As we creep into the winter season, many of us will start taking preventative measures against cold and flu. Eating better, reducing stress, and getting more exercise and rest are some of the ways we can boost our immune system. But what about simply eating more fruit?
Fruit is packed full of vitamins and nutrients that help fight off illness by boosting your immune system. So rather than chugging down expensive supplements, try to be more mindful about what you feed your body. Here are 5 of the best fruits for your immune system to keep you healthy this winter.
- Oranges
Vitamin C is the go-to nutrient when we seek to strengthen our immune system. And oranges are known for their high levels of the stuff. Vitamin C helps lower stress levels, prevents damage to cells, lowers blood pressure, and helps fight off infections.
All of this contributes to boosting health and immune function significantly. But you must have it regularly if you’re to prevent illness, to begin with. This is why so many people make orange juice part of their breakfast every day.
- Grapefruit
Grapefruit is also one of the best fruits to eat for the immune system. Like oranges, it has lots of vitamin C but also contains a lot of fiber and vitamin A, which also support your immune system.
Getting more grapefruit in your diet helps to mix up the variety in your citrus fruits. Plus, they’re mostly water and contain very few calories, so they’ll help keep your weight in check too.
- Strawberries
Like the citrus family, berries contain a lot of vitamin C too. But strawberries have been shown to be one of the best foods to boost the immune system and improve health in various ways. In particular, those with underlying health conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Whether they’re fresh or freeze dried strawberries, they increase the immunological response and antioxidant defense. They also support cell growth and repair, are antimicrobial, and are an effective probiotic for gut health. Put all that together, and you have a very powerful fruit right there.
- Apples
Can an apple a day really keep the doctor away? Well yes. It has the usual vitamins, natural sugars, and fiber to make it a healthy snack. But it’s the skin that holds the real magic. Apple skin contains a type of plant pigment flavonoid called quercetin. This has been shown to boost the immune system as well as reduce inflammation.
- Blueberries
Back to berries, and the blue variety has proven to be quite popular among fruit-eaters. They’re low in calories and have a load of vitamin C, but they also contain natural antioxidants and antihistamines.
These help keep you healthy and reduce inflammation. That means you can reduce cold and flu symptoms while boosting your immune system, helping you recover quicker.
Get the Best Fruits for Your Immune System
Prevention is always better than the cure, so to stay on top of your health and avoid sickness, be sure to feed your body with the best nutrients. While these are some of the best fruits for your immune system, there are lots of other foods that can achieve the same too.
Get a good mix of fruit and veg in your diet, lots of water, plenty of rest, and you’ll be able to fight off almost any illness that dares approach you! And if you want more great food tips and recipes, come and check out the rest of our blog today!
