There are many super tonics and smoothies, which you can make using the ingredients from your kitchen to benefit your body thanks to their potent anti-inflammatory effect. These super drinks will helps in alleviating the symptoms of arthritis and other such inflammatory conditions.
Some of the anti-inflammatory powerhouses consist of: ginger, turmeric, baking soda, parsley, bone broth etc.
In this article we will talk about seven science-backed wonder drinks that will help in fighting inflammation in the body, relieving symptoms of health conditions and allow your body to heal.
1. Parsley and Ginger Green Drink
The active ingredient in Parsley is carnosol, which targets the inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis. A study from 2020 showed that this is a safe and effective solution for conditions that are caused by inflammation (1). Ginger is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties and it can help in preventing the production of inflammatory molecules like leukotriene, prostaglandin and pro-inflammatory cytokines (2).
Benefits of ginger are: helps with digestion; helps in reducing pain and soreness in the muscles; it has gingerol, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory compound.
How to make this wonder drink: Add the following ingredients in the blender; 1 to 2 inches of ginger; a handful of parsley; one green apple; one lemon; 2 cups of spinach; 2 to 3 celery stalks and 1 small cucumber.
2. Baking Soda Drink
Research has shown that drinking a concoction of baking soda and water can be beneficial in reducing inflammation (3, 4). However, there were some studies which also showed that this drink can have some harmful side effects, such as liver damage when consumed for long term.
So, it is advised to drink baking soda drink for alleviating short-term inflammation and not go beyond a month. This drink acts as a short term relief from inflammation.
Benefits of Baking Soda: Easily available; need to be taken on a short term basis; and calms the autoimmune response of the body.
How to make this wonder drink: Mix 1/4 tsp of baking soda in 8 to 12 ounces of water and drink it once daily for not more than two to four weeks.
3. Lemon and Turmeric Drink
There are a lot of studies showcasing the benefits of curcumin, which is the active ingredient present in turmeric which helps with reducing the inflammatory response of the body and gives relief from joint pain and inflammation occurring as a result of multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis (5). Curcumin is shown to have to benefit various inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.
A study analysis from 2018 found that curcumin was a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, which can help in controlling enzymes, proteins and cytokines in disorders related to central nervous system including multiple sclerosis (5).
Benefits of Curcumin consist of its antioxidant effect; fighting degeneration of brain and relieving chronic inflammation.
How to make this wonder drink: Take a saucepan and add 1 tbsp. fresh grated ginger; 1 tbsp. fresh grated turmeric; rind of lemon; juice of 1 lemon and 3 cups of filtered water. Heat this up till it simmers and then turn off the heat. Do not boil it. Strain this wonderful concoction and drink 1 cup a day.
4. Bone Broth
Bone broth, especially of chicken, helps with joint health due to the glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate present in the cartilage, which acts as a good source of anti-inflammatory amino acids, such as glycine, proline and arginine.
Studies have shown that chicken bone broth has anti-inflammatory compounds and helps in relieving the symptoms of ulcerative colitis (6).
Benefits of Bone Broth: Fights inflammation; gives better sleep and memory; helps with joint health as it contains collagen.
How to make this wonder drink: Add the following ingredients to a slow cooker, 2 lbs. of chicken bones; 2 chicken feet; 2 carrots; 1 onion; 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar; 2 celery stalks and 1 gallon of water.
Simmer this for about 24 to 48 hours while removing the fat from the top occasionally. Remove from heat and let it cool. Remove the solids and strain the broth and drink this when it is lukewarm.
5. Matcha Anti-Inflammatory Drink
Matcha is a powdered green tea known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Matcha is rich in catechins, more so epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and is a green tea packed with antioxidants more so than other types of green tea (7).
Matcha is made of finely ground green tea leaves and has more antioxidant compounds than compared to other types of green tea due to the nature of its growth and preparation. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, the EGCG in green tea may also support heart health and cognitive function.
Benefits of Matcha are: has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; great source of EGCG; beneficial for cognitive function and heart health (7).
How to make this wonder drink: Take a saucepan and add these ingredients: 2 tbsp. sliced fresh ginger with skin; 1 sprig of fresh mint; 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper; 2 cups water. boil and bring to simmer for five minutes, after which remove the ginger and the mint and to this add 2 tsp. of matcha green tea powder and whisk it to make a super beneficial drink.
6. Berries and Greens Smoothie
This beneficial smoothie is full of whole vegetables and fruits beneficial for fighting inflammation. Berries, dark leafy greens and beets are full of antioxidants and fiber.
Benefits of Berry: They are rich in polyphenols, has strong antioxidant effects and all of which help in alleviating the symptoms and progression of arthritis (8).
How to make this wonder drink: Take a blender and add the following ingredients: 1/2 peeled beet; 1 cup dark leafy greens; 1 cup frozen mixed berries; 1/2 cup frozen mango or pineapple; 1/2 peeled orange; 1 tsp. peeled fresh ginger; 1/2 cup of ice or water and 1 tsp. coconut oil.
7. Functional Food Drink
No doubt one should always try to consume whole foods. However, there are few functional food powders, which help in giving antioxidants and anti-inflammatories in one single drink. Powders which are rich in antioxidants and bioflavonoids food sources like rosemary, ginger and turmeric are greatly beneficial in enhancing the immune system and decreasing the inflammation in the body. Other such functional food powders are helpful in healing leaky gut issues, which allows the body to absorb more nutrients along with keeping out the toxins and allergens responsible for causing inflammation.
Adding arctic cod liver oil to smoothies is also beneficial for the body as it contains omega-3 fatty acids that help in suppressing the proteins, which act as a trigger for chronic inflammation (9).
Benefits of Cod Liver Oil: It is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids; vitamins A and D all of which help act as anti-inflammatory agents and help in alleviating the joint pain in individuals suffering from arthritis.
How to make this wonder drink: Add the following ingredients in a blender: 2 scoops of any functional food powder that you like; 1 cup of berries; a cup of rice or milk; half a banana and 1 tsp. arctic cod liver oil. Blend these together into a smoothie and drink it daily for a better health
Conclusion
Other than eating healthy solid foods, one can easily opt for healthy drinks made of beneficial ingredients found in your kitchen and benefit your health and reduce the symptoms of many diseases. Consuming these super drinks will save you some time when you are on the go and need something healthy to combat your hunger pangs.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7170921/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9654013/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7249593/
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180425093745.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9376628/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8618064/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7796401/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788027/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7468753/