Significance of nuts in strengthening immune system during COVID-19

Viral infections are contagious and deadly. Many viral attacks in the past decades including COVID-19 have turned into pandemics and cost millions of lives. Treatment to virus is difficult as they transform themselves into many variants. Thus, an intelligent way of keeping oneself out of the trouble is through better nutrition that enhance immune responses. Foods that provide high quantities of nutrients are vegetables, fruits and nuts. They are rich in fibres, fats, protein, vitamins, minerals and plant bioactive compounds like phytosterols, polyphenolics, flavonoids, etc. Many studies and randomised control trials have proven their therapeutic effects and health promoting capacities. These compounds interfere with the pathways of metabolic mechanisms in the human body and work by either providing a protective scope or by destroying any harmful incomings into the body; that would disrupt the homeostasis. In this article, nuts and their nutritive components that administer healthy benefits are discussed. Almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios, peanuts, chestnuts and Brazil nuts are examined and reviewed here. The nutritional composition of these nuts and their mechanism to offer medicinal properties are explained in detail. Apart from nutritional values, these nuts are rich source of antioxidants that confer anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory features. These activities enhance the immune responses by activating the defense mechanisms. Apart from the intake of highly nutritious diet, practising social distancing, isolation and better sanitation procedures are highly beneficial to avoid the severity of the viral attacks.