WISCONSIN - In this informative piece, Jenny Heap explores the importance of immune support as seasonal allergies emerge. Heap highlights various nutrients essential for immune health and emphasizes the potential benefits of whole foods, such as potatoes, in delivering these nutrients effectively:

As winter fades and spring blooms, so do seasonal allergies. With lingering challenges of COVID-19 and flu season, supporting a resilient immune system is more crucial than ever. While the peak of respiratory virus season varies, maintaining a strong immune system is crucial year-round. Despite fluctuations 1 in COVID-19, flu, and RSV hospitalizations, the importance of immune health remains constant.

Registered dietitians understand that the interest in immune health has been significantly heightened since the COVID-19 pandemic, with many people turning to supplementation for enhanced immune function. While it is well documented that malnutrition and certain nutrient deficiencies impair immune function, whether immunity can be enhanced by consuming high levels of these nutrients via supplementation still lacks scientific consensus. Though nutrient supplementation might be necessary in some cases to ensure adequate intake, all of these immune-supporting nutrients can be found in common foods. No single whole food provides all, but some – like potatoes – can deliver a surprising dose in just one serving.

Nutrients that support immunity 

Several nutrients including zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C, D, and E, are required to support an immune system capable of mounting a healthy response to invading pathogens.

Potatoes and potato dishes can help boost consumption of several of these immune-critical nutrients, along with others, essential for general health and wellness.

In addition to providing 620 mg of potassium (more than a banana), 2 grams of dietary fiber, and 3 grams of high-quality protein, one medium 5.3-ounce potato delivers:

• Vitamin C: 20 mg, 30% DV
• Vitamin B6: 0.2 mg, 10% DV
• Iron: 1.1 mg, 6% DV
• Polyphenols
• High-Quality Protein: 3 g
• Dietary Fiber: 2 g, 7% DV
• Potassium: 620 mg, 15% DV 

Choose complementary ingredients to support a healthy immune system:

• Give these new potato dishes a try in your quest to keep immunity strong. Each ingredient adds immune-supporting nutrients that perfectly complement the ben fits found in potatoes.
• Adding arugula to a pot of mashed potatoes adds vitamin A to the dish.
• Mashed purple potatoes boost polyphenols.
• Roasted potato salad with egg and herb vinaigrette is packed with immune-critical nutrients, including vitamin A (herbs and arugula), vitamin E (olive oil) and vitamin D (eggs).

See the full piece here.