Millions of Brits could be more susceptible to winter cold and flu as they are not stocking their fridges and cupboards with the right food and drink due to not knowing the vitamins and minerals that can help improve their immunity, a new study has revealed.

A survey of UK adults by the Fruit Juice Science Centre and Savanta ComRes found that while most (84 %) correctly identified vitamin C as a key nutrient for optimal immunity, many weren’t able to identify the other vitamins and minerals which can help guard against winter illnesses.

When asked which nutrients can help natural immunity, fewer than four in 10 (38 %) correctly identified Iron, commonly found in foods such as red meat, lentils and spinach, while even fewer (32 %) chose vitamin E, which is contained in nuts and seeds, grapefruit juice and red peppers.

Selenium (9 %), found in eggs and poultry, and folate (8 %), found in many green vegetables and 100 % orange juice, were other immunity-boosting nutrients that few consumers know can help guard against flu. Copper (7 %), often found in shellfish and beans, was the least recognised of nutrients with government-backed immunity claims.

Despite three quarters (76 %) of Brits knowing that diet impacts natural immunity, this lack of understanding around vitamins and minerals means many are unsure which food groups they should be consuming. Only half (51 %) identified that 100 % fruit juice and smoothies can support immunity, with 46 % selecting fish and proteins such as beans and eggs. Just one in five (21 %) identified meat as a good source of the key immunity nutrients, iron and zinc.

The research also demonstrated the lasting impact that Covid-19 has had on our approach to winter illness. 55 % of Brits expect to catch a cold or flu this winter, which equates to more than 22 million people. Of these, 45 % will self-isolate if they develop a cold or flu, while 43 % will wear a mask.

Concerningly, more than a third of Brits (35 %) said they would still go into work despite being ill, raising the prospect of offices becoming hotbeds of sickness, while a quarter (26 %) said they wouldn’t wash their hands more frequently if they caught a winter illness.

Leading nutritionist, Dr Emma Derbyshire, commented: “Winter illnesses will hit many of us this year as we return to normal social situations yet it’s clear from this new survey that some are taking their eye off the ball on handwashing and staying at home to avoid infecting others. Whilst having a healthy diet can’t stop viruses, it can help us get over respiratory illnesses faster by supporting our natural immunity. An easy first step is drinking a daily glass of orange juice – just 28% of consumers understand it doesn’t contain any added sugar – which is a convenient and effective source of vitamin C and folate, both proven to support normal immune function”.

Emma Derbyshire’s five nutrition tips for winter immunity are:

• Drink a daily glass of 100 % orange juice to naturally boost your intake of vitamin C and folate.
• Aim for at least 5 daily servings of fruit and vegetables for their vitamin A content.
• Choose wholegrain breakfast cereals, bread and rice as the fibre will promote friendly species of gut bacteria – a first line of defence against winter illnesses.
• Have one serving of oily fish weekly which is rich in calming omega-3 fats and immune-supporting vitamin D.
• Take a handful of Brazil nuts as a snack as these are high in selenium.

Citrus-based flavours are a top consumer taste preference and will be a driving force of market-leading innovation in the years ahead. The Flavorchem team developed an exclusive collection of six true-to-fruit citrus flavours inspired by their associated health halo, global appeal, and consumer demand for authenticity.

Fresh calamansi lime

The fruit itself is very sour, while the peel is sweet. Our calamansi lime type flavour has a familiar juicy lime profile with elements of tangerine and orange.

Fruity kumquat

Kumquat has a sweet, tangy taste that is reminiscent of a cross between an orange and grapefruit. Our kumquat type flavour has notes of orange and grapefruit with fruity and floral undertones.

Juicy blood orange

Blood orange has a complex flavour that’s reminiscent of navel oranges, but is more floral and tart. Our extract is sweet and juicy, fresh and pulpy, and has a fruity aroma similar to tangerine.

Sweet tangerine

Characterized by its coarse peel and tangy flesh, tangerines are typically sweeter and less tart than oranges. Our tangerine extract has a sweet and fresh aroma with a zesty and refreshing taste.

Yuzu citrus

Yuzu’s sophisticated flavour profile is often considered an exotic hybrid of the citrus family. Our yuzu type flavour has notes of grapefruit, lemon, and mandarin.

Zesty key lime

Valued for its characteristic flavour, Key limes are smaller, seedier, and have a stronger aroma than the Persian limes. Our key lime extract, reminiscent of fresh limes, features a sweet, juicy, tangy, and aldehydic top note.

Flavorchem’s citrus varietals can be optimised for any food or beverage application.

Herbal tonics now available in the USA

So long to the days of drinking sugar bombs and face-puckering beverages to help aid digestion. Welcome Sunwink- a San Francisco based, female founded herbal tonic beverage that is bringing herbs to the forefront of the self-care scene. And rightly so, consumers are saying Sunwink’s Detox Ginger herbal tonic makes their stomach feel better than any kombucha they’ve ever had.

Since its 2018 launch- the brand’s Sparkling Detox Ginger has quickly become so popular its had to rapidly increase production. Using bitter herbs like dandelion and burdock root to help the body release digestive enzymes, the effervescent tonic helps the body do what it’s supposed to do, as opposed to kombucha, which merely adds probiotics to the system (a good, but temporary fix).

With half the sugar of a kombucha (most kombuchas range from 12 – 24 grams of sugar per bottle) and 35-50 calories per bottle, Sunwink uses the cleanest and simplest ingredients – NO NATURAL FLAVORS and NO CITRIC ACID. The herbal tonic’s flavors come from the herbs. The drinks are paleo and vegan friendly; they use organic maple syrup to slightly sweeten the blends. “Sunwink puts thought and care into their blends, taking the time necessary to think about which plants they use and what they want to achieve with them,” says Clinical Herbalist, Anne Beauchemin.

Retailing for $ 5 a bottle – the beverage is also available in Turmeric Cleanse and Immunity Berry and can be found at drinksunwink.com.

About Sunwink
With the rapid decline of soda, sparkling and functional beverages are on the rise. Enter Sunwink – the only sparkling herbal tonic beverage on the market. Herbal tonics are a new kind of healthy drink – they taste like a sparkling juice, but all of the flavor comes from herbs. Each Sunwink contains at least 1,000mg of herbal extracts – that’s 4 – 8 times what you’d typically find in an herbal tea bag. And the best part – each Sunwink is inspired by a real woman and the herbs she uses. Sunwink gives 1 % of net sales to organizations of the women’s choosing.