Juice to boost immunity - Fight the flu with veggies and fruit

Tuesday, January 25, 2011 by: Heidi Fagley
Tags: juicing, immunity, health news

(NewsTarget) Juicing can provide a tremendous support to the immune system during the cold and flu season. Since nutrition plays an important role in protecting us from those nasty seasonal viruses, what better way to help support and strengthen immunity than by extracting delicious and nutritious nourishment from your favorite vegetables and fruits.

Colds and flu are invisible and contagious, and warding them off calls for a proactive approach that will lessen their covert attacks. Especially in winter months, juicing is an excellent way to increase your vitamin and mineral intake, providing your immune system with an extra punch against germ invasions. Fresh juice from our most antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies can provide some of the most powerful medicine today. Drinking, freshly prepared nectar provides valuable nutrition long after you've sipped your last drop.

Juicing provides essential nutrients in large quantities. While we're not prone to consuming a head or two of greens or several apples or oranges in one sitting, juicing can provide the nutrients from multiple sources in one small glass. Juicing is an easy way to virtually guarantee that you will reach your daily target for vegetables and fruits - and then some.

Choose pesticide-free, ripe fruit and vegetables to support your system. Follow the rainbow approach and be sure to include the deepest of colors into your selections.

The body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, so foods rich in carotene with its high antioxidant content can help our body fight off cell-damaging free radicals. And be creative; each batch can be as unique as you wish. Try mixing different fruits and veggies together like carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, red-leaf lettuce, turnip greens, and apples.

Vitamin C stimulates the production of antibodies and white blood cells, which fight infection and protect the body against bacteria. Introduce citrus, kiwi, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, red and yellow bell peppers, and tomatoes.

Don't forget your greens! Greens are loaded with vitamins and beneficial antioxidants. Choose from beet greens, collards, mustard and dandelion greens, Swiss chard, parsley, and watercress. Experiment and awaken new taste buds. Juicing concentrates nutrients into a highly absorbable form, allowing your body to get the maximum benefits from each glass.

You may consume your creation immediately while at its freshest, or store it in the fridge and sip throughout the day. However, it is best to drink your concoction as soon as possible for its most nutritious benefits, and definitely within 24 hours of juicing.

Note: If you suffer from a sugar-related health challenge, please consult your health care professional before juicing fruits and vegetables that are higher in natural sugars.

Drinking fresh veggie juice isn't necessarily the cure-all elixir, but it can help to supply your body with readily available nutrition that will assist in fighting off even the most wicked of viruses.

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About the author

Heidi Fagley is a Holistic Nutritionist and has two culinary arts degrees - one in Raw, Living Foods and another in Natural Foods. Educating others about nutrition and the benefits of using whole foods to heal and prevent disease is her passion.