Juicing is known for its nutritional benefits, but it also contains antioxidants, enzymes and other nutrients that support your immune system. For instance, ginger and turmeric offer pain relief as well as energy boosts.
Immunity booster shots have become a widely sought-after remedy in juice bars and health food stores, but are they actually effective?
Immune systems are constantly striving to combat viral invaders such as COVID-19 virus. Unfortunately, sometimes their immune systems don’t have enough time to adequately respond to vaccines.
What is an immunity shot?
Immunity shots are small juices containing ingredients to strengthen your immune system, such as turmeric, ginger and apple cider vinegar.
You can find them at juice bars or grocery stores; prices for bottles range from $3 to as much as $12 per bottle.
Manuka Honey
Manuka Honey has long been used to combat the common cold, inhibiting bacteria that could spread infections such as the flu.
Manuka Honey can be purchased at your local health food store or online. MGO, an antimicrobial compound found in Manuka Honey, helps to kill off harmful germs. You can find Manuka Honey at most major health food stores.
Manuka Honey has an UMF rating, which indicates its medicinal qualities. The higher the rating, the stronger its antibacterial properties are.
Lemon Juice
Lemons are packed with vitamin C, strengthening your immunity and fighting infections. Furthermore, their antioxidant content helps reduce oxidative stress in the body.
Citrus fruits have long been used to lower cholesterol, promote heart health, and soothe an itchy throat. Furthermore, they aid in digestion by aiding with enzyme production.
Lemon juice also raises the pH of your urine, which may prevent kidney stones from forming. While this isn’t a replacement for medication, it can help enhance your treatment plan.
Orange Juice
Orange juice is an excellent source of vitamin C, which aids in the production of white blood cells. Additionally, it contains folate which supports healthy immune function.
Hesperidin and narirutin, bioactive compounds present in hemp, have anti-inflammatory effects. It is especially essential, as inflammatory diseases can weaken the immune system.
This juice is also packed with other beneficial nutrients that strengthen your immune system and fight infections like colds or flus. It’s an easy, delicious way to support your body’s natural defenses.
Garlic
Garlic is packed with essential nutrients that boost immunity and keep you healthy. Plus, its antibacterial properties help clear away acne and fungus such as athlete’s foot from your skin.
Garlic can also lower your cholesterol levels. It contains selenium, an effective antioxidant which shields against oxidative stress and encourages glutathione production by liver enzymes.
Garlic also contains proteins that stimulate the immune system, such as immunomodulatory proteins QR-1, QR-2 and QR-3.
Ginger
Ginger, Zingiber officinale, is an effective antioxidant that promotes overall wellbeing. Additionally, it’s a potent anti-inflammatory that can help prevent and treat colds, flu and other illnesses.
Additionally, fruits and vegetables provide a beneficial source of vitamin C which can help ward off colds and boost immunity.
Caution should be exercised when consuming ginger; too much may cause heartburn and stomach upset in some individuals.
Make immune booster shots by peeling and finely chopping fresh ginger into small pieces. Place all ingredients into a high-powered blender, then strain through a fine mesh strainer to squeeze out any residual liquid from the pulp.
Immunity Boost Shots – Do They Really Work?
Shoppers at grocery stores have been drawn to the small bottles of juice that claim to “boost” your immune system, but are they worth your money?
These 1- to 3-ounce bottled drinks, which can be found at many juice bars and grocery stores, claim to provide a quick boost of vitamins and minerals for stronger immune responses.
Many contain plant-based sources of essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients which have been scientifically proven helpful in decreasing the duration of colds or flu.
May Zhu, a registered dietitian nutritionist, states that whether immunity shots work depends on their ingredients and who manufactures them.
While they may provide temporary relief from cold or flu symptoms, she notes that this alone won’t prevent you from becoming sick in the first place.
If you’re interested in trying an immunity shot but don’t have the funds, there are plenty of DIY versions you can try. Zhu suggests incorporating natural sources of vitamin C, like pineapple and citrus, along with turmeric and black pepper – both powerful anti-inflammatories.
Immunity Shot Ingredients
Ginger, turmeric and echinacea are the main components in many immunity shots. These plants are known for their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties which help combat germs and ease colds or flus.
They contain an abundant amount of Vitamin C, which has been demonstrated to reduce the duration of a cold in some studies.
Vitamin C helps strengthen the body’s natural defenses against disease and infection by stimulating the production of white blood cells. It also aids in combatting bacteria, viruses and other toxins that could compromise these natural defenses.
Some companies, like Suja and Vive Organic, provide immunity shots with these ingredients as well as plant-based sources of vitamins and minerals. Others, like Kor’s Gut Check, include probiotics to aid with digestive health.
