90% of Taiwanese Children Lack Sufficient Fruit Intake; Doctors Remind Balanced Nutrition Helps Immunity
A domestic survey reveals that only 6.4% of Taiwanese children aged 7-12 meet daily fruit intake recommendations. Doctors emphasize the importance of eating whole fruits, like kiwis, to boost the immune system and improve gut health.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 14:56
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(Central News Agency, reporter Tseng I-ning, Taipei, 22nd) A domestic survey points out that only 6.4% of children aged 7 to 12 reach the recommended daily intake of 2 servings of fruit. The Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan reminds us that balanced nutrition helps immune system development, especially since fruit is the most overlooked key to immunity among the 6 major food categories.
According to a survey by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, among elementary school students aged 7 to 12, only 6.4% meet the recommended daily intake of 2 servings of fruit, and even among their parents, only 5.9% reach the goal. Overall, over 80% of the Taiwanese population has insufficient fruit intake.
Chiu Cheng-hsun, chairman of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan, pointed out that insufficient fruit intake has a significant impact on children's health, potentially affecting the immune defense against diseases, as well as causing an imbalance in growth, development, and gut immunity. Yet, fruit is the most neglected among the 6 major food groups, but also the easiest gap to fill.
Chiu Cheng-hsun noted that Vitamin C is related to the activity of lymphocytes and phagocytes. If bactericidal power is insufficient, children's susceptibility to infectious diseases increases significantly. In addition, the dietary fiber in fruit is a crucial key to maintaining the operation of 70% of the gut's immune cells.
Huang Yu-cheng, standing supervisor of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan, said balanced nutrition is one of the four core foundations of immunity. The body is like a large factory where every small unit must help and coordinate with each other; a problem in one area will affect the whole. Therefore, relying solely on single supplements cannot replace the nutritional value of natural foods.
Huang Yu-cheng used kiwifruit as an example, pointing out that it contains natural Vitamin C, dietary fiber, and polyphenols. It is not only related to immunity but also to various body functions such as improving constipation, helping the growth of intestinal flora, reducing fatigue, and improving emotional distress.
Hsu Hui-yu, director of the Food and Nutrition Center of the John Tung Foundation, explained that although the newly released draft of Taiwan's 2026 Daily Dietary Guidelines and the latest US dietary guidelines have different emphases, both stress "choosing whole, high-nutrient-density foods" and recommend eating vegetables and fruits of various colors every day.
Hsu Hui-yu also debunked myths such as "juice can replace fruit" and "fruit intake should be reduced to avoid getting fat." Commercial juices often filter out fiber and add sugar during processing, which easily causes a rapid rise in blood sugar. Furthermore, as long as portions are controlled or low-calorie, high-nutrient fruits are chosen, weight gain can be avoided.
Hsu Hui-yu recommends adding a serving of high-nutrient-density whole fruit, such as kiwi, guava, or cherry tomatoes, to breakfast every day to activate immune protection at the start of the day and provide energy for good gut bacteria.
According to a survey by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, among elementary school students aged 7 to 12, only 6.4% meet the recommended daily intake of 2 servings of fruit, and even among their parents, only 5.9% reach the goal. Overall, over 80% of the Taiwanese population has insufficient fruit intake.
Chiu Cheng-hsun, chairman of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan, pointed out that insufficient fruit intake has a significant impact on children's health, potentially affecting the immune defense against diseases, as well as causing an imbalance in growth, development, and gut immunity. Yet, fruit is the most neglected among the 6 major food groups, but also the easiest gap to fill.
Chiu Cheng-hsun noted that Vitamin C is related to the activity of lymphocytes and phagocytes. If bactericidal power is insufficient, children's susceptibility to infectious diseases increases significantly. In addition, the dietary fiber in fruit is a crucial key to maintaining the operation of 70% of the gut's immune cells.
Huang Yu-cheng, standing supervisor of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan, said balanced nutrition is one of the four core foundations of immunity. The body is like a large factory where every small unit must help and coordinate with each other; a problem in one area will affect the whole. Therefore, relying solely on single supplements cannot replace the nutritional value of natural foods.
Huang Yu-cheng used kiwifruit as an example, pointing out that it contains natural Vitamin C, dietary fiber, and polyphenols. It is not only related to immunity but also to various body functions such as improving constipation, helping the growth of intestinal flora, reducing fatigue, and improving emotional distress.
Hsu Hui-yu, director of the Food and Nutrition Center of the John Tung Foundation, explained that although the newly released draft of Taiwan's 2026 Daily Dietary Guidelines and the latest US dietary guidelines have different emphases, both stress "choosing whole, high-nutrient-density foods" and recommend eating vegetables and fruits of various colors every day.
Hsu Hui-yu also debunked myths such as "juice can replace fruit" and "fruit intake should be reduced to avoid getting fat." Commercial juices often filter out fiber and add sugar during processing, which easily causes a rapid rise in blood sugar. Furthermore, as long as portions are controlled or low-calorie, high-nutrient fruits are chosen, weight gain can be avoided.
Hsu Hui-yu recommends adding a serving of high-nutrient-density whole fruit, such as kiwi, guava, or cherry tomatoes, to breakfast every day to activate immune protection at the start of the day and provide energy for good gut bacteria.