Do Wellness Shots Really Work? We Asked Experts
Wellness shots are all the rage these days. There’s no denying that these nutrient-packed, concentrated juices are way better for you than the alcoholic variety; rather than leading to a hangover, they boast a range of benefits like boosted immunity, gut health, energy, and more. But do the the results really deliver on these promises? We spoke to health experts to find out.
To get down to the bottom of this wellness trend, we talked to physician David Seitz, MD of Ascendant Detox, registered dietitian Katherine Amelin, and Cindy Kasindorf, Certified Nutritional Health Counselor and founder of Remedy Organics. They told us that although they’re not a miracle cure, wellness shots can play a valuable role in boosting your immune system. Find all of their expert insight below!
Wellness shots are worth a shot!
When it comes to wellness shots, most health experts seem to be in agreement: although they're not a necessity for most people and you shouldn't rely on them for all of your nutrients by any means, regularly taking these healthy shots is certainly a promising prospect that couldn't hurt to try!
As Kasindorf explains, shots like those made my Remedy Organics "can help support your body’s ability to build and defend against outside invaders such as germs, bacteria and viruses." And while they might not be a magic antidote for all of your ailments, Dr. Seitz says that studies suggest they may be beneficial when it comes to boosting immunity, gut health, energy, and more. As he notes, "many people report feeling healthier and more energized after consuming them," likely thanks to the fact that they're "usually packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that can help support a healthy lifestyle." That's definitely a win in our book!
Immunity-boosting ingredients
Wellness and immunity shots can be especially helpful for anyone who is worried that they're not getting enough immunity-boosting nutrients in their daily diet. "If you find it difficult to incorporate herbs, spices, and other nutrient-dense foods into your diet, having wellness shots on a regular basis can have beneficial effects," Amelin says. "Depending on the ingredients, they generally have a good amount of antioxidants, antimicrobials, and anti-inflammatory ingredients that tend to help to boost your immune system."
Dr. Seitz echoes this sentiment, pointing out that "The biggest benefit of taking wellness shots on a regular basis is that they can provide essential vitamins and minerals that may not be present in your daily diet." Immunity+ shots made by Remedy Organics, for example, offer up a variety of fantastic, vitamin-rich ingredients such as Vitamins C and D, zinc, elderberry, ginger and more.
Dr. Seitz explains that Vitamin C, in particular, can be especially useful when it comes to boosting immunity: "Vitamin C plays an important role in immune health as it helps promote the production of white blood cells, which fight off infections," he says. He also highlights elderberry, which is "used to boost immunity and fight off colds, flu, and other infections."
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Many shots can even give you a boost of energy. Take Remedy Organic's ENERGIZE shot, for example, which packs in 75mg of caffeine thanks to incredible Japanese matcha. Plus, wellness shots oftentimes contain prebiotics and probiotics, which Dr. Seitz says "are beneficial for gut health and overall wellness." Probiotics are always a great addition to your diet, no matter how you get them, as they can help restore balance in your gut. And when your gut thrives, your whole body thrives—so there's definitely no harm in enjoying a gut-healthy shot such as Remedy Organics' DIGEST shots.
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The bottom line
Overall, Dr. Seitz tells us that "if you want to give your immune system a helping hand, drinking an immunity shot could be a good way to do it." Just remember that at the end of the day, incorporating whole, nutrient-rich foods into your diet is always the best way to stay on top of your health—everything else should just be an added bonus.
Of course, there are plenty of other ways to keep your immune system safe this winter. Kasindorf recommends "getting good quality sleep, eating foods that are full of nutrients, drinking lots of water, and engaging in activities that lower your stress levels–this could be meditating, taking nature walks, practicing yoga, journaling or listening to good music." And when in doubt, throw back that vitamin C shot and let the ingredients do their work!
