Good diet, not vitamin pills, keeps a cold at bay

SNEEZING and runny noses blight the winter months but popping expensive pills is not much help when it comes to warding off the common cold, researchers claimed yesterday.

Eating a healthy balanced diet is the best way of boosting the immune system experts say Eating a healthy balanced diet is the best way of boosting the immune system, experts say

Eating a healthy balanced diet packed with fruit and vegetables is the best way of boosting the immune system, say nutrition experts.

Britons spend £396million a year on vitamin tablets and supplements but a report says there is little evidence they keep colds at bay.

“Eating a healthy and varied diet is the best way to ensure that daily vitamin and mineral requirements are met and to boost the immune system,” the report by the British Nutrition Foundation concludes.

Citrus fruits, berries, green vegetables and tomatoes are the best sources of vitamin C which helps to repair the immune system. Whole milk, cheese, butter, margarine and carrots are packed with vitamin A which also boosts the body’s defences.

A Food Standards Agency spokeswoman agreed that a healthy balanced diet was the best way of getting all the nutrients the body needs.

She said: “Vitamin and mineral supplements are no substitute for good eating habits.”

But the Health Supplements Information Service, an industry body, said many Britons’ diets did not give them the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Dietician Dr Carrie Ruxton added: “I would never encourage anyone to say don’t bother with the healthy diet and just take a pill, but it is good to use them in partnership.”

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