Boost your immunity this cold & flu season

Our immune system, when working as it should, is our first defence, working hard to protect us against disease-causing viruses and bacteria.

With winter's cold and flu season in full swing, now's the perfect time to put some immune-boosting strategies in place.

Here are a few quick tips to keep your immunity up, as well as a delicious Citrus-Kombucha Immunity Booster recipe to help boost your immune system and take care of your gut.

• Frequently wash your hands. This may seem evident but having clean mitts is a must to avoid picking up unwanted bugs, particularly in public areas or when catching public transport.
• Make sure you're getting enough Vitamin C, which is particularly important for immunity. As it's a water-soluble vitamin and not stored, you'll need to keep yup a regular intake!  
• Support your gut with probiotics such as kombucha, kefir and tepache. A healthy gut will support a strong immune system.
• Reduce your stress levels. Stress takes a huge toll on our immunity. You’ve probably noticed that at times of stress you're more likely to pick up an illness. Of course, it's not possible to avoid stress completely, but employing stress management strategies, such as meditation, is a great start.
• Ensure you get enough sleep. The amount of sleep required varies but the general rule of thumb is to aim for 7-8 hours per night. If you do come down with a virus, you'll likely need even more rest to allow your body to fully recover.
• Try our Citrus-Kombucha Immunity booster recipe below. It's a banger of a nutrient hit that supports immunity, nourishes gut health and is crazy delicious!

Pairing our probiotic Nexba Elderflower & Lemon Kombucha with fibre rich foods such as medjool dates and chia seeds is a great way to ensure the probiotics are working their magic in your tummy. Why? Because fibre helps the good bacteria in your gut grow.

Servings 1.

2 oranges, peeled and chopped
1 carrot, peeled
2 medjool dates (optional)
1/2 cup coconut yoghurt
1 tsp soaked chia seeds*
3/4 cup Nexba Elderflower & Lemon Kombucha 
1/2 tsp ground ginger

*We recommend pre-soaking chia seeds in filtered water as they can be hard to digest otherwise.

1. Combine all ingredients in a high power blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Transfer to glass (or bowl) and add toppings if desired.

Oranges: Oranges, like other citrus fruits, are best known for their exceptional Vitamin C content. Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant, vital for boosting immunity.

For maximum nutrient content, purchase organic oranges, and use quickly, as vitamin C depletes with age. Some of the nutrients in oranges are also sensitive to heat, so juicing/blending is a great option for maximum retention of goodness.

Carrots: Carrots have long been known for their exceptional beta-carotene and Vitamin A content. Vitamin A also supports the lining of the digestive tract, in turn, nurturing gut health. Keeping your gut healthy and happy is essential in keeping your immune system strong.

Choose organic carrots if possible, to minimise pesticide residue and always check for freshness by looking for vibrant colour and crunch. Carrots which look lifeless and limp generally are.

Dates: Aside from being a tasty sweet treat, dates are a great source of dietary fibre which plays a critical role in digestive health. Beware of consuming too many, though, as they're high in fructose, which is one of the key sugars to avoid.

Coconut yoghurt: Coconut yoghurt is a great source of probiotics, as well as being a rich source of antioxidants. Coconut also contains antibacterial and anti fungal properties which aid with illness prevention.

Chia seeds: Chia seeds are a source of plant-based protein, dietary fibre and omega 3 fatty acids. Chia also contains iron which plays a role in the transportation oxygen around the body, therefore aiding immune function.

Kombucha: Nexba Kombucha contains 500 million live probiotics, which unlike many probiotics, actually survive the journey from your mouth to your gut. Probiotics help to strengthen the immune system by fighting off bad bacteria whilst supporting a strong, healthy gut.

Ginger: Ginger root contains antibacterial properties, making it a great choice for boosting immunity. Incorporating ginger into your daily diet is a fab way to support the immune system.