Coming out of winter and into spring is one of the most glorious times of the year as we say goodbye to the cold and the dark to embrace warmer and longer days. 2020 in particular was a bad year as the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the world, and as we look towards a better future for 2021, restrictions are beginning to ease, infection rates are reducing and vaccine rates are increasing. It’s a well-known fact that eating fresh fruits and vegetables can help to provide a little more protection from such things as viruses while boosting immune systems and facilitating many of the vitamins and minerals that the body needs. While there are many fruits that are ripe for picking in springtime, some of the more accessible and healthiest fruits include:
- Apples
- Cherries
- Lemon
- Strawberries
The humble apple comes in many varieties each with its own unique flavor profile while cherries are an amazing snack on their own, dried or baked. The citrus of lemons is bursting with vitamin C and strawberries are energy bombs that taste amazing, with or without cream.
Apples – One a Day, As They Say
A typical apple is around 95 calories making them an excellent lunch alternative for those on a diet while they provide a significant amount of vitamin C recommended daily intake, as well as A, B, K, and E and multiple minerals such as potassium, manganese, and copper. Studies have shown that intake of certain vitamins including C and D can help with some of the issues associated with Covid-19. People with a low D level were found to be more susceptible to the virus, which took a large toll over the winter, while vitamin C has been found to help reverse some of the damage caused to the respiratory system by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As a result of Covid-19, you can ask your doctor during the pandemic about the hidden benefits of vitamin C.
Cherries – Anyway You Like
High in fiber, cherries provide a large percentage of vitamin C along with copper, potassium, and manganese. All of these can help maintain good digestion, circulation, and blood pressure but one of the best benefits of cherries is their potential for natural pain relief. Cherries have been hailed as one of the best fruits to consume to help combat infections since they have been found to retain their vitamin properties after being cooked when most fruits lose up to 34 percent of their nutrients when cooked in traditional ways.
Lemon – The Bitterest Medicine is the Best
Love them or loathe them, lemons are bursting with both flavor and nutrients, They are found all over the world in warmer climates, and have many uses as a food, drink, or tonic for refreshment or easing of pain and symptoms relating to cold and flu. Bursting with vitamin C, lemons are a well-known preventative measure for scurvy with up to three times more vitamin C in one small lemon than a large apple, accounting for 54 percent of the recommended daily intake. Lemons have also shown promise as an excellent food for lowering cholesterol and preventing kidney stones.
Strawberries – Nature’s Candy
While not as high in vitamins as other fruits such as apples, cherries, and lemons, strawberries have their own health benefits and contain relatively high amounts of protein, carbs, fiber, and healthy fats. Their natural carbs and natural sugars make them suitable for diabetics who have been highlighted as one of the most “at-risk” groups of people that could contract Covid-19. This means that they are a good source of much-needed vitamins and minerals that might otherwise be unavailable to diabetics by consuming another type of fruit, therefore helping reduce the risk of infection.
GLOBAL HEALTH AGING 
Leave a Reply