Adding fruits to kids’ diet can boost their immune system
MANILA, Philippines - With the rainy season continues comes sporadic bouts of weather changes. It’s not unlikely for a day with a warm and sunny morning to end in a cold and gray afternoon.
The shifting weather condition only adds to the health risks that come with the wet season. Parents everywhere need to be more vigilant in keeping their children healthy and safe from sicknesses brought about by the season, especially if their kids go to school.
Although it’s common knowledge that rainy weather can cause sickness to those with weaker immune systems, such as children, why are people more susceptible to illnesses during the wet season?
According to a study by Claire Johnson and Professor Ron Eccles from Cardiff University’s Common Cold Centre, the reason lies in the restriction of our white blood cells. During the rainy season, the blood vessels contract and prevent not only the flow of warm blood but also the production of white blood cells, the body’s first line of defense against bacteria and viruses. With the lack of white blood cells circulating around the body, people are at a higher risk of contracting diseases, causing them to miss school, as well as the social, emotional, and intellectual development opportunities it provides. Diseases are easily preventable, and giving your children a stronger immune system can be as simple as feeding them two servings of fruit every day.
Sickness is easily preventable, and helping your children build a stronger immune system can be as simple as feeding them more fruits, such as two servings of canned pineapple a day.
Dr. Leonora Panlasigui, dean of the Philippine Women’s University’s School of Nutrition, found in her recent study that adding two servings of Del Monte Pineapple to the daily diet of children may help improve their overall immunity. The study shows a 27-percent increase in the production of granulocytes, a type of white blood cell vital to combating diseases, in children who ate two servings of pineapple a day, resulting in reduced recovery time for bacterial and viral infections.
“Even a single serving of fruit a day can make all the difference with your child’s health,” says Dr. Panlasigui. “One serving is good, but the general consensus recommends two servings a day. It’s not that hard to build a fun, tasty habit with the kids that will benefit them in the long run.”
Inspired by Dr. Panlasigui’s study and its results, Del Monte Philippines launched an advocacy entitled “#DMPineappleaDay” to raise awareness all over the country on how incorporating pineapples in the daily diet of children may help improve immunity. Del Monte Philippines, along with Dr. Panlasigui and the other advocates, encourage parents to start this habit to ensure proper nutrition and immunity against sickness among children this rainy season.
