With the outbreak of coronavirus all across the globe and the change in season, the importance of immunity has been stressed once again. Whether it’s a pandemic or a seasonal infection, a good immunity may perhaps sail us through it all.
As with many aspects of health, our immunity can be boosted by what we consume. Everyone knows that eating a healthy, balanced diet with fresh fruits and vegetables can improve your overall health and well-being. Providing essential vitamins and minerals to bolster immunity.
Plant-based foods made with herbs and spices are the perfect supplements to aid our immune functions. Finding immune support in teas and beverages is also an especially convenient way to incorporate extra immune support into your diet.
We’ve put together a list of 10 immunity-boosting drinks that you can make whether you’re busy working in the office or from home.
Green Tea
Green tea has long been recognized as having powerful antiviral properties. It contains several plant compounds called flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. In particular, green tea is rich in epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which counters the disease-causing effects of free radicals and reduces inflammation.
In studies, EGCG has been shown to enhance immune function. The fermentation process black tea goes through destroys a lot of the EGCG. Green tea, on the other hand, is steamed and not fermented, so the EGCG is preserved.
Green tea is also a good source of the amino acid L-theanine. L-theanine may aid in the production of germ-fighting compounds in your T-cells. One popular form of green tea is matcha. Since matcha powder is made using the whole tea leaf it’s higher in antioxidants and also contains more caffeine.
For the best flavor, loose-leaf tea is always the way to go. When you brew a loose-leaf tea, the leaves have more room to unfurl in the water releasing more flavor in the process. You can also re-steep loose-leaf tea several times, getting a different flavor profile with each new cup. With the right tools, you can brew yourself a splendid cup of tea in your office or at home.
Kombucha
Kombucha tea is a fermented tea that contains billions of gut-friendly organisms (probiotics) that help to strengthen your immune system by bolstering the levels of good organisms in your gut. This provides the first level of defense against pathogens from things you ingest.
According to the research, seventy percent of your immune system lies in your gut flora and the health of the friendly organisms in there to protect you against pathogens and sickness.
Kombucha, especially when made with green tea, appears to have antioxidant effects on your liver. The glucuronic acid in kombucha binds to toxins, which allows the kidneys and liver to push them out faster. Toxins can be anything from harmful carcinogens to the pollution we’re exposed to on a daily basis.
Removing these toxins from the body is an effective way to improve overall health. In fact, studies have shown drinking kombucha regularly reduces liver toxicity caused by dangerous chemicals by 70% in some cases. A huge boost for detoxification, damage repair, and digestion!
This drink’s benefits make it sound worth a shot. At the end of the day, drinking kombucha may help you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle and can be a healthier alternative to soda and other sugary drinks. Give it a try for yourself!
Black Coffee
You know how it is among caffeine imbibers, the coffee drinkers get all the love. It is said to be the biggest source of antioxidants in the Western diet. Studies show that many people get more antioxidants from coffee than from fruits and vegetables combined. In fact, coffee may be one of the healthiest beverages on the planet.
Not only can your daily cup of joe help you feel more energized, burn fat and improve physical performance, but it may also lower your risk of several conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. It may even boost longevity.
So if you enjoy its taste and tolerate its caffeine content, don’t hesitate to pour yourself a cup or more throughout the day.
If you’re interested to know the nitty-gritty of coffee and how you can integrate it into your daily work life, check out our previous articles: Factors That Characterize Great Coffee and Best Coffee Styles For Ultimate Productivity At Work
Carrot, Apple, and Orange Juice
Carrots, apples, and oranges are a winning combination for helping your body protect itself and fight off infections. This classic combination will give you a great boost in energy and nutrition.
As you know, a glass of your favorite orange juice every morning with your breakfast will give your body some much-needed vitamin C, which will help it fight off any infections. Apples are also rich in plant compounds, particularly polyphenols. While the majority of these compounds are in the peel, some from the apple flesh are retained in the juice.
The benefits of carrots also can’t be overstated. They contain antioxidants that help your body fight free radicals, cell damage, and inflammation. Vitamin C in carrot juice also provides an immune system boost, helping you get through cold and flu season.
It’s easier to absorb nutrients and antioxidants from the juice which can easily become a daily part of your office life. So juicing these magic ingredients surely makes a super drink that may provide a big nutritional punch.
Honey lemon water
An excellent health tonic, regular consumption of honey lemon water will help in keeping your digestive system healthy. Drinking lemon water with honey increases stomach acid secretion production and bile secretion. This aids in the easy and systematic breakdown of food materials and seamless absorption of nutrients.
The benefits of honey and lemon also include keeping your body free of toxins and harmful free radicals. It helps in detoxification of the body and makes for an effective liver tonic that aids in improving its function by neutralizing the free radicals in the body.
