10 Immunity-Boosting Drinks

These smoothies, juices and teas contain nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants that can promote immune health.

By: Toby Amidor, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.

Related To:

Photo By: Matt Armendariz

Photo By: Pawel Kaminski

Photo By: Kang Kim

Photo By: Ashley Lima

Drinks to Help Your Immune System

Immunity is about more than downing a glass of orange juice every day. There are a variety of vitamins, antioxidants and other nutrients found in food that help your body feel in tip-top shape and aid recovery if you do find yourself taking a sick day. (Pro tip: When you find yourself sick, make sure to stay hydrated, too.) If you’re looking to sip on something that keeps your immune system running well, we’ve got you covered.

This combo of beets, carrots, and apples can help build a healthy immune system. Beets get their beautiful color from a natural plant compound called betalains, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties — both which help protect the body. Carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene which is an antioxidant that helps protect your cells from damage.

Read on for more immunity-boosting drinks.

Get the Recipe: Beet-Carrot-Apple Juice

Golden Turmeric Milk

The potent antioxidant properties in curcumin, a natural plant compound found in turmeric, helps protect cells from damage and fights inflammation. In addition, some research suggests that turmeric may help stimulate the immune system. This warming milk is made with a combination of coconut milk and turmeric — and don’t forget the black peppercorns which help absorb the turmeric.

Get the Recipe: Golden Turmeric Milk

Ultra-Creamy Avocado Smoothie

Avocados provide the antioxidant vitamin E, which helps keep the immune system strong to fight against potentially harmful microorganisms like viruses and bacteria. In addition, avocados provide vitamin B6, which helps the body create antibodies when you catch a cold or virus. Enjoy avocados in this sweetened drink made with condensed milk.

Get the Recipe: Ultra-Creamy Avocado Smoothie

Katie's Kale Smoothie

The kale, grapes, pears, and orange in this smoothie all provide nutrients to keep your immune system working properly. Kale provides antioxidants, which help fight cell-damaging free radicals. Grapes provide antioxidants and polyphenols that protect the body’s cells, which help with a healthy immune system. Pears and oranges provide vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps fight infection.

Get the Recipe: Katie's Kale Smoothie

Mango with Turmeric Smoothie

This refreshing smoothie has a healthy dose of turmeric, which helps protect cells from damage and fights inflammation. It also contains delicious mango, which is an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamin C and provides lesser amounts of the antioxidants A and E.

Get the Recipe: Mango with Turmeric Smoothie

Blueberry Blast Smoothie

This invigorating smoothie is filled with blueberries which are rich in anthocyanins , an antioxidant which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Anthocyanins are also found in other smoothie-friendly berries like strawberries and raspberries.

Get the Recipe: Blueberry Blast Smoothie

Ginger Tea

Start your day with a warming cup of this ginger tea. Preliminary research has shown that ginger may be beneficial for combating bacterial infections. Plus, honey has been shown to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Get the Recipe: Ginger Tea

Matcha Lemonade

Matcha is a finely ground powder of green tea leaves that has more potent antioxidants compared to your everyday green tea bag, according to some research. A little goes a long way, and that’s why this recipe calls for only one teaspoon of matcha. The matcha is complimented with lemon, which cuts the bitterness and adds some vitamin C to the mix.

Get the Recipe: Matcha Lemonade

Immune-Boosting Green Tea Smoothie

Green tea provides polyphenols, which are antioxidants shown to help fight disease. Polyphenols help activate signaling of different pathways in the immune system when a "foreign invader" is present to help the body respond in whatever way in necessary to help fight it. When steeping the green tea for the smoothie, make sure to do it for just three minutes to avoid a bitter flavor.

Get the Recipe: Immune-Boosting Green Tea Smoothie

Ginger Spiced Hot Cocoa

Both ginger and milk in this warming hot cocoa provide nutrients that support a healthy immune system. Ginger contains a variety of powerful antioxidants including gingerols, shogaols and zingerones that may help reduce inflammation. In addition, milk provides nutrients to help keep your immune system in shape including protein, vitamin D, zinc, and selenium.

Get the Recipe: Ginger Spiced Hot Cocoa