Surprising vegetable has more vitamin C than citrus and can help protect against colds

With flu cases soaring, it is incredibly important to build up your immune systemWoman in supermarket stock photo(Image: Getty Images)

There is one vegetable out there that has more vitamin C than citrus fruits – which means that adding it to your meals could help you fend off pesky seasonal illnesses.

With winter now in full swing, many of us are battling colds and flu. There are also concerns of a rare strain of ‘super-flu’ that has the potential to ruin Christmas in many Irish households. While rest and patience are some of the main treatments for these types of illnesses, there are measures people can take to ease their symptoms during recovery, and these measures may even help reduce the likelihood of falling ill in the first place.

Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining a functioning immune system, which is responsible for warding off infections. If your immune system is healthy, there is a lower chance of getting sick, and if you do fall ill, your body will be better equipped to fight it off.

Including the right amount of vitamin C in your daily diet is considered to help reduce the length of colds. It is also an essential component of a healthy diet, and, along with nutrients such as vitamin D, zinc, and potassium, can help support the immune system. Contrary to popular belief, citrus is not the only, or even the best, source of vitamin C.

There is a vegetable that boasts a higher concentration of vitamin C, and it is readily available for purchase at most supermarkets. Bell peppers contain 80.4mg of vitamin C per 100g, outstripping zesty lemons, which have just 53mg for the same weight, RSVPLive reports.

Oranges also contain 53.2mg per 100g, while grapefruits offer 31.2mg. Incorporating a wide array of fruits into your diet is highly beneficial, and bell peppers are a great addition. Just a 50g serving can fulfil the daily recommended intake of 40mg.

The body cannot store vitamin C, so it is essential to consume it consistently. If you are looking for some more sources of the vitamin, you can also add strawberries, blackcurrants, potatoes, brussels sprouts and broccoli to your diet.