Summer drinks to boost immunity

As the world faced the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people wondered what they could do to protect themselves from viral diseases. Daily preventive measures – washing hands, maintaining hygiene, avoiding contact with sick people – help to significantly reduce the risk of infection with bacteria, viruses and other pathogenic agents. But for maximum effectiveness of activities, it is important to take care of the state of the immune system. It is a strong immune system that makes a person less susceptible to infectious diseases. And summer is the perfect time to strengthen the body’s defense system, for example, with delicious and healthy drinks.

Lemonade

Classic citrus lemonade is the perfect drink to strengthen the immune system and prevent colds. It is a tasty and rich source of vitamin C, which is considered the best helper for the immune system. ^[1]. However, it is destroyed during heat treatment, so it is better to use fruits fresh, for example, in the form of lemonade. In addition, on a hot day, it refreshes as well as possible.

Necessary ingredients:

• water – 800 ml;
• apple juice – 200 ml;
• lemon syrup – 4 tbsp. l.;
• candied lemon – 0,5 pcs.

The drink is very easy to prepare. Cut the lemon, mix with sugar or honey, leave in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours. Mix the finished syrup with the rest of the ingredients.

Ginger lemonade

Ginger is a unique plant that contains a huge amount of substances useful to humans. But one of them – gingerol – makes the root indispensable for strengthening immunity. Ginger juice effectively fights bacteria and respiratory syncytial viruses that cause respiratory tract infections. ^[2].

For ginger lemonade you will need:

• water – 1 l;
• lemon syrup – 4 tbsp. l.;
• candied lemon – 0,5 pcs.;
• ginger – root 3-4 cm.

The drink is prepared according to the principle of classic lemonade, only at the end grated ginger is added.

Tea mushroom

The popularity of kombucha (kombucha) is making a comeback. It turned out that a drink from it not only quenches thirst well, but is also good for the body. ^[3]. Like other fermented foods, kombucha tea is rich in probiotics. They are responsible for the normalization of the intestinal microflora, on which the proper functioning of the immune system depends.

To prepare a classic version of the drink, you need water, a 3-liter jar, tea and kombucha itself. After fermentation, the drink is ready to drink. But to make the product even more beneficial for immunity, other useful ingredients can be added to the finished tea:

• honey;
• citrus juice;
• ginger;
• currants

Matcha with ice

This popular Japanese product is young green tea leaves ground into a powder. The benefits of matcha are rich in antioxidants that neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals and strengthen the body’s defenses. ^[4].

Matcha can be drunk hot or cold. Like traditional green tea, the drink is great for cooling in the heat, especially if you add a few ice cubes to it. But you can cook a more original version. For this you will need:

• vegetable milk (soy, almond, oatmeal) – 0,5 l;
• ice – 2 glasses;
• matcha – 5 h. l.

Rosehip tea

Few people know, but rosehip berries contain almost 10 times more vitamin C than lemon, which makes it one of the most useful foods for maintaining immunity. ^[5]. But in order to preserve a valuable substance in it, it should be subjected to minimal heat treatment.

The best way to prepare a healthy drink is to pour a handful of berries with boiling water and insist overnight in a thermos. Ready tea can be drunk cold or hot. The summer version is good served with ice and a little honey. Refreshingly great!

Karkade

Red hibiscus tea is known to many as a natural remedy for flu or colds. A warm drink helps to reduce fever and improve well-being. But in the summer, the infusion of hibiscus is no less useful. Rosella flowers (a kind of hibiscus), from which, in fact, this tea is made, contain many useful substances. They have antiviral and immune-boosting effects. ^[6].

Sea buckthorn fruit

At the end of August, sea buckthorn ripens – a berry that is extremely beneficial for the immune system. Its fruits contain vitamins B, C and E, which are considered one of the most important for maintaining the protective function of the body. In addition, sea buckthorn helps the body resist influenza, herpes viruses, and also stops the reproduction of E. coli. ^[7]. The most useful berry is in its raw form, for example, in the form of fruit drink.

For its preparation you need:

• water – 1 l;
• fresh sea buckthorn berries – 1 cup;
• honey to taste.

Crush the berries and mix with the rest of the ingredients.

Cranberry juice

One glass of fresh cranberries contains almost half of the daily requirement of vitamin C, and it is known to be one of the most beneficial for the immune system. In addition, in the course of scientific research, scientists have found that this berry has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Therefore, cranberry juice is not just a tasty and thirst-quenching drink, but also a real “ambulance” for the immune system. ^[8].

Morse Ingredients:

• water – 1 l;
• fresh cranberries – 1 cup;
• sugar or honey – 3-4 tbsp.

Fruit and green tea smoothies

Researchers found epigallocatechin gallate in green tea. The uniqueness of this substance is that it inhibits the reproduction of viruses and has bactericidal properties. Drinking green tea increases the number of protective T-cells in the body ^[9]. And if you add fresh fruits to tea, you get a healthy fortified drink.

For an immune-boosting smoothie you will need:

• brewed green tea – 200 ml;
• Kiwi – 1;
• apple – 1 pcs .;
• banana – 0,5 pcs .;
• cinnamon – a pinch.

Grind fruits in puree, add tea and cinnamon. Such a drink in the summer is much tastier and healthier than soda.

Spinach, cucumber and grape smoothie

100 g of grapes contains almost 30% of the daily requirement of vitamins C and K. Spinach is an excellent source of iron and calcium. Cucumbers are vitamins B, A, magnesium. And if these ingredients are crushed and mixed together, you get a delicious and nutritious vitamin cocktail. In the summer, doctors and nutritionists advise using all kinds of green smoothies as often as possible, as they strengthen the immune system, provide the necessary water, and have a beneficial effect on the digestive system.

And this is only a small part of the drinks that will help strengthen the immune system and prepare the body for the autumn-winter season. In the summer, when there are plenty of fresh berries, fruits, herbs and vegetables, juices and smoothies from them should be part of the daily diet of adults and children. After all, one serving of even the most healthy drink is not capable of doing a miracle – a positive result is possible only if you constantly take care of your immunity.

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