Immune System Juice Recipes

Introduction

The Immune system¹ is a group of organs and body parts which help to keep our body safe from harmful germs like viruses, bacteria etc. If our immune system is not strong, these pathogens attack our bodies  and make us sick. When any pathogen attacks our body, the immune system keeps a memory of it and develops antibodies against it. This will help our body in fighting the pathogen when it attacks us the next time. So we must try to strengthen our bodies  and stay healthy. In this article, we will discuss immune-boosting  juice recipes. 

Tips to boost the immune system 

The thymus, bone marrow, antibodies, spleen, and White Blood Cells (WBC) are some of the components of the immune system. 

There are different ways in which we can boost our immune system. Let's check out a few body parts and see what role they play in the defence against pathogens.

• Skin: It is the largest organ of our body and is the first defence  against any pathogen. So the best way to build immunity is to wash our hands frequently especially if we come into contact with any dirty surface. Regular bathing cleanses our body of almost all the toxic build-up that accumulates on the skin
• Lungs:² It is a pair of organs that is a part of the respiratory system. When we breathe in, oxygen reaches the lungs via the respiratory tract and is distributed to all parts of our body. Once the process is complete, carbon dioxide is generated and  taken out of the body through the lungs. Lungs act as a filter and keep toxins or dust away from entering the bloodstream. So this is another important organ which needs to be kept healthy. Breathing exercises can help strengthen the lungs. Smoking cigarettes or staying in polluted areas for long periods can harm our lungs so these things should be avoided
• Antibodies:³ It is a protein that is found in our body. When the immune system encounters any pathogen, it develops an antibody to fight against it. This antibody is kept in memory cells and helps to fight when that specific pathogen attacks next time. These antibodies can be produced naturally by the body after infection or through vaccinations. Thus, it is important to get all routine vaccinations, especially for children as they have developing immune systems
• Spleen:⁴ It is an important part of the immune system. The spleen  clears out toxins or pathogens through blood. It checks the Red Blood Cells (RBC) in the body and removes the damaged ones, thus keeping our body healthy. A healthy and balanced diet helps in keeping the spleen healthy

Best immune boosting juice 

A healthy diet is the basic step towards a healthy immune system. We need foods rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D to boost our immunity. There are many vegetables, fruits, and spices which act as an immune booster. Citrus fruits like lemon, orange, and clementines are good for immunity as they help in producing White Blood Cells (WBC) which are very helpful during a pathogen attack. Other immune-boosting  foods include turmeric, apples, bananas, carrots, green leafy vegetables, ginger, garlic, broccoli etc.

Let's check out a few immune-boosting juice recipes.

1. Lemon juice

Nutrition and benefits:  Lemon⁵ is very nutritious and beneficial for our health. It is a great source of Vitamin C which strengthens our immune system. 

Lemon juice not only helps in developing immunity, but it is also a good filtering agent. It means that having lemon regularly will clean our kidneys and keep us healthy. It is also good for the skin so regular intake will provide us with clear, glowing skin

2. Honey

It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which means it helps to keep inflammation in control. 

Process: Take a glass of warm water. Add around 2-3 tablespoons of squeezed lemon juice into it. For taste, you can add a small amount of either salt or honey in it

3. Orange juice

Nutrition and benefits: Orange⁶ is a good source of Vitamin C which improves immunity. It has antioxidant properties which means it can prevent deadly diseases such as cancer. Orange is also good for the heart and kidneys. 

Process: Take 2-3 oranges and cut them in half. With the help of a juicer, extract fresh homemade juice. If required, add a small amount of honey for taste

4. Carrot juice

Nutrition and benefits: Carrots⁷ are a good source of Vitamin A and C. Vitamin A aids in healthy eyesight, so regular intake can prevent us from getting eyeglasses. 

Vitamin C acts as an immune booster. Carrots are also a good source of fibre which means it is good for the digestive system. Thus it can also help in weight loss and keeping our stomach healthy.

Process: Wash and peel 4-5 carrots and chop them up into small pieces. Add the required quantity of water or honey and have freshly prepared carrot juice

5. Beetroot juice⁸

Nutrition and benefits: Beetroot is a good source of Vitamin A and C, calcium and iron. So it is good for immunity, heart health, dental health, and healthy bones. It is also good for maintaining blood supply.

Process: Thoroughly clean and peel 2-3 beetroots and chop them into small pieces. Add them to your blender and pour a small amount of water with honey or lime as per your requirement. Have your freshly prepared beetroot juice.

6. Green juice 

Nutrition and benefits: For green juice, you can use spinach or kale as per your choice. 

Spinach⁹ is rich in iron which helps in maintaining healthy blood cells. Inadequate iron can lead to tiredness or fatigue. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, can prevent some forms of cancer, and boost our immunity.

Kale¹⁰ is another green leafy vegetable which is a source of Vitamin C, E, K, and calcium. Regular intake can help with healthy bone, teeth development and boosting immunity.

Process: Take a handful of spinach or kale and wash them well. Add the required amount of water or milk as per your choice. You can also add lemon juice or honey as per your taste

7. Banana smoothie 

Nutrition and benefits: Banana¹¹ is a good source of calcium, potassium, Vitamin C, and fibre. 

Fibre helps with healthy gut development. Vitamin C aids in boosting immunity. Potassium keeps the kidneys in good shape. It is also a rich source of antioxidants. This might help in preventing cancers and can also help in relieving menstrual cramps to some extent. 

Turmeric can be added which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. 

Process: Peel 1-2 bananas and put them in a blender. Add a glass of warm milk of your choice. Add a pinch of turmeric and a few drops of honey as per taste. Vanilla essence can also be added for taste. Enjoy this fresh smoothie as a pre-workout meal or as a part of your breakfast

Summary 

Immunity is essential to help our body fight pathogens. These immune-boosting juices can help you and your family but there are other things that should be kept in mind.

• Do not drink these juices as a replacement for regular meals. These are good for breakfast, as a snack or as a pre-workout drink
• Watch out for allergy ingredients. Not everything suits everyone, so keep a tab on your body and check out how your body is reacting to it
• Do not drink an excessive amount of these juices. Even good things are required in limits. Too much of these drinks might induce some unwanted side effects
• Newborns have the weakest immune system so it is suggested to breastfeed them for developing immunity
• Stay up to date with all vaccinations, especially for your kids. These might not fully prevent them from getting infected but may reduce the chances of severe illness
• Exercising is a good way to boost the immune system. It helps in improving blood circulation and keeps us healthy
• Maintain good hygiene to boost your immune system. Regular hand washing or baths prevents germs from entering the body
• Maintaining good oral hygiene prevents bacteria from entering the digestive system
• Stay hydrated and avoid processed drinks