No single "best" fruit exists for COVID-19, but a variety of fruits rich in Vitamin C, antioxidants, and water content can help support your immune system and aid recovery.
Foods to Avoid if You Have COVID
While there are no “wrong” foods, certain items should be eaten sparingly as you recover from the virus. These include: Foods that are high in saturated fat. Sugary drinks.
Eat fresh and unprocessed foods every day
Eat fruits, vegetables, legumes (e.g. lentils, beans), nuts and whole grains (e.g. unprocessed maize, millet, oats, wheat, brown rice or starchy tubers or roots such as potato, yam, taro or cassava), and foods from animal sources (e.g. meat, fish, eggs and milk).
Take Over-The-Counter Medications
If used accurately, they can shorten the duration of illness by about 24 hours and decrease the risk of complications, especially in high-risk populations. If your symptoms include a sore throat or cough, use over-the-counter cough drops or cough medicine, such as Robitussin or Delsym.
Most citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, lemons, and limes contain high levels of vitamin C, which is thought to help fight infection by increasing your white blood cells. Whether you eat them whole, or squeeze the juice onto your food, don't forget to add these tangy fruits to your regular diet.
Citrus fruit has antiviral activity. Arena viruses that cause viral hemorrhagic fever are blocked from entering cells by tangerine, a citrus peel extract (Tang et al., 2018). Apple beverages have antiviral effects.
Foods loaded with vitamin C, vitamin A, antioxidants, and zinc are particularly beneficial in promoting WBC production. Seek fruits like oranges and kiwifruits, vegetables like carrots and spinach, and other wholesome foods like garlic and almonds to amplify your diet's immune-boosting potential.
“You should be hydrated enough so that your urine is almost clear,” says Thayer. If you have diarrhea or if you're sweating from a fever or chills, make sure you have salt or a little sugar in your fluids—think broths, fresh juices or electrolyte solutions like Gatorade—because salt and sugar can help you retain water.
Day 4-7: Symptom Escalation
7 Steps to Take After a Virus Has Hit Your Home
For example, if you had a fever for several days but are now fever free without taking a fever-reducing medicine, that's a sign of recovery. Similarly, if you no longer have body aches, a sore throat, or a headache, you'll know that your COVID-19 infection is on its way out. You'll start to get your energy back, too.
“If you're at home treating COVID symptoms, remember to stay hydrated,” Dr. Mehta says. “Drink at least 64 to 70 ounces of water every day.”
Easy, nutritious meals should include foods from the 5 food groups:
These include vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc. Herbal supplements, probiotics, and other dietary supplement ingredients might also affect immunity and inflammation. Eating a variety of nutritious foods can give you enough vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients for a healthy immune system.
The immune response from a COVID-19 infection usually tamps down after 3-4 months, says Kawsar Talaat, MD, a vaccinologist and associate professor in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.
It might make you feel jittery on top of your other symptoms. But if you're already a coffee drinker, it's fine to have a cup or two. It won't make your COVID symptoms worse. It might even help you feel a little better (more on this below).
The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu. Most people feel better within a few weeks, but it can take longer to recover. For some people, it can be a more serious illness and their symptoms can last longer.
Eating foods rich in vitamins C and D, protein, and electrolytes can support your COVID recovery. Vitamin C helps your immune system function, aiding recovery and preventing future infections. Many fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamin C:3.
Viral shedding by asymptomatic people occurs. Viral shedding may antedate symptom onset by 2 days. Viral titers are highest in the earliest phases of infection, 1-2 days before the onset of symptoms, and then in the first 4-6 days of illness in patients without immunosuppression.
Many people with COVID-19 get better with rest, fluids and treatment for their symptoms. Medicine you can get without a prescription can help. Some examples are: Fever reducers.
These include citrus fruits, berries, leafy greens, garlic, ginger, yogurt, nuts, and seeds which offer unique benefits, from providing an array of bioactive compounds to boost human immunity.
The best way to prevent COVID pneumonia is to take steps to reduce your risk of getting COVID-19 and other conditions that can damage your lungs. Ways to reduce your risk include: Getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Getting vaccinated against pneumococcal disease, which can cause bacterial pneumonia.
You should also avoid processed foods high in sodium or sugars. Things that are easy to digest are best. Simple items, like lean turkey or chicken in a simple sandwich, chicken soup, bananas, toast and non-flavored crackers are good options. Ice pops made from 100% fruit are good as well.
Vitamin C plays a vital role in the immune system to function properly. Lemon water stimulates white blood cell production and protects cells from oxidative damage.
Symptoms