Why Do You Need to Support Your Immune System?
The immune system is the body’s defense agent. It is always actively involved in the combat of foreign bodies trying to gain unauthorized access into the body to cause diseases. When the Immune system is down, the body is automatically down. Since the body needs the immune system to function properly in order to avoid illnesses and infections, the body needs to be fed with loads and loads of minerals and vitamins that would support the immune system, making it strong enough to withstand attack and also fight off those attacks.
One of the best and natural ways of strengthening and supporting the immune system is by consuming organic foods that are rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Such foods may include plant-based or animal-based foods. Foods packed with vitamins and minerals asides from strengthening the immune system can also help in the prevention and treatment of certain conditions like flu and cold.
The article has a complete list of fruits that are packed and wealthy with immune system-enriching vitamins and minerals.
Fruits to Eat When Sick
The following are fruits that have properties that can support and strengthen the immune system.
Citrus, Orange, Grape
Citrus fruits are stuffed with vitamin C, an essential nutrient the body is always in need of in order to stay healthy and strong. Taking citrus fruits daily can help up your vitamin c intake.
In addition, vitamin C contains numerous antioxidant properties that protect the organs, tissues, and cells from damage. It helps expedite the healing of wounds, such that its deficiency could delay the healing of wounds. People who are vitamin C deficient also experience delayed or weak immune system response, such that the immune system will be too vulnerable to fight off infections. The recommended daily dosage of vitamin C for adults is 2,000 mg or below. You could also eat citrus fruits if you have flu or cold, as they could help relieve symptoms.
Below is the nutritional profile of most citrus fruits;
- Potassium (oranges)
- Vitamin A (oranges)
- Vitamin B6 (oranges)
- Vitamin B9 (oranges)
- Vitamin C (all citrus fruits)
- Zinc (oranges)
Carrot, Orange, and Apple
A combination of carrots, oranges, and apples can supply properties that can help the body combat infections. On the one hand, apples and oranges supply you with vitamin C. On the other hand, carrots are packed with high amounts of vitamin A, an essential vitamin that plays a very significant function in the boosting of the immune system.
In addition, carrots are also rich in vitamin B6, another essential nutrient that plays an important role in the production of antibodies and proliferation of the cells.
Below is the nutritional profile of this combination of fruits;
- Potassium (carrots and oranges)
- Vitamin A (carrots)
- Vitamin B6 (carrots)
- Vitamin B9 (oranges)
- Vitamin C (apples and oranges)
Apple, Ginger, Beet, and Carrot
A combination of these fruits has the tendency of fortifying your immune system, improving immune function, and reducing inflammatory markers. When the body responds to infections, conditions like inflammation begin to surface. Some of the symptoms of inflammation include a runny nose, body aches, and coughs.
Ginger is packed with anti-inflammatory properties, which would not only help to boost the immune system but also improve the symptoms of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Below is the nutritional profile of the combination of apple, ginger, beet, and carrot;
- Potassium (beet, apple, and carrot)
- Vitamin A (carrot and beet)
- Vitamin B6 (carrot)
- Vitamin B9 (beet)
- Vitamin C (apple)
Tomato
Tomato juice is one of the healthiest juices and a great choice of juice to drink, especially when you are sick. One of the best ways to get the most out of tomato juice is by drinking organic tomato juice made by yourself at home. Processed juices contain a lot of additives that can harm your body and immune system rather than protect it.
Tomato juice is rich in essential vitamins like vitamin B, especially vitamin B9, also known as folate. This vitamin helps in the lowering of infection risks. This juice is also packed with other essential nutrients like magnesium and is a great source of anti-inflammatory compounds.
