These are the foods your body really needs to stay healthy.
By Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD | 2023
One of the most important ways to stay healthy is to adopt habits that strengthen immunity. Getting enough sleep, managing stress, being active, washing your hands properly, and eating well all support your immune system.
While no food or supplement can “cure” or even 100% prevent you from catching a virus, like SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, or the flu, some foods help bolster immunity.
Here are some immune-strengthening foods and how to incorporate them into your regular meals and snacks.
Citrus Fruits and Red Bell Peppers
Vitamin C, the superstar nutrient in citrus, is famous for supporting the immune system. While vitamin C can't prevent illness, it can shorten the length of a common cold. Vitamin C is necessary for your diet because your body doesn't naturally make the nutrient.
Vitamin C supports your immune system in the following ways:
Protecting your DNA and your body's proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates from damage
Making certain enzymes in your body work
Getting infection-fighting cells to the infection site
Getting rid of cells that are done clearing an infection
You need to consume 100–200 milligrams daily to maintain a healthy level of vitamin C and reduce your risk of illnesses.1
One medium orange provides 70 milligrams, a medium grapefruit contains almost 80 milligrams, and a half cup of raw red bell pepper packs 95 milligrams.…

