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February 05.2017
2 Minutes Read

[Recipe] Blueberry Ginger Immune-Boosting Smoothie

 

A strong and healthy immune system is important for each of us. If this is weakened we fall prey to all sorts of bugs that cause illness. In winter it’s especially important to build up your immune system to help avoid the seasonal colds and flu that are rife. And as we are still in the midst of the fight, we have another delicious smoothie to help

Packed with lots of good nutrition, this smoothie recipe from Kara Lydon, The Foodie Dietitian, will set you up to win the fight with the winter bugs. Kara says …

I’ve been trying to choose foods that I know will boost my immune system, i.e. all the antioxidant-packed fruits and veggies, turmeric, ginger, green tea and fermented foods like kefir, kraut and apple cider vinegar. And one of my favorite ways to fit in a bunch of nutrition into one shot is a smoothie …

DYK that [Blueberries] are packed with antioxidants?! … Wondering why antioxidants are so important? Well, every day, our cells fight against free radicals – unstable oxygen molecules that are a normal byproduct of metabolism. When you aren’t getting enough antioxidants in your diet, free radicals can build up in your body, causing oxidative stress, which is associated with cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other diseases of aging. Dietary antioxidants such as anthocyanins, flavonoids found in the blue pigments of [Blueberries], have the ability to neutralize free radicals and help prevent cell damage. Antioxidants can also protect against inflammation, which may play a role in supporting our immune systems.

 

The World’s Healthiest Foods website references a study comparing organically grown blueberries and non-organically grown berries, saying …

Organically grown blueberries turned out to have significantly higher concentrations of total phenol antioxidants and total anthocyanin antioxidants than conventionally grown blueberries, as well as significantly higher total antioxidant capacity.

 

Please turn to the Next Page (click button below) for the Blueberry Ginger Immune-Boosting Smoothie recipe …

 

 

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Recipe: Blueberry Ginger Immune-Boosting Smoothie

Serves 2; approx 167 cals each

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup frozen Blueberries
  • 1 cup frozen Mango
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh Ginger (or ¼ teaspoon ground)
  • 1 tablespoon peeled and chopped Turmeric root (or 1 teaspoon ground)
  • 2 teaspoons Orange Zest
  • 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Coconut Oil
  • pinch of Black Pepper, to help absorption of turmeric
  • 1 ½ cups unsweetened Almond Milk

Blend until smooth and enjoy.

 

Source: KaraLydon; World’s Healthiest Foods

Photo: KaraLydon

 

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