Most of us love winter for the cosy sweaters, warm fires and festive celebrations. But along with its charm comes the not-so-pleasant reality of the actual cold that makes us hole up in our houses and avoid seeing the outside. This cold weather and the lifestyle changes that come with it can weaken our immune systems and make us vulnerable to common colds and flu.
To ward off the dreaded winter coughs, sniffles and flu, it is essential to keep your immune system strong. This is because when you catch an infection or virus, it is your immune system that kicks in to protect your body and keep you well or improve your illness as soon as possible. Having a strong immune system also helps protect us from other diseases on a daily basis.
But how do we go about boosting our immunity? Well, it takes a holistic approach to do so, involving regular physical activity and good lifestyle habits. One of those good lifestyle habits is maintaining a healthy diet. Now, we can go on and on for a healthy diet, but today, we're focusing on immunity-booster morning drinks! After all, it's winter, and don't we all just love curling up in a blanket with a warm cup of something and relaxing?
But what you have in that warm cup can be very important to your health, and some drinks can boost your immunity and ward off the chills and common colds this winter!
So, keep reading this blog to uncover some morning drinks to boost your immunity and stay warm!
Table of Contents
- What Is a Quick Immune Booster?
- Which Drinks Increase Immunity? 12 Homemade Morning Drinks To Boost the Immune System
- Dietitian’s Recommendation
- The Final Say
- FAQs
- References
What Is a Quick Immune Booster?
Boost your immune system deliciously!
A quick immune booster can be foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants, such as citrus fruits, berries, and green tea, which help strengthen your immune system.
If you want a quick immune booster that works wonders, then try a refreshing mix of vitamin C-rich fruits like oranges, kiwis, and berries with a dash of honey and ginger! You can blend them into a smoothie for a power-packed drink that will help strengthen your immune system as well as provide a burst of antioxidants that fight off free radicals. With this delicious drink, you can combat inflammation and keep those pesky colds at bay. Plus, it’s super easy to prepare – just blend and enjoy!
Also Read: Check Out Why These Chyawanprash Health Benefits Are The GOAT—The Real MVP for Females and Males!
Which Drinks Increase Immunity? 12 Homemade Morning Drinks To Boost the Immune System
Following are the best homemade drinks to boost the immune system:
1. Matcha Tea Latte |
Matcha Magic: One sip, 10 cups of green tea power! |
Matcha is like green tea but with increased intensity – it is brighter and offers the nutritional value of 10 cups of green tea. It is also rich in antioxidants and speeds up metabolism. |
Simply whisk 1 teaspoon of matcha powder with hot water, then add a splash of almond milk and honey for sweetness. |
Also Read: Sip To Slim! 7 Morning Drinks For Belly Fat Reduction & Detox
2. Green Tea |
Flavonoids galore in every green tea pour! |
Just because you get the benefits of green tea in matcha doesn't mean you should avoid green tea. Flavonoids—plant compounds that serve as antioxidants for us—are abundant in green tea, especially one called epigallocatechin-3-gallate, which has been shown to improve immune system function. |
For flavour – and for fun – try collecting, preparing and steeping your own loose-leaf tea. Again, honey is a great natural sweetener. |
3. Ginger Tea |
Immunity, warmth, and relief in a cup! |
Drinking ginger tea in winter brings not only relief from colds but also boosts immunity. Ginger contains an element called gingerol, which is an antioxidant and helps with sore throats, colds and coughs. |
It is also useful to boil small pieces of ginger in a cup of water, then after filtering, add honey and drink. |
4. Turmeric Milk |
Your nightly dose of warmth and wellness! |
Turmeric milk, also known as golden milk, keeps the body warm in winter and is an ancient remedy for boosting immunity. Turmeric contains an element called curcumin, which is rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Additionally, turmeric milk also provides relief from colds, coughs and throat problems. |
Just mix a quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder in warm milk and enjoy. You may sweeten it with cinnamon or honey. |
Also Read: 20 Foods That Increase BMR & Ways To Boost Metabolism Naturally!
