Defensive health to get through winter

Choose your weapons…

As the old adage says, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! If this is so, the strategy to win the battle against invisible attacks from bacteria and viruses is a simple one: just fill up on vitamins and minerals to stay in good health.

Carrots

Their high Vitamin A content is doubly beneficial to health because they protect the skin and boost your defences against bacteria and viruses. They are also rich in B-vitamins (B1, B2, B3 and B6) and Vitamin E, with its energizing and vitalizing virtues. Carrots have excellent antioxidant properties thanks to their carotenoids and Vitamin C.

Oranges

For a worry-free winter, Vitamin C is your best ally. Like all citrus fruits, oranges are full of therapeutic properties. Oranges are also a source of Vitamin B9 for strengthening the immune system.

Apples

High in antioxidant Vitamins A, C and E, apples also contain several B-vitamins to help your skin, hair and mucous membranes, our defences against attack. The skin of the apple, rich in fibre, is excellent for digestion.

...and drink them down

These are the three fruits that make up the famous ACE cocktail (see the reworked version below), essential in winter. For one glass, you’ll need:

• 2 carrots (purple if possible: they are richer in vitamins than traditional orange carrots)
• 2 oranges
• 1 apple
• ½ lemon, for a touch of tartness

Peel and cut up the fruit (no need to peel the apple if it is organic), and put them through the Juice & Sauce Attachment.

This vitamin-rich juice (about 300ml) is now ready to drink. Add a spoonful of honey to boost the antibacterial action of the drink and/or warm this beverage to soothe a sore throat.

Check out this post also for some more great health-boosting and fatigue-fighting juice ideas.

Bottoms up!