Therefore, lemon and honey are full of antioxidants and vitamins so drinking a cup every day can be good for your immune system. Honey has amazing bacteria-killing properties and lemons can help soothe inflammation. For extra support, you could sprinkle some cinnamon on top as this can slow down any bacteria in your system and stop it from multiplying as quickly.
Ginger-Beet Juice
Ginger-Beet juice may offer a range of health benefits due to its unique combination of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Beetroots, or beets, have risen in popularity now that researchers have identified links between drinking beetroot juice and lowered blood pressure, reduced inflammation, and improved athletic performance.
Beetroots have an excellent nutritional profile that includes plenty of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They also contain unique bioactive compounds called betalains, which may benefit a person’s health.
Moreover, drinks made from concentrated amounts of ginger root (Zingiber officinale), are claimed to help ward off illness and boost your immune system. It boasts many potent anti-inflammatory compounds, including a variety of antioxidants, which are substances that protect your body from damage by unstable molecules called free radicals.
Citrus Berry Smoothie
This meal-in-a-glass smoothie is bursting with berries and citrus juice, healthful sources of carbohydrates, and powerful antioxidants. Getting plenty of antioxidant-rich foods makes sense for active people since free radicals are produced any time the body’s cells process oxygen.
As we’ve already mentioned, citrus fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C — a nutrient that strengthens the immune system. This includes B vitamins, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and copper. They are rich in plant compounds that have various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Additionally, berries are equally good for you as they have high amounts of other vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function properly. You could combine strawberries with raspberries and blueberries or mix it up with some other types of fruit for an even more nutritious meal.
The easy 3-ingredient smoothie can surely brighten up your day!
Kale, Broccoli, and Spinach Juice
If you are in the mood for green, this juice contains more goodness than you can shake a stick at.
Drinking this vibrant green juice is a great way of getting your 5-a-day in one hit; the green vegetables are full of vitamins and iron. It may or may not immediately transform you into a goddess, green or otherwise, but it will certainly get your day off to a flying start.
Kale, Broccoli, and Spinach juice is a fantastic recipe that may help in boosting your immune system. Bursting with vitamins A, K, C, magnesium, calcium, copper, and potassium. And infused with a dash of ginger, cucumber, or lime, this juice has an exceptional flavor that can surprise you.
If you don’t like eating vegetables, then this juice may not sound very appetizing to you, but it’s worth giving it a try because it’s so good for your immune system!
Turmeric Latte
If you’re looking for the ultimate warm and soothing beverage, this golden turmeric milk latte will be your new best friend. It’s incredibly rich and creamy. And has just the right amount of spices and sweetness to keep you feeling relaxed and satisfied.
A popular Indian spice, turmeric is lauded for its anti-inflammatory properties. The curcumin it contains is believed to help cure colds, fight disease and settle upset stomachs. Try making this golden turmeric latte, which features cinnamon, ginger, coconut milk, and black pepper, which helps the body absorb the herb’s nutritional benefits.
Turmeric or Haldi is also known to help heal from within, and also ease pain and discomfort that is often known to come with seasonal infections. The combination of its ingredients is an excellent immunity-boosting drink that makes for a perfect mix to battle infections.
Red Wine
Yes, you read it right. Red wine lovers may have a reason to rejoice. A daily glass of wine could be beneficial to our overall health, boost the immune system and help fight infections.
According to the research, as little as one glass of red wine a week can increase the diversity of the good bacteria in your microbiome, which can help lower bad cholesterol and keep your weight down. This particular gut microbe also has the potential to avert severe flu infections by breaking down naturally occurring compounds called flavonoids.
Moreover, several studies have uncovered evidence that red-wine polyphenol resveratrol benefits the immune system. Polyphenol resveratrol is a naturally occurring compound found in grapes’ skin and seeds. Resveratrol is thought to protect against high blood pressure by dilating blood vessels. This same study has shown its potential to enhance human immunity, particularly in relation to high-fat diets.
While you probably shouldn’t stop taking your daily vitamins. Drinking a glass of wine daily can give your immune system a boost. Moderate alcohol consumption can ward off infections and keep your immune system in check.
It’s Your Turn To Make Your Immune-Boosting Drinks!
The immune system is critical to our overall health and well-being. The stronger your immune system, the less chance you’ll have of falling ill. To make sure your immune system is in tip-top condition, it pays to think about what you’re putting into your body.
The ins and outs of daily life weaken the immune system. So we should take steps such as eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. And drinking juices that boost immunity to help our bodies defend against viruses, diseases, and infections.
If you really want to boost your health, eating more fruits and vegetables, staying active, and exercising remain the best and most proven ways to do it.
When you find yourself in need of wine, coffee, kombucha, tea, beer, or snacks for your office or event, shoot us a message!
This article was brought to you by Office Libations, your San Francisco Bay Area office coffee, keg delivery, and snack service. Delivering top local brands and kegs of cold brew coffee, kombucha, beer, and wine.
