Agricom.id, JAKARTA – The nutritionist from Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB), Ali Khomsan suggested the people to consume the agricultural products regularly. He thought that the products, such as, vegetables and fruits could increase the immunity in body particularly to face the spread of corona virus (Covid – 19).

“At least, the people should consume the vegetables and fruit having vitamin C and E. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggested us to consume 150 gram of vegetable and 250 gram of fruit in every single day,” he said, Sunday (21/3/2020) as in the official statement to Agricom.id.

He continued that vitamin C could be from papaya, orange, and guava. Meanwhile vitamin E could be from the bean sprout, carrot, green radish, and broccoli.

“In order to be able to prevent the diseases (virus, germ, and bacteria), the lymphocyte should be enough. Consuming high dose of vitamin C could increase the numbers of lymphocyte. It functions as the anti-biotic in our body to destroy the virus which causes the diseases,” Ali said.

He also mentioned that Vitamin C could increase the numbers of glutation in our body that mobiles in every single day. The glutation is the anti-oxidant in our body that maintain the immune system. Consuming vitamin C about 500 mg in every single day could increase the numbers of glutation in the body up to 50 percent.

"The problem is that the people of Indonesia consume only about 100 grams per day in average. This is our responsibility that the agriculture products are important for the immunity,” he said.

About the Covid-19, Ali thought, vitamin C has its ability to improve the work system to the lungs. Those who consume lots of vitamin C has the chance to be fit and good, could protect themselves from the chronic bronchitis. Furthermore, the Covid – 19 tends to attack the breathing and lungs.

But he emphasized that it needs to educate the people to consume balanced nutrition which means that the good life should not forget to consume the fruits and vegetables.

“Every family should provide fruits in every single day as parts of snack. For Indonesia is in the tropical region and produces kinds of fruit, it is better if the people advantage the extraordinary resources to consume fruits and vegetables for their health,” he said.

About this, ministry of agriculture keeps consolidating to empower the fruit and vegetable production. It is about to fulfill the domestic needs and encourage to make one region one variety both in the open areas and the house yards in groups.

Besides ministry of agriculture also encourages that the vegetable and fruit plantations should be registered and certified to guarantee the qualified production. At least, general directorate of horticulture targeted that 2.200 plantations and areas of agricultural business would be registered. (A2)