5. Water & Electrolyte Drinks |
Hydration is the foundation + electrolytes for the extra boost! |
Here's a reminder: don't underestimate water! Water should always be your number one drink as it keeps you properly hydrated and flushes out toxins from the body. Dehydration can make you tired and potentially put you at risk of infection or other illnesses. |
You must drink the recommended daily amount of water, but you can also add powdered electrolyte drink mixes to further boost your immune system. |
6. Amla Juice |
Nature’s immunity booster in every drop! |
Apart from being a great natural drink for weight loss, amla–rich in vitamin C–is considered one of the best strengthening tools for the body, making amla juice an amazing drink to boost immunity. Amla juice not only protects against colds and coughs but also helps fight diseases and keeps the liver healthy. |
Start your day by drinking a glass of fresh amla juice on an empty stomach. Mixing it with honey and black pepper and drinking it increases the taste and benefits. |
Also Read: Make These 12 Foods A Part Of Your Diet To Reduce Uric Acid
7. Orange Smoothie |
Vitamin C meets hydration! |
Oranges are synonymous with vitamin C, which is a key nutrient for immunity. Though this is not a warm drink, drinking freshly squeezed orange juice gives your body a direct boost of antioxidants that can help you fight infections this winter. Vitamin C and antioxidants in oranges help the body fight against winter diseases. |
Squeeze a few oranges and drink it fresh in the morning for a nice kick! |
8. Hot Water With Lemon & Honey |
Soothe your throat and boost your health – all in one sip! |
This is a classic natural immune booster drink that you must know of. Lemon water is rich in vitamin C, which helps in the production of white blood cells, necessary to fight infections. With its antimicrobial properties, honey soothes the throat and provides natural energy. |
Warm a glass of milk and add lemon and honey. |
9. Aloe Vera Juice |
Pure goodness! |
Aloe vera is the nature's healer! It has vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that boost immunity and promote overall health to keep you fit this winter. |
Drink pure aloe vera juice or mix fresh aloe vera gel with water and a little lemon juice for a refreshing drink. |
10. Ashwagandha latte |
Stress-free immunity in a cup! |
Everybody knows about ashwagandha, an Ayurvedic herb known for its stress-relieving properties and the ability to boost the immune system. |
Simply mix ashwagandha powder with warm milk and honey for a soothing latte. |
11. Beetroot Juice |
Beat the day with beetroot juice! |
Rich in antioxidants, beetroot juice can help improve blood flow and reduce inflammation. More than that, it can boost immunity by enhancing red blood cell production and providing essential antioxidants and vitamins. |
Mix raw beets with a little lemon juice and water and blend them together for a refreshing drink. Its vibrant colour and earthy flavour make it a great addition to your morning routine. |
12. Green Smoothie |
Your immune system's leafy green hero! |
A mix of leafy greens like spinach or kale, fruit, and a healthy fat source like avocado or nut butter makes for a nutrient-packed smoothie. Adding ingredients like chia seeds or flax seeds can provide additional omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial for immune health. |
Take all your leafy greens, seeds and a healthy fat source and blend them together! |
Dietitian’s Recommendation
A proper diet is very important to avoid illness in winter and to strengthen immunity. While the above drinks can help you get your daily value of certain nutrients, the best way to boost your immune system is to fill in the gaps in your diet. I would recommend focusing on other ways to build and maintain a strong immune system, such as getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy body weight, and exercising daily.
Dt. Lavina Chauhan
The Final Say
Boosting our immune system is not just a health trend that's here for the time being – it's essential for overall well-being and staying illness-free. By enjoying nutrient-packed foods and homemade drinks, we make our bodies strong enough to fight off daily threats like common colds and flu.
The 12 delicious and affordable drinks we shared above can help strengthen your natural defences and keep your body fit. So, let’s raise a warm cup to better health and sip our way to a stronger, more resilient immune system!
FAQs
1. What is the best immune support drink?
One of the best immune support drinks is turmeric milk, also known as golden milk, which combines turmeric's anti-inflammatory properties with warm milk. Another excellent option is ginger tea, which boosts immunity and reduces inflammation, making it a great choice for health support.
2. How do I boost my immune system during flu season?
You can strengthen the immune system during flu season by getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water, exercising regularly, and reducing stress.
References
- https://www.starhealth.in/blog/immunity-booster-foods/
- https://wellnesswithedie.com/drinks-that-boost-immunity/
- https://www.dripdrop.com/blog/dehydration-science/drinks-to-boost-immune-system-water-and-immunity
- https://www.onlymyhealth.com/top-immunity-boosting-drinks-for-winters-in-hindi-1297782278
- https://www.ndtv.com/health/how-to-boost-your-immunity-naturally-this-winters-consume-these-9-drinks-7187097
- https://oncquestlabs.com/blog/homemade-drinks-to-boost-immune-system/
- https://continentalhospitals.com/blog/boost-your-immunity-naturally-this-winter-with-these-9-drinks/
- https://www.sanitarium.com/au/health-nutrition/nutrition/drink-to-help-build-immunity
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/8-immunity-boosting-morning-drinks-to-add-to-the-daily-regime/amp_articleshow/114111869.cms
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