11 Natural Drinks to Boost Immunity

You might be surprised to see humble H20 on this list. However, drinking plenty of water has so many health benefits. Even 1 cup of water can regulate our internal temperature, cushions and lubricates our joints, nourishes tissues, and gets rid of waste. It helps us sleep better, and gives us more energy. All of this contributes to a healthy body, which bolsters our immune system for any infections that could come our way.

When you're stocking up on all your new teas for the immune system, don't forget to include a simple glass of water! A glass of water before a meal can aid digestion and helps you realize when you're full. Hot water in lemon, ginger, or honey teas also count!

Few things are more comforting than settling into an armchair on a winter's evening, with a steaming cup of lemon and ginger tea.

The beauty of this immune-boosting tea is that it's also easy to make. While you can buy the pre-packaged stuff, all it takes is a piece of ginger, a slice of lemon, and a cup of hot water to make at home - no fancy recipe required! Pour the hot water into 1 cup with your chosen ingredients, and allow it to stew for a few minutes. If you prefer a milder cup, you can always strain the larger ingredients out.

Commonly used as a remedy for the common cold, lemon is high in vitamin C, and ginger has powerful antioxidant properties. Ginger is also good for treating nausea and digestive issues.

Honey can make a delicious sweetener to your tea, but it's a powerful ingredient in its own right. Honey is also an antioxidant and is capable of counteracting free radicals. It's also a known immunity booster. If you have a sore throat, honey can be soothing. Feel free to experiment! A stick of cinnamon or even a couple of cloves can take your teas to the next level.

Tumeric is another substance that's great for the immune system, largely due to its main ingredient, curcumin. An anti-inflammatory, anti-viral ingredient, tumeric can help ease the symptoms of IBS and soothes digestive issues. It's also an antioxidant, nourishing heart and brain health. Of course, tumeric is also a fantastic way to nourish your immune system.

We've already mentioned that lemon juice is high in vitamin C. However, you probably don't feel like swigging a glass of the stuff. Fortunately, its milder cousin, orange juice, is here to help. Packed with vitamin C, citrus juices like orange and grapefruit are age-old methods of fighting off colds.

However, if you've already succumbed to a nasty dose of flu, vitamin C-rich foods and drinks can help to ease your symptoms and help you to fight it off more quickly.

Apple fruits provide a rich source of vitamin C, ideal for fighting off all kinds of infections and illnesses. Carrots contain antioxidants and are a good source of vitamin B6. For an extra dose of vitamin C and a sweet taste, orange fruits make a great addition.

The beauty of this juice is that it's sweet, refreshing, and full of energy. Using tangy apple to offset sweet oranges and carrots can create an invigorating juice drink that's perfect to get your morning going. That's an inventive way to get your apple a day!

Tomato juice isn't for everyone, but if you're looking for a healthy, easy DIY juice drink, there's no better place to start. Tomato fruits contain nutrients like vitamin B9 and magnesium and have anti-inflammatory properties. This boosts your immune system and can help you fight off infections. Tomato juice also makes a delicious savory juice to have along with meals.

Smoothies are a fantastic way of getting vitamin-packed fruits and vegetables into your body - and, as you guessed, these are fantastic for boosting the immune system. Since both blueberries and kale are known as "superfoods", when you mix them together, you're left with one of the best smoothie recipes to boost your health. Blueberries are powerful antioxidants, and kale is rich in nutrients like iron (like most deep green veggies) and fiber. As a plus, this a delicious drink that's easy to make in a blender. Chances are, once you've tried a blueberry and kale smoothie recipe, you'll want to add it to your list of favorites!

Mango is another delicious superfruit. Sweet, tasty, and packed with vitamin E, this fruit is a healthy world favorite for a reason. The spinach in this green smoothie adds iron and fiber, giving the drink a healthy-looking green tint. Adding strawberries to your recipe also enhances the vitamin C content, and adds more taste. Don't forget, fruits and vegetables in your smoothie recipes count towards your five a day.

Another healthy, refreshing summer favorite, strawberry and kiwi smoothies are also packed with vitamin C. For an extra antioxidant boost, try using almond milk in your smoothie recipes. Bananas are a popular fruit to use alongside your other ingredients, as a thickening agent.

It's often simpler to use a blender to mix your fruits into smoothies instead of trying to make traditional juice. Homemade fruit juices (like strawberries or blueberries) take a lot of fresh fruits for a single serving. This can be expensive and time-consuming. On the other hand, buying frozen fruits and processing them in a blender with bananas and the mixer of your choice (milk, water, and coconut milk are popular) is cheaper. It also means that your fruit will last much longer.

Last but not least, watermelon juices and smoothies are definitely a great drink for boosting the immune system. Eating watermelon is a good way of staying hydrated, due to the fruit's high water content, and it also contains plenty of vitamin C and arginine. Adding a hint of mint to your juice or smoothie is a great way to add extra zip to your drink. Of course, it's optional!

If you prefer juices over smoothies, watermelon is easier to juice than some other fruits, due to its high water content.

If you're not sure you'll have time to make yourself teas, juices, and smoothies, most stores sell commercial herbal teas and juices, designed to nourish your immune system and ward off infection.

While these beverages are fine, natural is definitely better for your health. Making your own juices and smoothies is a sure-fire way to make sure you're getting your fruits, veggies, and vitamins.

Additionally, some commercial juices may not be as healthy as you think. For example, tomato juice often has extra ingredients added to it. It may contain high levels of sugar, or even additives or other artificial ingredients. On the other hand, homemade tomato juice is easy to make, and that way, you know what's in it!

Commercial juices are particularly prone to adding extra sugar. Extra sugar means extra calories, and your juice may not be as healthy as you imagine. Diabetics, in particular, should be careful about buying commercial juices, due to the sugar content.