No one wants to get sick. The last thing you want is to spend a few days on the sofa with a box of tissues for company. The best way to avoid getting ill is by having a healthy, powerful immune system. Making sure that your immune system is firing on all cylinders will keep illnesses at bay.
There are two main things that you can do to boost your immune system, which are both equally as important. First, you should exercise. And secondly, you should eat the right foods. Fruit is a nutritious, tasty food that is packed full of immune system-boosting goodness. The following are ten fruits that will help to boost your immune system. Add them to your diet, and you’ll be sure to avoid a pesky cold or flu.
Citrus Fruit
Citrus fruits are packed full of Vitamin C. The reason why this vitamin is so good for your immune system is that it increases the number of white blood cells that your body produces. There are loads of tasty citrus fruits that you can eat for these benefits, including oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, tangerines, and mandarins. While you might be tempted to drink it as a juice, it’s much better to eat citrus fruits, preferably accompanied with some protein, which will ensure that your body processes the sugar properly.
Red Bell Pepper
It might surprise you to know that red bell peppers are a fruit, as people often refer to them as vegetables. Actually, botanists define the bell pepper as a form of berry. Regardless of what category it falls into, it is a fantastic food for boosting your immune system. That’s because it has a lot of Vitamin C in it. And it also contains beta carotene, which will help to keep your skin and eyes in good working order.
Papaya
Papaya is another fruit that is rich in Vitamin C, with it containing a whopping 224% of your recommended daily dosage of the vitamin. But it contains more than simply Vitamin C. It also has potassium, B vitamins, and folate inside it, which are all excellent for your health. And that’s not all. Papayas contain an enzyme called papain, which is great for reducing inflammation.
Kiwi
Kiwis are a fruit that proves great things often come in small packages. They contain a lot of Vitamin C, and they also have folate, potassium, and Vitamin K inside them. Taking in all of these nutrients via a kiwi will undoubtedly give your immune system a much-needed boost.
Strawberries
Strawberries don’t just taste amazing with cream or ice-cream. They are also great for your immune system. That’s because they have a large amount of Vitamin C in them, with 100g containing 58g of Vitamin C. Strawberries are also a very good source of manganese, folate, and potassium. And they even have a small amount of iron, copper, magnesium, and phosphorous inside them, as well as Vitamin B6, Vitamin K, and Vitamin E.
Apricots
Apricots are a great source of carotenoids, which are antioxidants that contribute to the regulation of your immune system. That’s because they turn into Vitamin A when consumed. Apricots are also a good source of fiber, which helps keep your gut healthy.
Mango
Mangos are another stone fruit that is a great source of carotenoids. Eating a significant amount of mango can truly boost your immune system. Mangos also contain a huge amount of Vitamin C, as well as a lot of copper, Vitamin B6, folate, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E. They are full of antioxidants, including mangiferin, which will help to keep your heart healthy.
Elderberry
Eating elderberries is a decision that your immune system will thank you for. That’s because they offer anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-cancerous properties. In fact, elderberry syrup has even been used to treat people suffering from colds and the flu. Elderberries contain Vitamin A, potassium, Vitamin C, folate, calcium, and iron. It’s a superb all-round fruit that can give you countless health benefits.
Watermelon
Watermelon isn’t just low in calories; it’s also high in immune system-boosting properties. And you don’t have to eat watermelon for these benefits you can get them from drinking it too. Watermelon is packed full of potassium, as well as a significant amount of Vitamin A and C. These are excellent for the immune system. Watermelon also includes Vitamin B6 and glutathione, which are both very important for ensuring that your immune system functions to the best of its ability.
Acai Berries
There are so many berries that are good for your immune system, but acai berries are particularly useful. That’s because they are full of anthocyanins. These are antioxidants that are fantastic for your body, especially your immune system. They are flavonoid molecules, which don’t just boost your immune system but also help to reduce inflammation too.
This fruit is so beneficial for your body that it is even recommended that people consume it as part of their treatment of severe diseases – such as lower rectum cancer and COVID-19 – as they can help to contribute to curing these diseases. Acai berries are also delicious and can be consumed as part of your breakfast or as a dessert after your dinner.
Conclusion
These ten fruits are all fantastic for boosting your immune system. And you wouldn’t do wrong by introducing them to your diet. But remember, fruit isn’t the only type of food that’s good for boosting your immune system. Combine these fruits with other healthy foods – like mushrooms, fish, and nuts – and you’ll find your body functioning better, and, as a result, you’ll start to become ill less frequently, because your immune system will be working to the very best of its ability. And also, remember that exercise will help to boost your immune system.
