Throughout the day our body requires enough energy to meet all the demands put upon it, especially when exercising (something we should ALL do routinely to be as healthy as possible).
That is why a good shake before or after exercise, as a replacement for breakfast or lunch, containing everything needed to nourish us and support the immune system, is an excellent addition to a healthy lifestyle.
To help you out, we’ve included Dr. Juan’s favorite shake – which he calls the ‘Incredible Hulk’ because it contains a mixture of delicious nutrients that support your body’s needs with an added, supercharging bonus: Santo Remedio supplements that are essential to supporting your health, especially in times like these when our immune system demands that we pay close attention to it!
Below is the recipe:
Ingredients
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1 banana cut in small pieces and frozen (if not frozen, add ice)
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2 teaspoons of unsalted peanut butter (or use unsalted almond butter as an alternative)
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1 glass of almond or coconut milk
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1 scoop of protein powder (whey or vegan, if you prefer)
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1 Santo Remedio Zinc capsule
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1 Santo Remedio Vitamin C capsule
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1 Santo Remedio Echinacea capsule
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1 Santo Remedio Vitamin B12 capsule
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender, including the contents of each capsule. Mix for a few seconds until well blended, and you're done!
Why these ingredients?
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Bananas are rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium, folic acid, beta-carotene and vitamins B, C and E, among other nutrients. Eating this fruit protects the body from oxidative stress, prevents constipation, supports vision, reduces cardiovascular risks, provides energy and fights depression, among a long list of other benefits.
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Peanut butter is a nutrient-complete food that contains a good fat (omega-3) that helps protect the nervous system, heart and brain. It is also a good source of protein that provides energy and contains resveratrol, folic acid, coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E, among other nutrients.
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According to numerous studies, almonds have many nutritional ingredients such as fatty acids, amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Their prebiotic capacity has shown to be protective against diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.
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Coconut milk in moderation is also a great alternative to dairy milk. Scientific evidence suggests that it is less likely to promote insulin resistance, inflammation, and fat storage because it is instead burned for energy. It has also been shown to support immunity due to its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities.
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Protein is critical, especially for exercise because our muscles need it, along with carbohydrates, to respond to physical exertion and burn fat while generating energy. Afterwards, our muscles also need protein to produce essential amino acids that allow faster recovery and build more mass.
Santo Remedio Reinforcements
What makes the Incredible Hulk shake special is the addition of three top products from our health bundle to make your immune system bulletproof – zinc, vitamin C & echinacea, and vitamin B12. Below is a breakdown:
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Zinc is essential to the proper functioning of the immune system. If there is a deficiency, the amount and functions of immune cells decrease, leaving us vulnerable to infections, disease and inflammation.
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Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects us from environmental oxidative stress. It also helps support the creation of energy, hormones and neurotransmitters within the body. Its role in enhancing our immune response functions by supporting the production of collagen, a strengthener of our body's natural barriers.
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Echinacea is an herb with so many immunologically stimulating, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that it is one of the most sought after and studied due to its ability to prevent and alleviate the symptoms of viral infections. New research has found that it also has significant potential to support other health aspects such as anxiety and depression.
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Vitamin B12 strengthens DNA synthesis and cellular energy production which are critical to supporting a healthy immune system. It also plays an important role in various functions related to vascular, cognitive, bone and eye health.
The Incredible Hulk is a delicious, nutritious, energizing, easy-to-make shake that rewards your defenses and promotes an overall sense of well-being. Give it a try and let us know what you think!
If you would like to see how Dr. Juan prepares the shake, check out the video below:
Let's be healthier, together!
Your friends at Santo Remedio
References
Bioactive compounds in banana and their associated health benefits - A review (1)
Dietary Protein and Muscle Mass: Translating Science to Application and Health Benefit (2)
Peanuts as functional food: a review (3)
Almonds (Prunus Dulcis Mill. D. A. Webb): A Source of Nutrients and Health-Promoting Compounds (4)
Coconut Fats (5)
Good Fats versus Bad Fats: A Comparison of Fatty Acids in the Promotion of Insulin Resistance, Inflammation, and Obesity (6)
Zinc Signals and Immunity (7)
Vitamin C and Immune Function (8)
Echinacea (9)