Below is the nutritional profile of tomato juice;
- Magnesium (tomato)
- Potassium (tomato)
- Vitamin A (tomato)
- Thiamin B6 ( tomato)
- Vitamin B 9 (tomato)
- Vitamin C (tomato)
- Vitamin K (tomato)
Celery, Kale, and Tomato
Mixing kale juice with celery and tomato juices can flood your body and immune system richly with vitamin A. They ate also packed with anti-inflammatory properties that can help in the prevention and treatment of inflammation, cold, and flu. Trying out this juice combo, especially when you are sick, is one of the best favors you would ever be referring to your body. It is the best bribe to give your body in order for you to get better quickly when you are ill.
Experts believe that blending these fruit together and drinking the mixture can help awaken your senses, strengthen your immune system and get your overall health back on track.
Below is the nutritional profile of a combination of kale, celery, and tomato;
- Magnesium (tomato)
- Potassium (tomato)
- Manganese (kale)
- Vitamin A (tomato and kale)
- Vitamin B6 ( tomato)
- Vitamin B9 (tomato)
- Vitamin C (tomato and kale)
- Vitamin K (tomato)
Kiwi and Strawberry
Drinking a mixture of kiwi and strawberry juices together means you would be getting large amounts of vitamin C, being it is a vitamin C-rich drink. Experts have suggested that it is best to make smoothies out of these fruits rather than making juice out of them. It is easier and delicious. You can also add skim milk to improve its nutritional qualities and taste. Skim milk is an animal-based food that is packed with both vitamin C and protein, both of which are rarely found in vegetables and fruits. This adding skim milk to your kiwi and strawberry smoothie can improve the quality of your smoothie.
Vitamin D is a kind of vitamin that most people are always and often deficient in. Larger amounts of it are gotten from sunlight, and only a tiny part of it is in animal-based foods. Getting enough vitamin D either through sunlight or through diets or supplements can help in the prevention of respiratory infections like flu and pneumonia.
In addition, to further get the best out of this smoothie, add Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt contains probiotics that help in the helps the cell pride barriers that are antimicrobial.
Below is the nutritional profile of kiwi, skim milk, yogurt, and strawberry smoothie;
- Calcium (skim milk)
- Manganese (strawberry)
- Phosphorus (strawberry)
- Potassium (strawberry and kiwi)
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B9 (strawberry)
- Vitamin B12 (skim milk)
- Vitamin D (skim milk)
- Vitamin K (kiwi)
- Zinc (skim milk)
Mango and Strawberry
Mango is a healthy and delicious fruit, so also is strawberry. Making a smoothie out of these healthy and delicious fruits will not only satisfy your cravings but also prevent you from eating unnecessary junk.
To explore all the shades of deliciousness and healthiness of this smoothie, make the smoothie by yourself at home, rather than buying processed ones.
On the one hand, mango is packed with vitamin E, which happens to be an essential vitamin that the body needs to strengthen its defenses. Adding almond milk can also help improve the antioxidant properties of this smoothie ad give you a more delicious and nutty taste.
Below is the nutritional profile of mango, strawberry, and almond milk smoothie;
- Calcium (almond milk)
- Manganese (strawberry)
- Potassium (strawberry)
- Vitamin A (mango)
- Vitamin B6 (mango)
- Vitamin B9 (strawberry and mango)
- Vitamin C (strawberry and mango)
- Vitamin D (almond milk)
- Vitamin E (almond milk and mango)
Watermelon Mint
Watermelon is packed with properties that may not only help in the booting of the immune system but also the prevention and treatment of muscle soreness. It is packed with arginine, an immune system booster, and vitamin C, an essential vitamin.
Making a juice out of watermelon can be easy, as it is made up of 90% water. This feature of watermelon also makes it an ideal fruit to help you stay hydrated.
You can add watermelon juice to orange or apple juices for a better nutritional profile and better taste.
Below is the nutritional profile of watermelon juice;
- Arginine (watermelon)
- Citrulline (watermelon)
- Magnesium (watermelon)
- Vitamin A (watermelon)
- Vitamin C (watermelon)
In conclusion, one of the best ways of keeping your body defenses active and strong is by consuming organic foods and fruits. These foods and fruits can also help in your speedy recovery if you are ill.