Immune Boosting Drinks

As we head into winter have you caught a cold or are you feeling a bit under the weather. The following drinks are packed with essential nutrients for everyday health or for fighting off viruses such as the cold or flu. Your immune system needs a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals to keep its energy up and going.

1. Green apple, carrot and orange

Carrots, apples, and oranges are a winning combination for helping your body protect itself and fight off infections. The apples and oranges give you your vitamin C. Vitamin A, which is also critical to a healthy immune system, is present in carrots in the form of the antioxidant beta carotene. The carrots also contain vitamin B-6, which plays an important role in immune cell proliferation and antibody production.

2 large carrots
2-3 Granny Smith apples
2 oranges
Optional: You can also add a thumb of ginger and/or lemon

Cut all your fruit and veg into sizable chunks to fit in a juicer. Remove the skin of the orange, the core and seeds of the apple and the tops of the carrots. Start adding your carrots, then apple, then oranges to the juicer. Once done mix all the juices together with a spoon and enjoy.

2. Beetroot, carrot, ginger and apple

This juice features three root vegetables that’ll help your immune system and decrease inflammatory symptoms. Inflammation is often an immune response to infections originating from viruses or bacteria. Cold or flu symptoms include a runny nose, coughs, and body aches. People who have rheumatoid arthritis may find this juice especially beneficial, as ginger has anti-inflammatory effects.

1 medium beetroot (rinsed, lightly peeled and quartered)
1 medium apple (peeled, cored and quartered)
1 Tbsp size piece of fresh ginger (skin removed)
3 whole carrots (rinsed and peeled)
Unfiltered apple juice (optional)

3. Tomato

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin B-9 which helps lower your risk of infections. Tomatoes also provide modest amounts of magnesium, an anti-inflammatory.

3 pounds very ripe garden tomatoes, cored, roughly chopped
1 1/4 cups chopped celery with leaves
1/3 cup chopped onion
2 Tbsp sugar (to taste)
1 teaspoon salt
Pinch black pepper
A couple shakes of Tabasco sauce, about 6-8 drops (to taste)

Put all ingredients into a large pot, bring to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until mixture is completely soupy, about 25 minutes. Blend mixture. Cool completely. Store covered and chilled. Will last for about 1 week in the fridge.

5. Kale, tomato and celery

Kale is a staple in many green juices, but instead of cutting the taste of kale with sweet fruits, this recipe uses tomato juice, adding more than enough vitamin A.
Adding some spicy horseradish to this recipe may also provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Blend it up for a drink that’ll awaken your senses.

2 celery stalks, chopped plus some to serve
25g kale leaves
500ml tomato juice
squeeze lemon juice (optional)
Tabasco, to taste

Place the celery stalks and kale leaves into a food processor. Add the tomato juice, then whiz together until smooth. Stir through the lemon juice and Tabasco to taste. Garnish with a celery stalk to serve.

5. Strawberry and Kiwi

Strawberries and kiwis are other healthy options to include in a vitamin C-packed drink. This recipe includes skimmed milk which is a good source of protein and vitamin D which helps reduce your risk of respiratory infections like pneumonia or the flu.

2 small ripe kiwis peeled and quartered
1/2  cup fresh or frozen strawberry halves
1/2 medium orange or 1 clementine, peel and pith removed
1/2 banana sliced and frozen
1/2 cup skimmed milk
2 tablespoons rolled oats
Small handful ice optional
1-2 teaspoons honey optional