COVID-19: Experts say these fruits, vegetables boost immunity

Experts have identified some fruits and veggies rich in vitamin C, which can help boost immunity and strengthen the body’s resistance against diseases.

Citrus fruits
Common citrus fruits are grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes, clementines. These fruits contain daily required amount of vitamin C for good health. A consultant nephrologist and renal transplant physician, Dr Fagboyega Faponle, at the Zenith Hospital, Abuja, in a British Broadcasating Corporation report noted that citrus fruits like oranges are immune boosters to safeguard against diseases.

A dietician in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, United States of America, Melissa Majumdar, stated that consumption of 200 milligrammes of vitamin C from a combination of foods such as oranges, grape fruits, and strawberries may slightly reduce the duration of cold symptoms.

“Vitamin C increases blood levels of antibodies and helps to differentiate white blood cells, which help the body determine what kind of protection is needed,” Majumdar explained.
According to a food scientist, H.K Bakhru “ Orange is a rich source of protective food ingredients like vitamins A, B, C and calcium. Its vitamin C content helps the body tissues to use the calcium contained in the food.”

Bakhru declared that eating orange often can prevent frequent attacks of common cold, influenza and bleeding tendencies.
“It keeps one healthy and strong and contributes towards longetivity. Orange juice, among all the fruit juices, is more suitable for all ages and can be given with advantages in all kinds of diseases,” he said.

Red bell pepper
Red bell peppers contain twice as much vitamin C as citrus fruits. Apart from boosting the immune system, they may help maintain healthy skin.