body against harmful pathogens like bacteria and viruses. Research indicates that vitamin D may play a role in decreasing your risk of respiratory illnesses like asthma and the flu. That being said, as the weather gets cooler and we’re spending less time in the sun soaking in those rays, getting vitamin D through your diet is another way to protect your respiratory tract.

Among the powerful nutrients in Eggland’s Best eggs, there’s also vitamin E. While we frequently think of vitamin E as a nutrient for better skin health, it’s important for helping to keep your immune system up and running as well. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant, which means that it helps reduce oxidative damage that can lower immunity. Vitamin E helps to activate macrophages, those earlier mentioned immune cells that detect and destroy harmful bacteria and other organisms. Studies show that vitamin E could significantly improve immune response and lower your likelihood of getting a common cold. Similar studies have shown that vitamin E may have protective effects on the respiratory tract, too!

And lastly, Eggland’s Best egg yolks are rich in lutein, yet another immune-enhancing nutrient. Lutein is an antioxidant that protects the body from oxidative damage and has been shown to influence immune health. Researchers from one study aimed to determine whether adding lutein to a hen’s diet could influence its immunity. Surprisingly enough, the hens that consumed more lutein had an improved immune response to the bronchitis virus (a coronavirus) — another illness of the respiratory tract.

Eggland’s Best eggs have so many nutrients for your body, including them in your daily diet is a great way to keep yourself healthy during flu season. These eggs in particular contain even more of these essential nutrients, boasting six times more vitamin D, 10 times more vitamin E, and 38 percent more lutein when compared to ordinary eggs! Look for them in the refrigerated aisle at your local grocery store or supermarket.

Here’s to staying healthy all season long!

This story was sponsored by Eggland’s Best

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