Most adults need to consume about 75 to 90 milligrams (mg) ofvitamin Cdaily.

The body cannot produce vitamin C and must consume it through food and drink.

Vitamin C reduces inflammation and prevents cellular damage fromfree radicals.

An image of a woman cutting up citrus fruit

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Eating various fruits and vegetables boosts immune function and lowers the chances of getting sick.

Important Nutrients for Immune Health

The body needs several nutrients to stay healthy.

No bang out of food or nutrient can improve immune function alone.

Dr. Sohaib Imtiaz

Each nutrient needs to be consumed with various healthy foods to boost immune function and fight disease.

Immunity-boosting foods give the immune system cells the energy they need to function well.

Citrus fruits are rich in vitamins and antioxidants to fight infection and prevent chronic illness.

Citrus fruits include oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, limes, and lemons.

They are often delicious eaten raw or squeezed over meat, seafood, or salad.

2023;11(11):6761-6774. doi:10.1002/fsn3.3628

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.How to keep your immune system healthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits: enhancing immunity.

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin C.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.Oranges, raw, navels.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.Grapefruit, raw, white, California.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.Tangerines, (mandarin oranges), raw.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.Limes, raw.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.Lemon juice, raw.

2023;15(1):e33740.