5 Immunity Boosting Drinks To Help You Through The Changing Seasons
The immune system works tirelessly, distinguishing between the body’s own cells and potential invaders. To maintain its vitality, a regular supply of essential vitamins and minerals is crucial.
Especially in changing weather conditions, monitoring and supporting your immune system becomes imperative. As the seasons shift, the body may face increased susceptibility to illnesses. Thus, providing the immune system with the necessary nutrients becomes a proactive step in safeguarding overall health.
To build on your immunity, consider incorporating the following beverages and their recipes into your routine. These concoctions not only offer a delightful taste but also contribute to a robust immune system, ensuring your body remains resilient in the face of seasonal changes.
- Kaadha or Spiced Tea
What You Need:
- Grated ginger: 1 tbsp
- Peppercorns: 2
- Cinnamon stick: 1 inch
- Cloves: 2
- Star anise: 1
- Crushed cardamom pod: 1
- Unpasteurised honey: 1 tbsp
- Tulsi leaves: a handful
Method: Simmer all the ingredients, excluding honey, in a pan with a litre of water for 30 minutes. Enjoy a warm 1/4 cup of this beverage, sweetened with a touch of honey.
How It Helps: This tea possesses antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, enriched with compounds essential for fending off infections. Raw honey’s phytonutrients bring antibacterial and antiviral benefits, actively contributing to immune system reinforcement and combating illness.
2. Turmeric Tea
What You Need:
- Freshly grated turmeric: 1 tbsp or 2 tsp turmeric powder
- Lemon juice: 1 tbsp
- Unpasteurised honey: to taste (optional)
- Water: 4 cups
Method: Simmer turmeric in water for 15–20 minutes, strain, and serve the warm infusion with lemon and honey to taste.
How It Helps: At the core of this beverage lies turmeric, known for its key compound, curcumin, which actively regulates the immune system. The potent anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric tea can effectively alleviate inflammation and reduce pain. This beverage also helps ease bloating.
3. Green Juice
What You Need:
- Coriander leaves: 1 cup
- Mint leaves: 1 cup
- Baby spinach: 1 cup
- Apple or pear: 1
- Cucumber: 1 cup (chopped)
- Lemon: 2 tbsp
- Black salt: a pinch
Method: Combine all the ingredients and blend, adding a cup of water. Consume as soon as possible.
How It Helps: Abundant in vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, and various antioxidants, this juice is designed to counteract inflammation and fortify the body’s defences against infections.
4. Hot Lemonade
What You Need:
- Freshly chopped garlic cloves: 4
- Freshly grated ginger: 1 tsp
- Cinnamon stick: 1 inch
- Water: 4 cups
- Lemon juice: 1
- Raw honey: 2 tbsp
- Mint leaves: 1 tbsp
Method: In a pan, bring water to a boil. Add all ingredients except honey, cover, and let it steep for 30 minutes. After straining, pour the infusion into a glass and sweeten it with raw honey or maple syrup to taste. Enjoy it warm.
How It Helps: The antimicrobial properties in ginger and garlic contribute to the treatment of infectious diseases. Additionally, the antioxidants found in cinnamon have anti-inflammatory effects, potentially reducing the risk of various diseases.
5. Golden Milk or Haldi Doodh
What You Need:
- Unsweetened almond milk: 2 cups
- Light coconut milk: ½ cup
- Raw honey: 2 tbsp
- Haldi powder (turmeric) or freshly grated turmeric: 1 tsp
- Ground ginger: ½ tsp
- Black pepper powder: ½ tsp
- Cinnamon: 1-inch piece
Method: Mix all the ingredients in a pan, excluding the honey. Heat the mixture on the stove over a low flame for 5–10 minutes, being cautious not to bring it to a boil. Once done, remove it from the flame, strain it, and add honey to your liking.
How It Helps: Turmeric’s active component, curcumin, enhances the body’s antioxidant capacity, effectively combating free radicals. The inclusion of spices and nut milk, rich in beneficial fats, exerts an anti-inflammatory influence on the body.
In Conclusion
Incorporating these nourishing and immune-boosting beverages into your routine is not just a delightful experience for your taste buds but a proactive step towards fortifying your body’s defences. With ingredients rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties, these drinks play a crucial role in supporting your immune system. Regular consumption can contribute to overall well-being, helping you stay resilient in the face of changing seasons and potential health challenges. In addition to maintaining a regular sleep cycle, making these flavourful concoctions a part of your daily ritual empowers your body with the strength it needs to thrive.
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/juice-immune-system-boost
- https://www.keralaayurveda.biz/blog/immunity-boosting-drinks-in-ayurveda
- https://skinkraft.com/blogs/articles/drinks-to-boost-your-immune-system
- https://www.healthifyme.com/blog/top-9-home-made-drinks-to-strengthen-your-immune-system/#google_vignette
