Boost your immunity this monsoon

Monsoon is not just about the rains; they also bring high humidity levels, which means it is spring time for pathogens. Dampness and humidity create a fertile ground for germs, and can lead to diseases such as jaundice, typhoid, stomach infections, diarrhoea, and fever.

Considering the fact that there can be up to a million bacteria on just one square centimetre of our skin, it is wrong to expect that you can stay away from every single one of them. Pooja Duggal, nutritionist and founder, Healthhunt.in, says, “What you can do is make yourself immune to germs as much as possible. A strong immune system is the perfect shield against pathogens.”

Naavnidhi K Wadhwa, coach for psychology of eating and NLP expert, suggests the inclusion of seasonal fruit coolers, warm soups and herbal teas in your diet. She says, “Consume seasonal fruits such as kiwi, cherry, orange, and guava, which are rich in vitamin C. Tomato juice or soup is good as well. You can add broccoli, bell peppers, and garlic to the soup, too.”

“Sipping on 8-12 ounces of warm water with five to eight one-inch-long ginger wedges and one or two lime disks builds immunity with the help of natural antioxidants,” says Payal Kothari, integrative nutritionist and life coach.

HEALTHY DRINKS TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNITY

Turmeric latte: Before ■ it got a fancy name, turmeric latte was just our very own haldi doodh. It is a healthy nutritional supplement with bioactive compounds such as curcuminoids, and the most effective cure for flus. Carrot, ginger, and turmeric juice: Carrots contain loads of beta carotene, a powerful phytonutrient, while ginger is a well-known antibacterial agent. This juice boosts the immune system’s production of infectionfighting natural killer cells and T cells.

Carrot, apple and celery juice: This is an excellent choice for the young, old, and those who fall sick often. Apple peel contain a flavonoid called quercetin that can help regulate the immune system and tackle inflammation. Celery restores stomach acid levels and is full of vitamin C.

Tea with herbs: Warm desi chai with black tea, cinnamon, saffron, ginger, and cloves helps reboot your immunity. These herbs energise the immune system at a cellular level, if consumed consistently. Replace sugar with jaggery, as sugar interferes in curing inflammation.

Flavoured water: Boil water with coriander leaves, seeds, cloves, or mint leaves. Adding tulsi leaves is also beneficial as they have anti-bacterial and antiinflammatory properties. Tropical smoothies: Whip up a tropical smoothie with kiwi, orange juice, and coconut water. Add curd to make it richer and act as an immunity shield. Immunity booster juice: Mix the juice of aloe vera, apple, and ginger with other herbs, and drink this every day on an empty stomach. It can help you avoid flus, colds and digestion issues during the monsoon. ■ anjali.shetty@htlive.com

Drink seasonal fruit juices such as kiwi, cherry, orange, and guava, which are rich in vitamin C. Tomato juice or soup is good as well. You can add broccoli, bell peppers, and garlic to the soup, too. NAAVNIDHI K WADHWA

COACH FOR PSYCHOLOGY OF EATING AND NLP EXPERT