Even when illnesses such as COVID-19, the flu, and the common cold aren’t of concern, supporting your immune system is important. After all, your immune system is your body’s first line of defense against any invader, such as a virus, a bacteria, a toxin, or a fungus, as Johns Hopkins Medicine notes.
One way to keep yours in shape is by reaching for colorful, nutritionally dense foods — including citrus. As the University of Washington points out, among the benefits of this type of fruit is high vitamin C content, which an article published in November 2017 in Nutrients notes can help bolster the immune system. This is thanks in part to its antioxidant effects, which help fight harmful free radicals and strengthen immune cells to fight back against invaders.
Examples of citrus include oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes.
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Even better, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in the United States citrus is at peak season in winter (when infection rates from common viruses tend to climb). When you eat according to the seasons, your produce won’t have to travel as far to your plate as when you eat it at other times of the year — and the food’s nutritional value will remain maximized.
The following recipes help you make good use of citrus fruit and, if you’re enjoying them in the winter, will be sure to brighten your day.
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