Nutri-Gardens Can Help Build Immunity, Reduce Exposure To COVID-19: Experts

New Delhi: Developing nutri-gardens (locally available nutritious food) at Anganwadis can help in protecting children and pregnant women from coronavirus infection by reducing their exposure and building immunity, say experts.

The Women and Child Development Ministry has urged states and union territories to focus on the nutri-garden initiative for Anganwadis, The New Indian Express (TNIE) reported quoting PTI.

Having a nutri-garden in every household can be very beneficial during COVID-19, Somya, programme manager for health, sanitation and nutrition from Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society or JEEViKA in Bihar, was quoted as saying in the report.

“It restricts movement to crowded places like vegetable markets besides saving money. Organic fruits and vegetables help in improving immunity,” she said.

Ajay Srivastava, program manager – health and nutrition – Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion, was quoted as saying that, “Immunity can be built by the consumption of vegetables and fruits rich in B-carotene and ascorbic acid,” Srivastava said.

Sheila Vir, founder-director of the Public Health Nutrition and Development Centre in New Delhi, told PTI that theoretically, it would improve access and consumption.

“Growing of specific vegetables such as spinach, cholai etc in pots would help in improving daily consumption. These minerals and vitamins have immunological property but the diet needs to be wholesome –tiranga colour– cereal (rice/roti), dal and vegetables,” she added.

Regular consumption of such food will also help in meeting the gap of vitamins and minerals which is often referred to as ‘hidden hunger’, experts told PTI.

“There is a need to ensure that such gardens are first established in houses that have a pregnant woman, a child 0-24 months and a newly married woman who will soon enter the stage of conception,” Vir was quoted as saying.