Beat the Flu with These Nutritious and Delicious Juices: 10 Immune Boosting Juices for the Flu Plus 5 Essential Nutrients to Fight Flu!

With the COVID-19 frenzy going on, everyone is on the lookout for ways to boost their immunity. The slightest trace of common cold and flu creates much worry. In order to keep the flu at bay, the best way is to incorporate some immunity boosting juices into your diet. But, why are juices considered as the best to boost immunity?

Most of the recipe for juices generally contains more than two “super” ingredients. These nutritious ingredients are the powerhouse of immunity boosters and are very good for health. Juices are hence, jam-packed with essential nutrients that are needed for everyday health to fight off the cold and flu.

Our immune system is always active and is constantly figuring which cells belong to the body and which don’t. In order to keep its energy up and going, it is important that you provide the system with a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are said to be from the protective food group that keeps away illnesses.

Juices are the easiest to prepare provided that the only task involved is in cutting the fruits into chunks and blending well! Even a beginner can prepare a glass of juice, its that simple! Moreover, being in the liquid form, it is very easy for the body to absorb in the nutrients.

If you feel the cold coming in or are currently in the throes of one, then its best to get yourself one of the juices that boost the immune system. But, what exactly in the juice is benefitting you? Also, in order to know what ingredients should be in your juice, it is important that you understand which nutrients holds a place in boosting your immunity naturally.

Here are the main five types of nutrients that are needed by the body to protect itself from the common cold and flu.

One of the most essential nutrients, Vitamin C is also a very good antioxidant. In fact, the very lack of it can even make you prone to more diseases! Vitamin C does not get naturally produced in the body, and neither gets stored. Hence, it is very crucial that you provide the body with its daily dose of the “C” factor! While some resort to taking supplements, it is much better to obtain it naturally from food items that contain it in plenty. Vitamin C can be found in food like citrus fruits, broccoli and strawberries.

This is a very powerful nutrient that helps the body to fight off infections. Immune cells in our body are constantly prone to stress owing to pollution, radiation, alcohol consumption and smoking. Vitamin E is said to play an important role in mitigating the stress on immune cells, thereby increasing the efficiency of the immune system in general. You can find Vitamin E in food items like nuts, seeds and spinach.

Carotenoids are a type of pigment found in plants, algae and photosynthetic bacteria. Found in more than 600 types, carotenoid is the substance that provides the bright yellow, red and orange colours in plants, fruits and vegetables. They have very strong antioxidant properties and are most essential for human growth and immunity. Foods rich in carotenoids are carrots, mangoes, oranges, bell peppers and spinach.

Zinc is an important mineral that heals wounds naturally and keeps the immune system strong and functional. A deficiency of zinc may result in the frequent onset of the common cold and upper respiratory infection in children. There is an upper limit to the presence of zinc in the body. Hence, it is advisable that you do not take zinc supplements unless advised by your doctor. Foods rich in zinc are red meat, poultry, whole grains, beans and nuts.

According to science, omega 3 fatty acids, not only reduces inflammation but also enhance the function of immune cells. They are very helpful in enhancing the activity of the white blood cells or immune B cells that support immunity. You can find omega 3 fatty acids plentifully in nuts and seeds like chia seeds, flaxseeds and walnuts.

Here are some tried and tested juice recipes perfect to boost your immunity and keep away the flu!

Made from root vegetables, this juice recipe is a powerhouse of all essential nutrients like vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, iron and calcium. In Addition to reducing the inflammation in the body, these nutrients will also help to strengthen the immunity system.

Amla is an amazing fruit that does wonders to your weakened immunity. Not only is it brimming with Vitamin C, but also filled with antioxidants that fight free radical activity in the body, thus saving you from viral and bacterial infections. Amla juice when consumed as it is, may taste a tad unpalatable. But, the addition of honey makes it tastier and makes up for a perfect combo to strengthen the immune system.

Make a powerful concoction with ingredients like honey and lemon, that can strongly influence your immune system. This flu fighter drink is made with common ingredients found in any Indian kitchen. Lemon is loaded with vitamin C while honey has excellent inflammatory properties. A combination of these can do more wonders to your immunity than you can imagine!

Grapefruit is a prized fruit known for its high levels of vitamin C that protects human cells from harmful bacteria and viruses. Oranges are another powerhouse of the immunity-boosting nutrient, vitamin C. Combine orange and grapefruit and you get yourself an amazing immunity boosting drink that is sure to be by your side all the time!

Tomatoes are jam-packed with high amounts of folate. Folates are nutrients that help lower the risk of infections. Besides these, tomatoes also contain notable nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C and iron. Tomato juice is perfect for detoxification of the human body and is said to contain a high level of antioxidants, fit to fight off illnesses. This is probably one of the easiest immunity-boosting juices that you can prepare at home.

Marry the befitting nutritional benefits of apple, carrot and turmeric into this magical potion of a drink! Apple and carrots usually have a sweeter side on the palate, which beautifully complements the bitter taste of oranges. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene that keeps the respiratory system functioning well. Apples protect human cells from oxidative stress, thereby strengthening the immune system.

Carrot and ginger make for a very refreshing drink that energizes not only the body but also the mind! Your immunity system will thank you for the dose of carrot, ginger and honey drink. Carrots and honey are accountable for the noted sweetness in the drink, which also beautifully masks the pungent taste of ginger. Packed with excellent immunity-boosting nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C and zinc, this juice could very easily be one of your favourite immunity boosters!

Want to keep your immune system polished and strong? Include watermelons in your diet regularly. Not only are they rich in vitamin C, A, magnesium and zinc, but is also great in getting rid of any soreness in the body. A glass full of watermelon juice is a lifesaver not only on hot summer days but also on the onset of any sort of cold and infection!

Searching for healthy alternatives for vitamin C? Kiwis and strawberries are the answer to a good source of vitamin C that also tastes great! Strawberries are known for their properties to reduce inflammation, regulating blood pressure, glowing the skin and increasing immunity power of the body. Kiwis contain high amounts of vitamin C and can reduce the likelihood of developing cold or flu-like illnesses.

Pumpkin seeds or pepitas are abundantly blessed with magnesium, zinc and antioxidants. Besides, they are known for their anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. Pumpkin seeds are also packed with antioxidants like carotenoids and vitamin E. Even a ¼ cup of pumpkin seeds make up for an impressive amount of plant protein and all essential nutrients needed for the day to keep your immune system polished!

If you think onions are only suited for curries and sabzi then we have to say that you are wrong. In fact, the anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties of onions are so impressive that you wonder why it can’t be consumed directly in the form of a juice! The antioxidant-rich onions help to fight off viral illnesses and recharge the body’s metabolism fast. This helps you to fight diseases in a stronger and more efficient way.

The medicinal compounds in onion, such as the thiosulphates present in the onion skin, act as an expectorant that helps to push out germs from the body and recover faster.