The year 2020, has caught us all by surprise. With a second wave of COVID-19 resurging and with many states in the US becoming the epicenter of this new wave, it is imperative to keep our health and immune system at its optimal state. There are a lot of ways to boost immunity through the food and drinks that we consume. Below you’ll find a couple of ingredients recommended by experts to help maintain your body’s defenses.
Kefir: An excellent source of probiotics that has shown to have a specific type of bacteria called Lactobacillus kefiri that protect us from infections. It is a fermented drink similar to kombucha that is often fortified with vitamin D and is known to play an important role in healthy immune system functioning. Many experts suggest that keeping a healthy gut is an essential part of boosting immunity, because the gut is a site of major immune activity.
Aqua Fresca: A popular drink in Mexico and Central America, which consists of a delicious blend of water, whole fruit and juice. It is a refreshing drink high in vitamin C, a key antioxidant that is known to support a healthy immune system. If you like a bubbly drink you can also add a little spritz using unsweetened sparkling water.
Fruity Chia Refresher: Experts note that zinc is another key ingredient for a healthy immune function and chia seeds are full of them. Around 2 tablespoons of chia contain 12% of the daily zinc your body needs. You can add this to your daily smoothie, or you can make a drink made with chia seeds and your favorite juice.
Hemp or Cashew Milk: Both of these seeds are considered excellent sources of zinc. You can find premade hemp and cashew milk in health food stores.
Lemon Ginger Tea: Lemon juice has a lot of benefits in immunity strengthening vitamin C and fresh ginger root is rich in antioxidants that help fight inflammation. There are studies showing that ginger is particularly effective in fighting off respiratory diseases. A bonus is that the sharp and earthy flavors of lemon and ginger taste great together and are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that support a healthy immune system.
Research online and find ways to mix up the way you drink these delicious ingredients that have vital properties to help keep you healthy and ready to tackle any new surprises the rest of this year might throw at you. Remember that having an immune system is our natural way of fighting off the virus, but using face masks, washing your hands and social distancing are also important measures to maintain that are vital to your health and that of your loved ones.
