Powerful Immunity Boosting Drinks for Home and Away

Fresh Juices, Infusions, Teas, and their benefits

Drinks are a powerful way to supplement your diet with important vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Drinks can support your immune system, gut, and overall health. There are several beverage types to consider, and when buying drinks from the store I like to look at indicators to understand how processed the drink is (i.e. is it from concentrate or is it cold-pressed), how much added sugar does it contain, and any preservative or additive content. The level of processing can impact how preserved the nutrients are. I avoid juices from concentrate or with excessive additives and dyes. I also think about the place I am in and what is in season and locally sourced. I find that buying local and seasonal offers the most accessible options. Some prefer smoothies over juices because smoothies contain the entire fruits and vegetables. This means that the fibrous components are present. The fibrous matrix ensures that it is not quickly digested. Some opt for hot soups over smoothies because the cold smoothies can weaken our agni, digestive fire. Another thing to consider is that our body does not have a way to store most vitamins and minerals (there are exceptions that we can dive into later), so it is important to stay hydrated and drink (and eat) consistently. Another important consideration is bioavailability. Food processing impacts what nutrients our body can absorb. Some nutrients are best extracted as teas, infusions, or tinctures in alcohol or vinegar, while others should be taken raw or with minimal disturbance like from slow, cold-pressed masticating juicers.

This can be a lot to consider and take in. The first accessible step is to nurture your relationship with food and start to be curious about your body’s responses to the foods and drinks you consume. Are you energized by your choices or can they leave you sluggish? Is there sustained energy or a dramatic drop off hours later?

Tune in and listen to your body.