Drinks To Increase Immunity

A lot of liquid is a good help for the body during a viral infection. Doctors of various specialties agree with this. Water takes part in the process of saturating the blood with oxygen, as well as in the removal of toxins, as it is indispensable for the harmonious functioning of the immune system . An important recommendation for any respiratory disease is to ensure a high level of body hydration, i.e. drink a lot.

The same advice is effective for disease prevention. Pay attention to several active ingredients that can be added to ordinary water to enhance its effect on immunity and create your own unique health drink .

Citrus fruits

Everyone knows that citrus fruits are a rich natural source of vitamin C. But how to consume them correctly and prepare drinks with them to strengthen immunity? Most recipes use the peel or rind, but they contain much less vitamin C than the fruit juice. In addition, vitamin C is extremely unstable to heat: if you pour boiling water over the peel or fruit slices, most of the ascorbic acid is destroyed after only 2-3 minutes. For some reason, the most correct option is to mix fresh citrus juice with pulp in half with water (it is a source of useful fiber). Such a drink will have less sugar and more benefits.

Echinacea

Scientists have proven that echinacea is a champion in the fight for immunity . Many studies indicate that it is very effective in fighting colds and viral diseases. Due to the high content of essential oils, antioxidants, organic acids, vitamins of groups A, C, E in this plant, a decoction or drink based on echinacea extract increases immunity and helps the body cope with viruses. Also, the drink can be effective against flu, herpes and other viral diseases. Echinacea is rich in trace elements (iron, calcium, selenium), which have a therapeutic effect on the hematopoietic system, as well as the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue structures.

Echinacea extract has the greatest benefit: it contains the highest concentration of active medicinal components. To prepare an immunostimulating drink based on it , you need to add a few drops of the extract to warm water (not boiling water) along with slices of citrus fruits - lemon, orange, grapefruit. Use stevia syrup or powder as a sweetener. When consuming echinacea, it is important to remember that the effect of this plant on the body is very powerful. If you suffer from autoimmune diseases or are allergic to any plants, be sure to consult your doctor.

Green tea

Do you like hot drinks ? The best thing that can be brewed with boiling water and at the same time preserve the benefits for the immune system in the drink is green tea. Its polyphenols are well preserved during brewing, they increase immunity , and also have powerful antiviral and bactericidal properties. These compounds stimulate the metabolism, slow down the aging of the body and prevent the formation of malignant tumors. When brewing, you can add herbs that have a mild sedative effect: mint leaves, chamomile flowers, sage, etc. Stress is one of the factors that have a negative impact on immunity . For some reason, its minimization is extremely important for health , both mental and physical.

Elderberry

This berry is a well-studied herbal antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial agent. There is evidence that elderberry can have a positive effect in the treatment of influenza. Most often, it can be found in the composition of sweet syrup for making lemonade, but it will be more useful to find dried berries. They can be brewed with boiling water in a thermos, let the drink infuse for 8-10 hours, and then drink 1-2 cups during the day. If you can't find dried elderberry, try an alcohol-free extract, a few drops of which can be added to tea or lemonade. It has a milder taste than echinacea extract, since such a drink can be offered to children.

Ginger and turmeric

It has been scientifically proven that natural ginger juice is an effective immunostimulant. In order to charge the drink with useful properties, you don't need a large amount, just a few drops of fresh juice. If ginger juice scares you with its astringency, use the freshest pieces of root. In fact, the longer ginger is stored, the richer it becomes. It is necessary to clean the root from the skin, rub it on a fine grater, and then squeeze it, leaving only the juice and completely removing all the fibers - the main bitterness is in them. Ginger juice can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Fresh juice from the root of turmeric will be no less useful for immunity . It tastes good with plant-based milk, especially when supplemented with natural sweeteners such as honey or stevia. Turmeric juice not only increases immunity , but also has a complex positive effect on the body. It supports the health of the heart and blood vessels, is effective in the fight against arthritis and diseases of the digestive tract. Of course, turmeric and ginger can be used in dried form to brew warming drinks , but it is better to make a choice in favor of fresh juice.

A cocktail of probiotics

What do sauerkraut juice, Korean kimchi, and pickled apples or berries have in common? All these liquids contain a large amount of lactic acid, enzymes and vitamins. However, the main thing is that there are many probiotics - a nutrient medium for the beneficial microflora of the human body. The effect of probiotics on immunity is the subject of many scientific studies, and most scientists agree that it is difficult to overestimate it.

From brines, it is better to choose the least salty and sweet ones, which contain as much natural juices as possible from the original products. Even a small amount of such liquid will significantly enrich your morning smoothie with useful nutrients. You can also add more greens and vegetables to the composition of the drink - spinach, curly cabbage, sweet pepper are the best. They will become a source of fiber, which is very important for maintaining the health of the intestinal microflora, which means the immune system . Or you can add to the diet another popular now, but known for a long time, fermented  drink - kombucha (or kombucha).