Cold and flu season has arrived, which for many of us means loading up on vitamins and supplements to help keep us healthy. After all, who wants to be stuck in bed fighting a cold or dealing with the flu? Not me!
As a registered dietitian, I know the value of supplying my body with immune-supporting nutrients during these colder months. I don’t give into all the “immune-boosting” solutions on the market, as many have zero evidence to back up their claims. However, I know the data suggests that vitamin C helps promote the production of immune cells, and vitamin D helps protect against respiratory tract infections, including the flu. So, I keep my immune-supporting regimen simple — along with eating a balanced diet, sleeping well, and exercising, I give myself a daily supplemental boost of the immune-supporting trifecta that is vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D.
But while I may do a great job at buying my pills, I don’t do as good of a job actually taking them. I am super-compliant with my supplement regimen for about a week, and then things tend to go downhill rather quickly. I get busy and forget to pop my pills, and ultimately the bottles start collecting dust and make their way into the supplement graveyard.
One day, while leisurely strolling through my grocery store aisles (which I frequently do — it’s my “me” time), I came across Uncle Matt’s Organic Ultimate Immune (available in stores). Skeptical about whether a juice could meet my needs, I perused the label and was pleasantly surprised. This natural and organic OJ is loaded with nutrients that actually have data supporting their effects on immune health, including (per serving) 300 percent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C, 50 percent of the RDA of vitamin D, and 25 percent of the RDA of zinc. My beloved trifecta! Added organic elderberry juice gives this beverage antibacterial and antiviral benefits, while also giving it a pretty berry-colored hue that helps make each glass totally Instagram-worthy (priorities, right?).
Plus, because the base is traditional organic orange juice, it’s naturally chock-full of important carotenoids — including beta carotene, alpha carotene, and beta cryptoxanthin, which can help form vitamin A in the body, an important nutrient for immune function. Another bonus? Drinking 100 percent orange juice daily also provides my body with hesperidin, an antioxidant that has been shown to offer blood pressure benefits, which means drinking this juice allows me to take care of my heart health as well as my immune health. Needless to say, I’m sold.
Being a tired working mom, having a solution that is as simple as pouring a glass of juice and sipping it is a welcomed addition to my otherwise crazy life. This juice tastes good, contains a boost of nutrients that helps my body stay in fighting shape during cold and flu season, and is made from real organic orange juice with no added sugars. It’s something my entire family now enjoys before running out the door for school or work in the morning.
Along with making sure to wash my hands frequently, getting quality sleep, and eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, enjoying a glass of Uncle Matt’s Organic Ultimate Immune every morning is a no-brainer to help keep my immune system in-check. Because the last thing I want this winter is to be stuck in bed for a week with the “ick.” Nobody has time for that.
