People often concentrate on seeking special foods or vitamin supplements during the flu season or during an illness as they are believed to boost immunity. Foods such as Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables and foods like chicken soup, and tea with honey are popular examples of food provided to those who are ill. Although our immune system is a complex design which is influenced by an ideal balance of many factors, a balanced diet may provide the extra support necessary. A Diet consisting of a variety of essential vitamins and minerals, combined with healthy lifestyle choices like adequate sleep, exercise and low stress, can effectively boost the body’s ability to fight infection and disease.
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin which can be easily delivered to a different part of our body through the bloodstream. As it dissolves completely in water, the body does not have any stored vitamin C, so it must be supplemented daily through our diet.
The idea that something citrus can help ward off seasonal flu originated due to the presence of Vitamin C in citrus foods which plays a role in managing infections and healing wounds. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can neutralise harmful free radicals.
Vitamin C is essential for making collagen, a fibrous protein present in our connective tissue that can be found throughout various systems such as the nervous, immune, bone, cartilage, blood, and others.
The vitamin is involved in many metabolic reactions such as in producing certain hormones and chemical messengers used in the brain and nerves.
Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of this vitamin, including citrus (oranges, kiwi, lemon, grapefruit), Bell peppers, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower), White potatoes etc.
Although Vitamin C might play one of the most important roles in boosting immunity, it is not solely responsible for the same. Some other food nutrients required for maintaining good immunity are:
Vitamin C is the most used home-based medication for colds and flu we have been given for years. It is no doubt a very effective immune booster but cannot be held solely responsible for curing illnesses. It is rather smarter to add other foods beneficial for our immune activities along with daily consumption of vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables to get the best results.
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