Monsoon arrives with refreshing breeze, lush greenery and earthy smell of mud, but it also brings with it a surge in seasonal infections. For kids who are more prone to infections, an immunity drink can be a valuable addition to their diet. Choosing the right immunity drink can help reinforce their natural defense system and protect them from seasonal bugs that cause illnesses and diseases. A proactive approach through adequate nutrition, hygiene and preventive habits can strengthen your kids’ immunity and help them stay healthy during the monsoon.
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Children face a variety of health issues in monsoon due to high humidity, water contamination and exposure to bacteria and viruses causing colds, fever, dengue, malaria, diarrhea and digestive issues. As the immune systems of kids are developing, including an immunity strengthening drink made with natural ingredients and food sources can build their immunity.
An illness on a rainy day can affect your kids’ appetite and mood. Besides, limited exposure to sunlight during monsoon may also reduce their Vitamin D levels. Here’s where including drinks that support the immune system can fill in those nutritional gaps by providing essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in a convenient, tasty and easy-to-digest form.
A timeless immunity drink, Turmeric milk is a soothing and comforting beverage to treat a common cold which is often accompanied by headaches, fever and a runny nose. Turmeric consists of curcumin known for anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and milk is a good source of protein, calcium1 Add a pinch of black pepper to aid its absorption and honey for sweetness. A cup of warm turmeric milk before bedtime can help your child sleep better and also provide relief from the symptoms.
Amla juice being rich in vitamin C and antioxidants builds immunity, supports liver function and strengthens the respiratory system making it an ideal add-in your child’s monsoon diet.2 Dilute the juice with water and add a dash of jaggery or honey to mask the sour flavor.
Soups can also be considered as one of the drinks to support the immune system.
This immunity drink can serve as a powerhouse of nutrients that enriches your child’s immunity with vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. Carrot supports vision, beetroot provides stamina and ginger helps fight infections.3 Apple can be added to this juice for natural sweetness and fiber while adding lemon adds vitamin C and gives flavor.
Tulsi (holy basil) leaves due to their expectorant properties are important for respiratory health. As Tulsi is rich in vitamin C and zinc, a tea prepared by boiling a few leaves in water with honey can work wonders as a drink to support immunity for kids.4 It provides relief from congestion and ease throat discomfort (sore throats) during an episode of common cold and flu. Honey possesses antimicrobial properties and also serves as a natural cough suppressant.5 Honey not to be used for Infants. Due to its natural ingredients, this herbal tea is considered one of the safe drinks to support the immune system of your child during the rainy season.6
a) Personal hygiene: In hand hygiene, emphasize thorough hand washing, especially before meals and after using the washroom and trimmed nails to prevent the accumulation of dirt and germs. Regular bathing and wearing dry clothes are important to prevent fungal infections.
b) Prevent the spread of waterborne diseases: Provide purified or boiled water as most waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid and diarrhea are spread due to contaminated water sources. Avoid raw foods and street snacks and opt for homemade meals.
c) Protection from Mosquito: Protect kids from monsoon diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya by using mosquito repellants and nets. Dress them in long–sleeved clothing and light coloured clothes to reduce the exposure of mosquitoes.
d) Physical activity: Encourage monsoon-friendly activities like dancing, yoga, stretching, jumping jacks and other exercises that can be done indoors to strengthen kids’ immunity.
e) Vaccination: Vaccines improve your child’s immunity against specific illnesses and minimize the risk of complications. Check with your child’s pediatrician about the requirement of any such additional vaccines recommended for the season.
A well-balanced diet with carbohydrates (rice, wheat, oats and millets), proteins (milk and milk products, pulses, eggs, chicken and fish) and healthy fats (nuts and seeds) containing foods supports your child’s growth and immunity.3 Incorporate a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables (carrots, oranges, beetroot, spinach) rich in vitamins A, C, and E for immunity. In addition to water, include healthy drinks such as fresh fruit juices, coconut water and a homemade immunity drink for better hydration in your child’s diet.
Nutritional drinks such as Complan can also be added to your child’s monsoon diet as it is packed with 34 vital nutrients including immune-enriching nutrients such as B vitamins like B12, Folate, vitamins A, C, E, D zinc, iron and protein that also support overall growth and development.
Achieving strong immunity entails taking a comprehensive initiative to health and wellbeing, alongside adherence to a nutritious diet. A deeper insight into these aspects, particularly the inclusion of a simple, delicious and effective drink to support immunity as a part of the seasonal dietary approach, can protect your kids from ailments. Fuel your kids with drinks to support their immune system and watch them rise and shine!
1. Idowu-Adebayo F, Fogliano V, Linnemann A. Turmeric-Fortified Cow and Soya Milk: Golden Milk as a Street Food to Support Consumer Health. Foods. 2022 Feb 16;11(4):558. doi: 10.3390/foods11040558. PMID: 35206034; PMCID: PMC8871262.
2. Gul M, Liu ZW, Iahtisham-Ul-Haq, Rabail R, Faheem F, Walayat N, Nawaz A, Shabbir MA, Munekata PES, Lorenzo JM, Aadil RM. Functional and Nutraceutical Significance of Amla (Phyllanthus emblica L.): A Review. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022 Apr 22;11(5):816. doi: 10.3390/antiox11050816. PMID: 35624683; PMCID: PMC9137578.
3. Singh DN, Bohra JS, Dubey TP, Shivahre PR, Singh RK, Singh T, Jaiswal DK. Common foods for boosting human immunity: A review. Food Sci Nutr. 2023 Aug 18;11(11):6761-6774. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.3628. PMID: 37970422; PMCID: PMC10630845.
4. Amrita Majumdar1, Bhavay Thakkar2, Shobhit Saxena3, Pradeep Dwivedi4* and Vijaya Tripathi, Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum): Health Benefits and Nutritional Wonders. Acta Scientific NUTRITIONAL HEALTH (ISSN:2582-1423) Volume 7 Issue 9 September 2023.DOI: 10.31080/ASNH.2023.07.1293. Received: July 19, 2023 Published: August 09, 2023 © All rights are reserved by Pradeep Dwivedi., et al.
5. Abuelgasim H, Albury C, Lee J. Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Evid Based Med. 2021;26(2):57-64. doi:10.1136/bmjebm-2020-111336
6. Jamshidi N, Cohen MM. The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:9217567. doi: 10.1155/2017/9217567. Epub 2017 Mar 16. PMID: 28400848; PMCID: PMC5376420.
7. Dr.R.S Khillare, Dr. A.D. Chilkhalikar. Food safety Measures for monsoon. Article id – 37849 Volume 04 – Issue 08 – August 2022
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