by Audrey Moore

Want to be healthy? A strong immune system is a must. It can help protect you from all kinds of illness and disease, so you can stay busy in the studio and on the stage, looking healthy and fit in your favorite dance outfits. And while lots of sleep and exercise are important, when it comes to kicking up your immune system a notch, the foods you eat often have the biggest impact.

When you have a vitamin-rich diet -- chock full of lots of colorful fruits -- you can reap the benefits in the form of a better immune system and less sickness. In fact, fruits are packed with a variety of nutrients known to boost immunity, such as Vitamin C. Not only that, but they contain a many types of antioxidants and different nutrients our bodies need to build strong, lean muscle, as well as absorb nutrients from other foods better. For instance, if you add citrus to a spinach salad, the citrus helps your body absorb more of the iron found in spinach.

Just make sure when you consume fruit, it's in the whole form. When you cook fruit, or if it's processed in some other way, it can remove some of the nutritional value.

So what are some summer-time fruits to add to your diet to boost your immune system and stay healthy and strong? Here's a look at a few:

#1: Watermelon

Watermelon is classic summertime fare. There's nothing like sitting outside on a warm summer night, enjoying a slice of it. What's even better is that you can enhance your immune system in the process. Not only is watermelon packed full of Vitamin C, but it's also rich in Vitamin A and has loads of lycopene. Lycopene is especially important for dancers because it helps to protect and repair the body from damage. Beyond that watermelon can also help your body to fight inflammation and also reduces infection, while improving energy levels.

#2: Blueberry

Blueberries are a great food to add to your diet all year long, but they're especially delicious during summer. Not only that, but they're more cost-effective, too, to purchase when they're in season. And there's more good news. While blueberries are responsible for a host of health benefits, one recent study showed that this little blue fruit can seriously support your body's immune system. It's no wonder, really, considering blueberries are packed full of antioxidants.

Beyond helping with your immune system, blueberries can decrease your risk for heart disease and diabetes and also promote a healthier complexion and hair. Eating blueberries as a regular part of your diet can also lead to a boost in overall energy.

#3: Kiwifruit

Eating kiwifruit is an easy way to get a heavy dosage of Vitamin C. In fact, one small cup of kiwi delivers almost 275% of the daily recommended allowance of Vitamin C, which is vital for a healthy immune system. Beyond that, kiwi is known to improve your respiratory health, which is also critically important for a dancer. It can also help prevent vision and eye disease, as well as cardiovascular illness.

#4: Strawberries

From strawberry picking to strawberry shortcake, this small red fruit is another summer-time classic. Not only is the fruit itself a good source of both Vitamins A and C -- both of which can positively impact your immune system -- but the seeds can also help support your immune function.

In addition, strawberries can help prevent heart disease, macular diabetes, and even some types of cancer with their free-radical fighting power. So whether you're slicing them on top of a salad, or simply eating them whole, make sure you add strawberries to the menu this summer. You can even add them to other immune-boosting foods, like yogurt, for added benefits.

#5: Cherries

Nothing says summer quite like picking cherries straight from the tree and eating them. And when you do, you're giving your body's immune system a big leg up in the process. Cherries have plenty of Vitamins A and C; they're also packed full of folate and Vitamin E, all of which help to support the body's immune system.

On top of that, cherries can also help to relieve pain -- another added benefit for dancers. Cherries are a natural anti-inflammatory food. So consuming them can help cut down on joint pain in your body.

#6: Oranges

While oranges are often consumed year-round, they're always a good fruit to add to your diet. In fact, one medium orange contains around 120% of the daily recommended dose of Vitamin C. Not only that, but they're also packed full of Vitamin A and fiber, the latter of which has been found to fight inflammation and help you recover faster from an infection.

Want to improve your healthy look this summer with some new dance outfits?

The foods you eat during summer will have a big impact on your internal health. And if you want to boost your external appearance as well, consider investing in some new dance outfits. From dance leggings to crop tops, accessories and more, Just for Kix gives you access to exclusive brands and affordable prices. We offer everything a dancer needs to look their best on the stage!