Cashews

Cashews helps you "Eat for Your Immune System" because a serving (2oz - 58.6g) provides 10% or higher of your daily value for the immune healthy minerals selenium and zinc plus they contain antioxidants in the form of polyphenolic phytochemicals.

Selenium deficiency has been shown to impair the immune system, in fact some research suggests selenium can also stimulate an immune response even when selenium status is relatively normal. It is thought this mineral plays a role in the signaling involved in the eliciting of the immune response - some viruses are known to become more virulent when selenium is low. Similarly, low zinc status is also associated with an impaired immune response - those suffering from it become more susceptible to infections such as diarrhea, pneumonia and malaria.

Also, the sort of age-related declines in immune function seen in the elderly (increased infection rates etc.) mirror those of zinc deficiency. The antioxidant phytochemicals present in 2 oz of cashew nuts, as evidenced by an ORAC score of 1,106, may also play a key role in immune function. The decline in immune function seen in extreme athletes (marathon runners) and soldiers after physical exertion is similar to that seen in old age.

North Carolinas' Appalachian State University researchers suggest antioxidant polyphenols like quercetin can significantly reduce infection rates in such populations therefore improving a weakened immune function.

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18522619?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum