Home » Immunity: Citrus & Ginger Smoothie
Immunity: Citrus & Ginger Smoothie
- March 22, 2021
- Ashley Tyrner
Prep
15 mins
cook
0 mins
serves
2
If I could recommend any two components for supporting a strong, healthy immune system it would be juicy citrus fruits and ginger. These two are absolute powerhouses when it comes to staying healthy all-year long. But what is it about this duo that is so dynamite? Before we jump right into it, let’s get a solid understanding of what exactly the immune system is.
The Immune System Breakdown
Essentially, the immune system is a sophisticated web of cells and proteins that protect the body and help it to fend off infections and diseases. The active parts of this system that are constantly working to fight off illnesses are white blood cells, antibodies, the complement system, lymphatic system, spleen, thymus, and the bone marrow. Talk about a front line of defense!
White blood cells – made in your bone marrow, these little guys travel through blood and tissue seeking out microbes like bacteria, viruses, and fungi
Antibodies – help your body to fight microbes and the different toxins that they produce
Complement system – as the name implies, the system complements the work done by the antibodies
Lymphatic system – the primary function of this system includes maintaining our fluid levels
Spleen – an organ that filters blood and destroys old and damaged red blood cells
Bone marrow – the soft, spongy tissue located within our bones that produces blood cells
Thymus – produces white blood cells and filters blood
There you have it! It is this complex system that keeps a close eye on germs that have previously entered the body so that when it enters again, your body recognizes it and fights it off! And basically that’s exactly what immunity is, the ability to recognize what belongs and reject all foreign, potentially harmful intruders.
The Importance of Keeping The Immune System High
A healthy immune system is your body’s best defense when it comes to protecting you from illnesses both big and small. After all, who wants to be sick!? Foreign substances that attempt to enter the body have no chance when your immunity is high and holding strong. The good news is a healthy immune system is easily attained through a healthy diet. Eating meals rich in fruits and vegetables provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay alkalined, balanced, and functioning at its best! And although it is safe to say that practically all fruits and veggies contribute to a strong immune system, certain foods can give you an even bigger boost!
Citrus fruits are definitely one of those foods. Delicious, water-filled, tangy produce like oranges, lemons, grapefruits, mandarins, and clementines are loaded for vitamin C which is vital for growth, development, and again, a smooth-operating immune system. It’s no secret that when we are sick or feel a cold coming on that we almost instinctively opt for eating more oranges and lemon water. That’s because the acidic nature of these fruits levels out our system through their detoxifying properties.
Vitamin C’s Role in the Immune System
We hear it time and time again that the vitamin C found in citrus fruits is a super immune system booster, but why exactly is that? Well because vitamin C plays a key role in enhancing the formation of antibodies within the body, and as we learned earlier, antibodies help fight off toxins from infecting and weakening your body. This is crucial!
Other foods like ginger should come at no surprise when talking of natural immunity boosts due to its high amounts of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. The antioxidants found in ginger protect the body from harmful free radicals which are chemicals that can play a role in developing different cancers. And when you combine both citrus and ginger, you have a powerful cleansing combination to help keep you and your insides in tip top shape!
This citrus ginger smoothie boosts your immune system while detoxifying your body. With just a few, simple ingredients you can make a nutritious and refreshing smoothie that is perfect for time-pressed mornings when you are rushing, but still want to step towards your health goals! The base of this smoothie is one of my favorites to have on hand. Every week once my bananas have ripened to spotty perfection, I break them up and add them into large freezer-safe baggies. Anytime I have an intense sweet craving or just want a light snack, I grab these frozen banana pieces to serve as the foundation to all of my smoothie desires! They are great for you, but also add a nice bulk to the recipe which helps you by staying fuller longer. I receive my fresh oranges weekly through FarmboxRx the fruits and vegetables delivery service. They hold each piece of produce to the highest standard, and for ordering healthy food online, the quality of the fresh produce can be tasted with each bite. Farm fresh and fragrant, I’ll eat oranges whole as a snack, use the zest on top of my meals, and even in water or tea! I like to store them in the fridge alongside my other ripened produce so that when I am ready to eat them they are slightly chilled. This is just my personal preference!
Now to get into the recipe! My favorite part about smoothies is how quick they are to make and even quicker to clean you. Give your produce a couple quick chops, add it to the blender, along with your additional ingredients, press the blend button, and there you have it! And when it comes to cleaning up, just run some warm water all throughout the blender and you’ll be ready for your next treat in seconds!
Be sure to give this smoothie a try and tag us at @FarmboxRx and by using the hashtag #FarmboxRx!
Ingredients
2 large oranges
1 medium banana, frozen
1/2 cup coconut milk
½ cup full fat greek yogurt
½ inch fresh ginger
¼ tsp turmeric
Directions
- Peel oranges and carefully cut flesh from the membrane using a paring knife. Mince ginger.
- Add oranges, banana, coconut milk, yogurt, ginger, and turmeric to the blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!
- Optional: for a thicker smoothie, freeze coconut milk into cubes ahead of time and add the blender frozen.
Immunity: Citrus & Ginger Smoothie
Ashley Tyrner Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2 oranges large
- 1 banana medium, frozen
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 inch fresh ginger
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
Instructions
- Peel oranges and carefully cut flesh from the membrane using a paring knife. Mince ginger.
- Add oranges, banana, coconut milk, yogurt, ginger, and turmeric to the blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!Optional: for a thicker smoothie, freeze coconut milk into cubes ahead of time and add the blender frozen.