Food and Beverage
Support Your Immune System in 5 Simple Ways
Last Updated on July 12, 2024 by Daily News Staff
Support Your Immune System in 5 Simple Ways
(Family Features) Catching a cold or getting the flu can happen any time of year, but the height of cold and flu season requires extra precaution. Flu activity often increases in the fall and peaks between December and January, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Staying completely healthy throughout cold and flu season can’t be guaranteed, but, along with following guidance from your health care provider, dietary and lifestyle changes can help optimize your immune system and well-being.
Eat Healthfully
Eating a healthy diet is essential for optimizing your immune system. Many experts recommend consuming whole foods and plant foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes as well as whole grains. These foods contain beneficial plant compounds linked to health benefits in humans. Consider one prime example, fresh grapes, and how they may support immune health.
- At the most basic level, healthy cells are the foundation of good health. Natural grape compounds, including antioxidants and other polyphenols, help protect the health and function of the body’s cells.
- Studies suggest some grape compounds – resveratrol and certain flavonoids – may positively influence immune function.
- Additional studies show adding heart-healthy grapes to your daily diet can help support brain, colon and skin health. Maintaining healthy bodily systems is essential to defending against illnesses.
- Grapes are a good source of vitamin K, which may help support lung health.
An easy way to incorporate healthy foods into your diet is with simple recipes like this Immune-Boosting Green Grape Smoothie that contains additional nutritious ingredients that support immune health like spinach, walnuts and Greek yogurt.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is important for staying hydrated, which helps your immune system by keeping the body’s defenses functioning properly. In addition to water, you can increase hydration by eating foods with high water content like Grapes from California, which contain about 82% water.
Exercise Regularly
Getting your blood pumping with a little exercise can help improve immune response and reduce inflammation, according to a scientific review from the “Journal of Sport and Health Science.” Look toward aerobic activities like moderate-intensity walking, jogging and biking to increase the heart rate and encourage circulation of immune cells.
Practice Good Hygiene
You can protect yourself and others at the same time by taking preventive measures, like practicing good hygiene, to avoid spreading germs. At the most basic level, limit contact with others who are sick, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue while coughing or sneezing and wash your hands using soap and water.
Manage Stress
Stress can have a negative impact on many aspects of your health and wellness, including limiting your body’s ability to fight off infection. You can lower stress by practicing deep breathing or meditation and developing good habits like eating right, exercising and getting enough sleep. For late night snacking urges, choose foods such as grapes that are a natural source of melatonin, a compound which helps regulate sleep cycles. Talking with someone you trust, whether it’s a friend, family member or mental health professional, can help relieve stress as well.
Find more immunity-boosting recipes by visiting GrapesFromCalifornia.com.
Immune-Boosting Green Grape Smoothie
Prep time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
- 1 cup green Grapes from California, chilled
- 2 1/2 ounces baby spinach
- 1/3 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 cube (1/2 inch) peeled fresh ginger or 2 teaspoons prepared minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon walnut pieces
- In blender, blend grapes, spinach, yogurt, orange juice, ginger and walnuts until smooth, scraping down sides as needed.
Nutritional information per serving: 280 calories; 12 g protein; 46 g carbohydrates; 7 g fat (23% calories from fat); 1.5 g saturated fat (5% calories from saturated fat); 10 mg cholesterol; 110 mg sodium; 4 g fiber.
SOURCE:
California Table Grape Commission
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Economy
Feeding the Economy Report Says U.S. Food, Agriculture Add $10.4 Trillion
The 2026 Feeding the Economy report says U.S. food and agriculture industries generate $10.4 trillion in economic value and support 48.7 million jobs.
New Feeding the Economy Report Highlights Food, Agriculture Industry Strength
America’s food and agriculture industries generated more than $10.4 trillion in economic value in 2026, accounting for nearly 20% of the U.S. economy, according to the 10th annual Feeding the Economy report released by 35 food and agriculture groups. The new farm-to-fork study also found the sector supports 48.7 million jobs nationwide, including 24.3 million direct jobs across farming, food manufacturing, processing, distribution, retail, and foodservice.
