Immunity boosters are not for all
Nutritionists say eating vegetables, fresh fruits are a must
A 40 per cent growth in immunity-boosting foods has been noted in India after the outbreak of Covid-19 but nutritionists state that these combinations do not guarantee dietary absorption by all organs of the body and are often ejected.
Immunity-boosting powders, juices, pastes, packages and combinations of spices and tea products have been flying off the shelves like never before. Nutrition supplements, nutraceuticals, protein powders and also other combinations in herbal and Ayurveda are being picked by people. These are being taken every day to protect from getting infected by Covid-19.
But does everyone require them? No, say experts. What is needed is a variety of fresh and unprocessed foods daily. Who actually requires these supplements are senior citizens and people suffering from co-morbid conditions like heart ailments, diabetes, cancers, transplant patients and other chronic diseases where absorption of nutrients in the body is a challenge.
Sujatha Stephen, chief nutritionist at Yashoda Hospitals at Malakpet, said, “Young and middleaged people need to eat different varieties of food which are not highly processed. It is very important to have a balance of fibre, protein, vitamins and antioxidants in your food. Eat fresh fruit and dry fruits so that there is vitamin intake and also energy for the body.”
She said that when these foods are eaten, the absorption mechanism of the body is active. It is in a functional state. “When they are taken in powdered form, it is not clear that it will reach all the organs of the body. The products sold in the market are for medical purposes for those who have undergone surgeries, senior citizens and i mmune- c o mpromised patients. For many other products, there is no scientific evidence that they help boost immunity.”
Yet in the pandemic people have been buying indiscriminately. Children, young, middle-aged and old are consuming these daily as a shield against the virus. With the food habits varying and undernourished state of the body, there is a belief that these foods help.
● NUTRITIONIST says the products sold in the market are for medical purposes for those who have undergone surgeries, senior citizens and immune-compromised patients.
Dr Manickam Mahalingam, director of a wellness centre, explained, “Foods containing antioxidants have to be taken in these times to boost immunity to help the body ward off infections. Everyone needs them now especially those who are immunecompromised.”
Immunity-boosting foods are going to be a part of the diet till the threat of the Coronavirus lessens. With an undernourished and malnourished population even in urban areas, the consumption of these foods has exploded.
Nutritionists argue that people fail in making their children cultivate a taste for whole grains, legumes and vegetables. Instead, they have been giving them different sauces, soft foods and highly processed foods.
Making a switch during the pandemic to traditional foods had been difficult for many but that is a cheap booster to immunity.