Respect Your Elderberries
This purple powerhouse berry is your go-to for immune support
If you’re a fan of Uncle Matt’s Organic better-for-you beverages, you’ve probably seen our Ultimate Immune bottles on grocery store shelves near you. If you’ve tasted this delicious innovation, you also probably thought “wow, it’s purple orange juice!” While that’s true, Ultimate Immune is so much more.
This functional fave is a beverage that we’ve boosted with powerful ingredients like elderberries (where the purple color comes from!), Vitamin D and zinc. So, what’s so special about this combination of added ingredients to our Vitamin C-packed OJ? What does this have to do with cold and flu season? Let’s break it down:
Vitamin C: We’ll start with the most well-known nutrient you’ll find in orange juice: Vitamin C! The Florida Department of Citrus touts Vitamin C’s immune supporting properties. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that promotes white blood cell development to help the immune system defend itself against infections. One 8oz glass of OJ alone provides the Recommended Daily Value of Vitamin C. In our Ultimate Immune beverage, you’ll get 300% of your Vitamin C RDA in one 8oz glass.
Elderberries: All that Vitamin C doesn’t just come from organic orange juice. Elderberries are also packed with this vital nutrient! Elderberries, specifically the sambucus nigra variety, are the most commonly found variation of this berry and are often referred to as ‘black’ elderberry.
Healthline explains how the nutritional properties of elderberries can positively affect your immune system performance. While there is further research needed, studies suggest black elderberry extract could help lessen the severity of cold and flu symptoms and even decrease illness duration. When it comes to the immune system, the polyphenols found in black elderberry could also support an increased white blood cell count; white blood cells are your inflammation and illness fighters that support your overall health.
Zinc: Medical News Today outlines the many health benefits of zinc. Two of the most noteworthy benefits are immune system support and potential shortening of the common cold. Appropriate recommended levels of this essential element are necessary to keep the immune system functioning and to help reduce the risk of infections. Zinc appears to be involved in making physical barriers — such as the cells that line our organs — more resistant to invasion.
In our functional Ultimate Immune beverage, you’ll find zinc in its supplement form called zinc gluconate. Ultimate Immune provides 25% of your Recommended Daily Allowance per 8oz serving.
Vitamin D: According to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements, Vitamin D is important for a myriad of bodily functions, but when it comes to your immune system, this vitamin helps “to fight off invading bacteria and viruses.”
We added Vitamin D to our Ultimate Immune juice in a supplement form called VegD3®. Did you know that many people who abstain from animal products have low levels of Vitamin D? That’s because most plant forms of Vitamin D provide Vitamin D2, not Vitamin D3. Studies suggest Vitamin D3 does a better job of supporting overall Vitamin D levels in your body than Vitamin D2. VegD3® is unique because it’s a vegan, plant-based form of Vitamin D, so it’s inclusive for those who might follow specific dietary guidelines.
Did you know Uncle Matt’s is also one of the first companies to add VegD3® to beverages? We have a whole blog post about this, so check out Vitamin D from plants? You Betcha for more.
So where can you find Uncle Matt’s Ultimate Immune juice loaded with these immune-supporting ingredients? Check our store locator for availability nearest you! You can also order our 52oz Ultimate Immune, 12oz Ultimate Immune and our 2oz Ultimate Immune Juice Shot directly from our website https://shop.unclematts.com.
As we’re entering into cooler months when cases of the cold and flu tend to be more common and widespread, supporting a healthy immune system is more important than ever. While we can’t promise you won’t get sick, at Uncle Matt’s, we love educating our customers about the important nutrients which play a key role in supporting your immune system. As always, this is not medical advice, and you should consult your medical provider before beginning to take any supplements.