The report points to continued resilience despite inflation, trade uncertainty, and ongoing pressure on farmers and producers. It found food and agriculture generate more than $3 trillion in wages and $1.35 trillion in tax revenue, while U.S. exports totaled $177.3 billion. At the same time, the study flagged softer areas to watch, including flat direct employment in production agriculture and food manufacturing, along with a year-over-year decline in exports. For the food and beverage industry, the report reinforces just how deeply agriculture remains tied to jobs, supply chains, and broader economic stability.
Source:
Tenth Annual “Feeding the Economy” Report Demonstrates Strength and Resilience of the American Food and Agriculture Industries Amid Ongoing Economic Pressures — Feeding the Economy via PR Newswire
Further information:
Feeding the Economy
View the original press release on PR Newswire
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Foodie News
Fresh Brothers Pizza Launches U.S. Franchise Expansion
California-based Fresh Brothers Pizza has launched franchise expansion plans, targeting new U.S. markets with support from Craveworthy Brands.
California’s Fresh Brothers Pizza Opens Franchise Opportunities Nationwide
Fresh Brothers Pizza is taking its next step beyond Southern California, opening franchise opportunities nationwide with backing from Craveworthy Brands. For Foodie News readers, the story is less about another pizza chain expanding and more about how a California-born concept is trying to stand out in one of America’s most crowded food categories: by leaning hard into ingredient quality, hospitality, and menu flexibility.
Founded in Los Angeles in 2008 by Scott Goldberg and his family, Fresh Brothers has grown to more than 20 locations across California. The brand says its appeal starts with handmade dough produced daily, vine-ripened tomato sauce, 100 percent pure mozzarella, and a menu that goes beyond pizza to include salads, baked wings, knots, sliders, pastas, and sandwiches. It also built an early reputation for inclusive options, offering vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices at a time when many pizzerias were slower to adapt. That positioning helped Fresh Brothers earn a spot on Pizza Marketplace’s 2026 “Top 100 Movers & Shakers” list.
Now, with operational support from Craveworthy Brands, Fresh Brothers is targeting growth markets including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and Texas. According to the company, franchisees will receive support in real estate, training, supply chain, marketing, technology, and operations. The brand is also showcasing its model at the 2026 International Pizza Expo and Conference in Las Vegas from March 24 to 26. For restaurant watchers, this is one to keep an eye on: Fresh Brothers is betting that a quality-first, Midwest-style pizza concept can travel well beyond its California base.
Source:
Fresh Brothers Bakes Franchise Opportunity, Bringing a Fresh Take on America’s Favorite Food Across The U.S. — Craveworthy Brands via PR Newswire
Further information:
Fresh Brothers Pizza
Craveworthy Brands
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
Foodie News
Take to the Outdoors with a Fresh, Picnic-Friendly Sandwich
When the weather breaks and it’s time to get outdoors, there’s hardly any better place to be than resting on a deck, lounging in the backyard or curled up on a picnic blanket at a local park. Enjoy that leisurely time with loved ones by sharing a spread that includes these Picnic-Friendly Sandwich.
Take to the Outdoors with a Fresh, Picnic-Friendly Sandwich
(Feature Impact) When the weather breaks and it’s time to get outdoors, there’s hardly any better place to be than resting on a deck, lounging in the backyard or curled up on a picnic blanket at a local park. Enjoy that leisurely time with loved ones by sharing a spread that includes these Picnic Party Sandwiches, perfect for a filling lunch that provides the energy you need for kicking around a soccer ball, playing tag or flying a kite.
Find more lunch ideas fit for enjoying the sunshine by visiting Culinary.net.
Picnic Party Sandwiches
Recipe adapted from “Crunch Time Kitchen”
Total time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
- 1 large fresh baguette
- 1/4 cup fig preserves
- 6-8 ounces cured meats, such as prosciutto, salami and capocollo
- 6 ounces brie cheese, sliced
- 2 cups arugula
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- Mash together room temperature butter with fresh parsley. Set aside.
- Cut fresh baguette length-wise and smear bottom half of the baguette with herbed butter. Top with fig preserves.
- Layer on cured meats followed by slices of brie cheese. For brie, cut off any large pieces of rind.
- In small bowl, toss arugula with lemon juice and salt. Add arugula to sandwich followed by top half of baguette.
- Cut baguette into four even sandwiches and eat immediately or wrap each one tightly in paper or plastic wrap.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/
