And it’s important to make room for them in your diet because the nutrients in these fruits support the immune system and overall health, Ruggles says, not to mention a healthy weight. Vitamin C can also be beneficial for fighting winter colds and illnesses — and citrus fruits are replete with it.
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The most recent research suggests choosing whole foods with vitamin C, rather than vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplements.
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Vitamin C helps the body produce white blood cells, which Ruggles describes as the “warrior cells” in the immune system.
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“Those cells attack foreign invaders like viruses and bacteria,” she says. Vitamin C–rich citrus fruits may be a highlight in the winter, but they’re not the only nutritious fruits the season has to offer in North America. Here, explore eight of the best fruits to eat during the winter.