Zinc

“Many studies have been done in nutrition and immune function involving numerous nutrients and come out with different, often contradicting results,” says Dayong Wu, PhD, a scientist in the Nutritional Immunology Laboratory, the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, and Assistant Professor of the Friedman School of Nutrition and Science Policy at Tufts University. Because a nutritional intervention may have different effects on people of different ages or nutrition status as noted in scientific studies, Wu says, it’s difficult to make broad recommendations based on study findings.

However, zinc has been indentified with healthy immune systems, and it's a good idea to get enough of the mineral in your diet no matter what. One serving of this unique appetizer provides about 13 milligrams of zinc―that's all you need in a day.

View Recipe: Roasted Oysters with Lemon-Anise Stuffing