Immunity-Enhancing Foods to Prevent Dengue Fever

AsiaOne ^ | MARCH 14, 2020 | Shabnam Muzammil

[nickcarraway]

Singapore has been hit by a double whammy in recent times. We have been presented with quite a few cases of Covid-19, and an alarmingly high number of dengue cases as well.

It has been a little over two months since the start of the new year and Singapore has already witnessed 3,640 dengue cases as of March 7, 2020.

In addition to the steps we should be taking to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes in our own homes, we can also look into strengthening our immunity by consuming a healthy diet of food for dengue prevention.

FOOD FOR DENGUE FEVER PREVENTION

LIST OF FOODS TO PREVENT THE DISEASE AND BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY

Dengue is transmitted through the bite of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, and despite concentrated efforts by authorities such as the National Environment Agency (NEA), Inter-Agency Dengue Task Force (IADTF) and Town Councils island-wide, the potentially fatal viral infection continues its rapid spread.

NEA's main prevention strategy includes active monitoring and the breaking of breeding cycles. They have also requested the public to be vigilant and check for mosquito-breeding corners in our homes, and to use insect repellents to avoid being bitten.

However, there's more we can do to prevent contracting the disease. We can certainly improve our immunity against the disease by incorporating several effective foods for dengue prevention into our diets.

Here is a list of immunity-boosting food for dengue that can help you fight the virus:

FOOD FOR DENGUE - CITRUS FRUITS

PHOTO: Pexels Fruit like orange, lemon, grapefruit, and kiwi are not just tasty, but also a rich source of Vitamin C. These foods are loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C which increase the production of white blood cells in the body in order to fight infections that come into our systems, thereby boosting our immunity.

FOOD FOR DENGUE - SPINACH

Another rich source of vitamin C, antioxidants and beta-carotene, is spinach. It is one of the healthiest green vegetables around and is vital to be included in your diet. This leafy green vegetable can do wonders for your health by boosting your immune system and improving your digestion.

GINGER AND GARLIC

PHOTO: Pexels These commonly used foods, especially in our Singaporean cuisine, boast of amazing medicinal properties that can boost immunity and help in treating symptoms of dengue.

Ginger is an immunity-enhancing food and is extremely helpful in easing sore throat, nausea, inflammation and other dengue symptoms.

Garlic, on the other hand, has sulphur which helps in fighting infections and strengthening immunity and has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties as well.

TURMERIC

Any list of food for dengue prevention will be incomplete without this golden spice which is loaded with medicinal properties, and which is touted to improve the functioning of your immune system.

Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties as well that are extremely helpful in treating symptoms like joint and muscular pain.

YOGHURT

Yoghurt is another food for dengue that you can easily incorporate in your daily diet, without any preparation (it is as easy as peeling open a tub of store-bought yoghurt) or with minimal preparation (making home-made yoghurt is actually astonishingly easy but requires patience!) on your part.

It is a strong probiotic that ensures good digestive health and improves the functioning of your immune system. Make sure you eat yoghurt at least once a day. You will observe a difference in your body within a few days.

TCM HERBS

Apart from these easily available foods, there are many herbs that are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to tackle dengue through the prevention and treatment of symptoms.

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According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dengue fever belongs to the category of warm diseases. There are many herbs in TCM that are used against warm diseases such as honeysuckle, weeping forsythia, peppermint, raw liquorice root, cape jasmine, raw Rehmannia root, etc.

A concoction of some of these herbs is an effective way to detoxify the body and help in fighting infections. Consult a specialist before brewing up your own home remedy, however, for safe results.

We urge all parents to try to incorporate these healthy food options in your family's daily diet in order to strengthen their immune systems against not only dengue but many other diseases as well.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Odd that they don’t mention Vitamin D and its effects on the immune system. Sunlight and fortified milk are obvious sources. Food sources include salmon, sardines, herring, cod liver oil, canned tuna, egg yolks, and mushrooms. Orange juice is often Vitamin D fortified.

[Coleus]

orange juice is an adulterated food and should not be consumed.

[Bonemaker]

“FOOD FOR DENGUE FEVER PREVENTION

LIST OF FOODS TO PREVENT THE DISEASE AND BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY”

Shhh, don’t tell San Francisco.