Immune-Boosting Drinks: Sip Your Way to Strength
Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, once said, “Let food be thy medicine.” But this also holds true for your beverages. Whether you’re concerned about a chronic condition or the everyday common cold, you (and your immune system) are what you eat... and drink! If you want a stronger, more resilient immune system, try adding the following immune-boosting drinks and beverages to your day.
1. T-Cell Activating Thai Tea
Approximately 75 percent of all the tea enjoyed in the world is black tea, and it's not just because it's soothing and delicious! Black tea is incredibly rich in antioxidants that are released when you heat the tea leaves. These antioxidants are so beneficial for your immune system, they may even reduce the risks of some forms of cancer, reports the National Cancer Institute. But forget plain tea. This creamy, authentic Thai-style iced tea (also known as "cha yen") is a refreshing change perfect for enjoying all day. Even better, it contains additional immunity-boosting herbs and seasonings, such as cardamom and cinnamon. 2 tablespoons loose-leaf black tea 1 piece star anise 2 pods of cardamom ½ of a cinnamon stick 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk 2 teaspoons coconut milk Steep the black tea, star anise, cardamom, and cinnamon in a cup of boiling water for 5 to 8 minutes. After steeping, strain the tea into a separate bowl. Stir in the honey and condensed milk. Fill a glass with ice and pour the hot tea onto the ice, then drizzle with coconut milk and enjoy!
2. Yerba Mate Latte
Yerba mate grows wild in the forests of South America, and it's slowly increasing in popularity as a hot beverage here in North America and around the globe. Its notable health compounds include polyphenols (which reduce the risk of numerous common diseases), saponins (which fight inflammation, in turn potentially assisting your immune system) and caffeoyl derivatives (similar to the immunity-boosting antioxidants in other teas). To put that into context, green tea is well-regarded for its immune system benefits, and one study found yerba mate actually had higher levels of antioxidant activity than green tea! While yerba mate sounds exotic, you can find it in most tea shops and some grocery stores. 3 tablespoons whole milk 1 tablespoon loose-leaf yerba mate Honey Simmer a cup of water and the milk. Pour the yerba mate into an in-cup infuser, place in a mug, and add the hot water and milk. Let the tea steep for 4 to 6 minutes (the longer you steep, the stronger the yerba mate flavor). Remove the infuser. Add honey to taste (optional). Enjoy this immune-boosting drink!
3. No-Nonsense Noni Immune-Boosting Drink
Noni is the fruit and juice from the Morinda citrifolia tree. Native Hawaiians, and other people from Polynesia, have used it as an immune-boosting drink and food for more than two millennia, using it to treat everything from chronic pain to infections to arthritis. Numerous studies suggest noni’s efficacy is due to its extremely high antioxidant properties. For instance, one research paper found that drinking noni every day for only eight weeks reduced markers of oxidative stress and increased the activity of your immune system's cells. You can buy pre-packaged, prepared noni products, but for the biggest immune boost, pick up some noni fruit at an Asian market or international farmers’ market and make your own noni juice at home. 1 noni fruit 8 ounces of your favorite tropical juice (e.g. guava juice, passion fruit juice, etc.) Place the fruit in a blender with a splash of your tropical juice. Blend on high until you've got a smoothie-like texture. While blending, place a sieve over a bowl. Pour the blended noni fruit into the sieve and let it rest for 20-30 minutes. During this time, it will naturally separate and the juice will drip into the bowl while the fruit pulp stays in the sieve. Pour the juice into a glass with ice and add more juice to taste. Sip and experience the health benefits of this Hawaiian legend!
BONUS: Enhance all of these recipes with a serving of BioPro-Plus 500. BioPro-Plus 500 contains biologically active purified thymic proteins plus Zinc Gluconate and nano silver solution which help to rebuild your immune system. These Thymic Proteins are bioidentical to the ones your body naturally creates, making them easily absorbed and assimilated into your body. These thymic proteins can work synergistically with your new delicious beverages to support full-body wellness.