Boost Your Immune System With These Smoothie Ingredients
RACHEL MORROW
We are all about optimizing our diet to get the most of out of our meals! So when we’re feeling a little under the weather, we like to boost our smoothies with added protection.
Here are some go-to tips for boosting your smoothie with the good stuff to help you fight off unwanted germs during flu season or whenever you feel your body fighting something off!
VITAMIN C RICH FRUITS
Increasing your Vitamin C dosage is one of the easiest ways to boost immune function. Low levels of C are linked to infection and disease. Vitamin C is not dangerous in heavy doses, showing no side effects from the increase. Reach for lemon, mango or grapefruit, all of which are high in vitamin C
HIGH-IRON NUTS
Add a handful of either soaked cashews or almonds to your smoothie for their zinc content, which also helps your body better absorb vitamin C. As a finishing touch, she adds a heaping tablespoon of turmeric, the golden crown jewel of anti-inflammatory spices.
TURMERIC
The golden crown jewel of anti-inflammatory spices. Its active compound, curcumin, has the ability to simultaneously kill and promote healthy cellular growth while boosting your immune function.
MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS
Medicinal mushrooms are potent immune boosters and make a great smoothie-booster. The Shiitake, Reishi, and Maitake mushroom stimulate the immune system, build up our resistance to viruses, and block tumor formation.
GINGER
Ginger is one of the best ingredients for helping your body to fight off infection. It’s said to increase core body temperature and help promote circulation.
PROBIOTICS
Your body contains ten times more bacteria than cells. Friendly bacteria not only attack pathogenic bacteria and fungi, but they also trigger appropriate white cell reactions to invaders. Surprisingly, one of the main functions of friendly bacteria is to stimulate your immune system. By eating probiotic-rich foods and maintaining good intestinal flora, a person can also maintain a healthy immune system. Add probiotics from a capsule or a serve of Kefir!
If you haven’t already, join our free global challenge at www.GetOffTheGluten.com to receive daily recipes & health tips, access to our private group for support and inspiration, plus before and after testing to track your progress in key areas of your life such as weight, sleep, bloating, skin-conditions, mental health and more!
Alongside being a qualified nutritionist and our social media guru, Rachel is Food Matters’ Recipe Developer. She’s forever dreaming up and developing new recipes for the community to enjoy.