With the appearance of the Swine Flu, boosting the immune system has been on the minds of many people a little more than usual this year.

However, most people will probably be surprised to learn that the single most effective step they can take to substantially reduce their risk of picking up any virus and staying healthier through the cold and flu season costs them absolutely nothing.

Remove Sugar from the Diet. This includes white sugar, brown sugar, raw sugar, cane sugar, powdered sugar and even organic sugar.

Sugar is detrimental to the immune system. It decreases the white blood cells that our body needs for strong immune function and depletes our vitamin and mineral levels, which leaves the body vulnerable to viruses, bacteria etc.

Sugar is not a real food. It is a chemical that impacts the brain in the same manner as drugs and alcohol. It is not only destructive to the immune system, but the nervous system and cardiovascular system as well.

If you have trouble taking sugar out of your diet because of overwhelming cravings, you may want to read:

How to Break Your Sugar Addiction Today

Other important steps to boost the immune system include eating lots of fresh or frozen veggies, increase your protein intake, get adequate exercise and sleep, drink plenty of water and eliminate caffeine.

So if  you’re starting to think about New Years Resolutions, removing sugar from the diet should be at the top of the list.