With the COVID-19 pandemic going on, one way to keep your immune system healthy is to drink an immune boosting smoothie. If you’re looking for a smoothie recipe that’s also keto-friendly, then this is a great recipe to try.
Smoothies are a great way of getting a boost of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which help keep you healthy. They are released from the cells of the produce you use for the smoothie when you blend fruit and vegetables. They don’t need any digestion so they get absorbed into your body very easily.
This immune boosting smoothie is made with ingredients that have a long reputation for balancing your immune system. It needs a number of nutrients to function efficiently so that’s what is really meant by boosting it.
Leafy Greens
If you’re not including greens in your diet, especially the keto diet, you are missing out big time on vital nutrients that your body needs for good health.
Related reading: Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies in a Keto Diet
A study that calculated nutrient density for almost 50 fruits and vegetables found that 17 of the top 20 were leafy greens.
Leafy greens include kale, spinach, collards, beet greens, turnip greens, red and green lettuce, butter lettuce, Romaine lettuce, Bok Choy, arugula (rocket), watercress, microgreens and sprouts.
For people who either don’t like greens or find it hard to eat enough of them including them in a smoothie is a good way of getting more of these incredibly nutritious health boosting foods.
Including some low carb fruit in a smoothie with the leafy greens really disguises the taste. You won’t even notice the taste of mild leaves like spinach or lettuce.
Related reading: 5 Healthy Fruits You Can Eat On A Low Carb Diet
Ashwagandha
For instance, ashwagandha powder is derived from a herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Research shows that this herb, also known as Indian Ginseng, may help to increase the activities of natural killer cells that help to fight infections and make you stay healthy.
Ashwaghanda is also useful for detoxing. The toxic chemicals that get stored in our bodies can interfere with how the immune system works so eliminating them is important for good immune response to infections.
The keto diet helps with detox as well because toxins are eliminated as fat stores are used to create energy.
Resveratrol
This amazingly nutritious smoothie also includes a resveratrol capsule. Resveratrol has antioxidant activity which protects your body against cell damage. This is important in any illness and especially if you were to be infected with the coronavirus.
Resveratrol can also help to regulate the immune system and help quell the inflammation that underlies many infections and diseases. This would likely be useful for the lung involvement that occurs if you are unlucky enough to become infected with Covid-19.
Superfood powder
Above all, the recipe requires using a vitamin-packed superfood powder, which is loaded with vital nutrients to keep you healthy.
The superfood blend that is used in this immune boosting smoothie is GNC Earth Genius™ SuperFoods Supreme. It contains a very healthy blend of fruits, veggies, greens, 6 types of adaptogenic organic mushrooms and sprouts.
It also contains a vegetarian prebiotic. Prebiotics feed and support the growth of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract.
As you probably know 75% of our immune system is in the gut so keeping the gut microbiome healthy and balanced is of prime importance for good immune function.
It’s my belief that the young people who were said to have no underlying health problems but died after being infected with the Covid-19 had poor immune function.
Black seed oil
Black seed oil is made from black seed (Nigella sativa) which is also known as black cumin and has traditionally been used as medicine in India, Arabia, and Europe.
It has been shown to have antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory effects which is needed if you get infected with the virus.
Black seed oil can increase the effects of medicines so don’t include it in your smoothie if you take any prescription medications.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice contains Vitamin C and antioxidants. Vitamin C may help to strengthen the immune system according to researchers.
The vitamin is being recommended by some Functional Medicine doctors for coronavirus prevention and treatment although you would need a lot more than is in this smoothie.
Here are some other smoothie recipes you may like that are low carb and suitable for a keto diet.
Keto Green Smoothie Recipe with Blueberries and Avocado
Cacao Keto Smoothie With Chia Seeds & Avocado
Low Carb Keto Green Smoothie Recipe
Matcha Keto Green Smoothie Recipe
Low Carb Chocolate Avocado Protein Smoothie
Or for a change try this 5-Minute Low Carb Smoothie Bowl Recipe
Finally, here’s the recipe by Naomi Whittel, a wellness expert and author of Glow15.
Immune Boosting Smoothie
Ingredients
- 600 mg capsule of ashwagandha powder from
- 500mg capsule of resveratrol powder
- A scoop of vitamin-packed superfood powder
- A handful of leafy greens
- ½ avocado
- ½ cubed cucumber
- 2 tbsp. chopped parsley
- 2 tbsps. black seed oil
- 2 tbsps. MCT oil
- Juice from ½ organic lemon
- 1 cup of filtered water
Directions
-
- Add all ingredients together in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into your serving glasses
- Sip slowly and visualize it boosting your immune system.
- Enjoy!
Here’s a video demo of this incredible immune boosting smoothie.
