Can Citrus Fruit Consumption Help Fight the Coronavirus?

 

Did your mom ever give you a glass of orange juice at the first sign of the sniffles? It’s commonly believed that citrus fruit combats colds, but the notion that drinking lots of orange juice will prevent a cold that’s already started from getting worse, or will shorten the amount of time you’re sick, is false. (Though it’s true that drinking plenty of fluids while ill replenishes fluids lost through fever sweats, runny noses, and diarrhea, and staying hydrated makes it easier for your blood to circulate, which in turn allows your white blood cells to fight off a virus.)

The old wives’ tale about orange juice does have merit, however – while it’s true treating a virus by consuming citrus may not do much to help you recover, a diet rich in citrus could significantly lower your chances of getting sick and help you recover faster when you do. Those virus-fighting qualities can also help you when it comes to COVID-19. Read on to find out how.

Virus-Fighting Benefits of Vitamin C

There’s a reason most of our customers like to order citrus during the winter months – apart from being delicious, that citrus gift contains plenty of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells. That’s especially true of white blood cells, which are the body’s first line of defense when it comes to battling viruses.

The minimum amount of vitamin C recommended daily for women is 75mg; for men, 90mg. But studies show that people who consume at least 100 milligrams of vitamin C daily can shorten the length of time they suffer from a virus by as much as 8% (almost double for children). That’s where the catch in the old wives’ tale about orange juice lies, though – for the best benefit, those levels of vitamin C must be maintained regularly; adding them to your diet after you’ve already been taken ill won’t do the trick.

Fortunately, there are many delicious ways you can get your vitamin C – you don’t have to rely on orange juice alone when you buy citrus online from Pittman & Davis! Here are some of the fruits in our citrus fruit delivery you can arrange for yourself, along with how much vitamin C they contain from least to most:

• 1 Tangerine: 25mg
• 1 Honey Mandarin: 24mg
• 1 Clementine: 36mg
• ½ Rio Ruby™ Red Grapefruit: 40mg
• 1 Honeybell: 45mg
• 1 Navel Orange: 70mg
• 1 Cara Cara Orange: 70mg
• Sumo Citrus®: 160mg

As you can see, some citrus fruits contain more vitamin C than others. A single Sumo Citrus® will give you all the vitamin C you need and more, while two tangerines will get you halfway to your goal. But reaching that 100mg target is easier than you might think thanks to other fruits and vegetables that can help get your closer to the amount needed, and there are many ways to incorporate the goodies in your fruit baskets into your meals and snacks.

Infection-Fighting Benefits of Potassium

Potassium is found in our body’s cells – including the cells that fight infection. Potassium also plays a pivotal role in fluid balance, which is important as you lose fluid from by blowing your nose, sweating when you have a fever, or if you are suffering from diarrhea.

Our bodies don’t make potassium, so we need to consume it every day. Below are some of the treats you’ll find a Pittman & Davis fruit delivery along with the amount of potassium they contain from least to most:

• 1 Clementine: 131mg
• 1 Tangerine: 146mg
• 1 Honey Mandarin: 146mg
• 1 Navel Orange: 174mg
• 1 Cara Cara Orange: 174mg
• ½ Rio Ruby™ Red Grapefruit: 231mg
• Sumo Citrus®: 326mg
• 1 Honeybell: 450mg

Other Benefits of Citrus that Help You Fight Off the Coronavirus and Other Illnesses

In addition to important nutrients, citrus fruits contain water, which helps maintain body temperature and transports nutrients throughout the body. The foods we eat contribute toward the daily recommended intake of nine (8-ounce) cups of fluid for women and 13 cups for men.

Citrus fruits also contain certain carotenoids (beneficial plant compounds also called phytonutrients). Our bodies use bodies use carotenoids to make vitamin A, which protects the tissues lining our noses and throats that act as germ barriers. Carotenoids also have antioxidant properties and help reduce inflammation. Hesperidin is another plant compound in citrus fruits that some studies suggest supports the immune system.

To Sum Up…

The benefits are clear…a diet high in citrus fruits before, during, and after suffering from an illness such as COVID-19 can help lower your risk of getting sick in the first place as well as minimize your symptoms and help you get well faster if you do get sick. So eat up, enjoy, and stay healthy!