Food and nutrition as modifiers of the immune system: A mechanistic overview.

Background: Despite improved health care, hygiene, and modern facilities, there is a global rise in autoimmune
and metabolic disorders. Coinciding with this is the overall weakening of immunity and increase in allergic
reactions. Food and nutrition play an essential role in developing, maintaining, and activating the immune
system.
Scope and approach: Understanding how an individual’s diet and nutritional status impact the immune system can
unravel many opportunities and challenges. In this review, we discuss the immunomodulatory potential of
nutritional and non-nutritional components of food. We will also delineate the mechanism by which diet and its
ingredients affect the immune system’s development and regulation. Besides, we will give a brief overview of
food allergens and the mechanism by which they induce allergenicity. Finally, we will discuss immune�enhancing functional foods and the associated concerns.
Key findings and conclusion: Food and nutrition is a significant determinant of immunity of an individual. Diet not
only affects the development of immune system, but it also helps in the maintenance of immunity.