Cold and Flu Busting Smoothies and Drinks (Recipes)

Are you trying to find recipes for easy-to-make smoothies that can help bust colds and the flu? In this section, you can explore a whole host of anti-cold and anti-flu smoothie recipes and other drink recipes that deliver flu-busting compounds such as vitamin C and flavonoids.

Tip: Before you set free the smoothie guru in you and delve into the healthy drink recipes below, it might be a good idea to explore the section Diet for Common Cold Prevention and visit the section Best Foods for Fighting Colds and the Flu which provide more general information about how what we eat and drink can affect our chances of coming down with a cold or flu.

Immune-Boosting Smoothie Featuring Elderberry Syrup

This super-healthy smoothie pairs plums with red grape juice, both of which are famous for their powerful antioxidant properties. The crushed pumpkin seeds in this smoothie deliver plenty of zinc, a trace mineral that helps keep your immune system on guard. The immune-enhancing properties of this smoothie are further boosted by elderberry syrup, a popular home remedy against colds and flu.
See the Recipe

Catechin-Rich Ice Tea

Catechins found in green tea have been shown to inhibit the activity of the common cold adenovirus as well as certain influenza viruses. This anti-flu drink recipe calls for loose tea leaves and a long brewing time, both of which improve the release of catechins from green tea leaves. Lemon juice, rich in vitamin C, further improves the availability of catechins.
See the Recipe

Green Tea and Pineapple Smoothie

This must-try anti-flu recipe pairs green tea with pineapple to create a delicious and highly nutritious smoothie to boost your immune system.
See the Recipe

Scandinavian Blueberry Soup

In Scandinavia, blueberry soup is a popular treat that can be served warm as an appetizer or chilled as a dessert. But the benefits of blueberry soup extend far beyond its culinary use. In a laboratory test conducted by USDA researchers, wild blueberries were ranked number one in terms of antioxidant capacity over 40 other tested fruits, berries, and vegetables. The antioxidant properties of wild blueberries were shown to be even stronger than those of cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, plums, or cultivated blueberries.
See the Recipe

Cough-Fighting Hot Chocolate

One study conducted in the UK found that an ingredient in dark chocolate and cocoa called theobromine was more effective at fighting coughs than a leading cough medicine. The effect was almost one third more effective than that of the cough medicine. Furthermore, dark cocoa contains flavonoids which have strong antioxidant activity.
See the Recipe

For more recipes that help fight the common cold and flu, go to the main recipe directory of HealWithFood.org's Guide to Fighting the Common Cold and Flu.