As you read this, your body is playing host to countless battles. If you’re currently fighting off an infection, this might feel obvious. But, even if you’re well, the two trillion cells that make up your immune system, with a combined weight of over a kilogram (a little over two pounds), are battling against incoming germs, as well as keeping your own cells in check if they misbehave.
Your immune system is critical for preventing everything from infections to cancer, and can even help slow the ageing process. As such, reinforcing your internal army is key to your overall health.
But what’s the best way to do this? Claims in supplement adverts or made by influencers online can be confusing: some will tell you that a given food or pill is ‘immune boosting’, while others suggest that you need to ‘reduce inflammation’.