Summer may be here, but that doesn’t mean COVID-19 is disappearing anytime soon. And with the threat of a virus still looming over your head, it’s time to up the immunity game. These frozen treats can help give you a fighting chance against viruses or pathogens heading your way. Here are three delicious popsicle recipes that’ll help beat the summer heat, and boost your immunity.
What’s the deal with immunity — and can you actually boost it?
Your immune system is your body’s defense system, and it does a pretty good job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes, due to poor diet and lifestyle habits, it fails, leaving you vulnerable to pathogens (like coronavirus) that can invade your body. So, what if you improve your diet and make some healthy lifestyle changes? To function well, the immune system needs balance and precise synchronization. The immune system is not a single thing. It’s actually made up of a network of tissues, cells, molecules, and organs working together to protect your body. Each of these elements plays a key role in how the immune system functions as a whole. How it functions, is vital to prevent infection and disease.
Good nutrition is our life force
At the moment, though, there is still so much that researchers need to learn about the intricacies of the immune system. Let’s face it; if they knew more, we’d probably have a vaccine to cure most ailments. But that doesn’t mean the effects of a healthy diet and lifestyle on the immune system shouldn’t be explored. Today, more than ever, researchers are looking at how diet, exercise, psychological stress, and other factors affect the immune response. In the meantime, until they find a cure for the common cold, it’s important to do everything you can to keep your immune system robust and healthy. Good nutrition points you in the right direction. These healthy popsicles can help boost your immunity, and they’re fast and easy to make. All you need are some nutritionally dense foods, popsicle molds, a blender, and a freezer.
Golden Milk Coconut Popsicle
This golden milk coconut popsicle is a refreshing twist on the golden milk latte. The inflammation-fighting ingredients include coconut milk, honey, ginger, and turmeric. Turmeric provides immune-boosting benefits. Studies show that curcumin — the main compound in turmeric — helps manage inflammatory conditions like metabolic syndrome, arthritis, anxiety, high cholesterol, inflammation-induced exercise, and muscle soreness. The addition of black pepper boosts curcumin’s absorption rate by 2000 percent, due to piperine, the main compound in pepper. Ginger is rich in antioxidants, and its anti-inflammatory properties support the immune system via digestion and pain management. Raw Honey, also rich in antioxidants, boosts immunity because of its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
- 1.5 cups almond milk
- 1 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 5 Tbsp raw honey
Instructions:
- Blend all ingredients together in a blender.
- Pour into popsicle molds.
- Add popsicle sticks and freeze overnight.
Frozen Elderberry Pops
Elderberries have been used for millennia to support the immune system. Often used to fight the common cold, studies reveal that elderberry has potent antiviral effects that may help combat the flu virus. According to the study, elderberry prevents the early stages of infection by blocking key viral proteins that are responsible for both entering and attaching to host cells. These elderberry popsicles boost immunity by soothing sore throats, suppressing coughs, viruses, and inflammation.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups organic grape Juice
- 1/2 cup orange Juice
- 3 Tbsp elderberry syrup
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 Tbsp raw honey
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients into a large pitcher. Stir well to incorporate.
- Pour into popsicle molds.
- Add popsicle sticks and freeze overnight.
- When removing popsicles from the freezer, allow to thaw for a minute or two, or run the mold under warm water for a few seconds to help release popsicles.
Mango, Coconut Popsicles (Vegan, gluten free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free)
If you love mango and coconut, you’ll love these popsicles! Mango, also known as the king of fruits in some countries, boasts an awesome nutritional profile. In fact, research shows that mango’s health benefits not only improve immunity but also aid digestive health, eyesight, and lower the risk of certain cancers. Coconut, while higher in fat, is not like other saturated fats. The fat in coconut is a medium-chain fatty acid. This means that it doesn’t contribute to high cholesterol as other saturated, long-chain fatty acids do. A recent study found that coconut meat contains antioxidants that help boost immunity by helping reduce inflammation in the body.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups frozen mango chunks
- 1. 5 cups full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
- 1 – 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup (to taste)
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes or frozen coconut meat
Instructions:
- Add mangoes, coconut milk, maple syrup, and coconut chunks to the blender, and blend until smooth.
- Scrape down the sides of the blender until blended well.
- Pour into popsicle molds, making sure to leave about a 1/4 inch of space at the top of the mold to allow for freezing expansion. Insert popsicle sticks into the mold.
- Freeze for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- When removing popsicles from the freezer, let thaw for a minute or two, or run the mold under warm water for a few seconds to help release popsicles.
Enjoy!
-Katherine Marko