If you’ve walked into a juice bar or grocery store lately, chances are you’ve seen wellness shots (or immunity shots). These tiny bottles are packed with nutrients that promise to boost your immune system and prevent you from getting sick.
They’re a popular trend among fitness influencers and health aficionados, but are they really worth it? We tapped licensed nutritionists to tell us the truth about these supposed health bombs.
They don’t provide a lot of nutrients
Wellness shots, which have become a staple of the health and wellness scene, are small doses of liquid that typically contain a blend of extracts from fruits, vegetables, and spices intended to provide certain health benefits. They come in single-serve sizes and can be found at health food stores, juice bars, and even regular grocery stores.
They’re often marketed as an instant cure for any ailment or as a weight-loss supplement. But are they really worth it?
Although wellness shots can contain a lot of nutrients, they don’t replace a balanced diet. And they don’t have the fiber that fruits and vegetables provide, which promotes healthy gut flora, regulates blood pressure, and helps keep you feeling full.
They’re expensive
In recent years, wellness shots (also called immunity shots) have become a popular way to boost your health. They are essentially tiny bottles of juice that claim to give you all the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy.
They’re also a great way to get vitamins and minerals without having to drink whole fruits or vegetables, which can be bulky and difficult to digest.
Many shots also contain antioxidants, which help your body fight inflammation and free radical damage caused by stress, pollution, and other toxins.
But, as we mentioned before, these shots aren’t a replacement for eating well or taking a multivitamin.
If you’re looking for a quick shot of antioxidants to help your immune system, there are plenty of options out there, from wheatgrass to ginger to lemon juice. The best part about these shots is that they’re simple and easy to get. Plus, they’re packed with important nutrients to keep you energized and feeling your best.
They’re not a cure
Wellness shots, also called immunity shots, are a recent trend that are made of juices with a variety of ingredients that are known to boost the immune system. These include ginger, turmeric, apple cider vinegar and wheatgrass (via The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center).
They’re a great way to get a dose of these nutrients, but they should never be considered a replacement for your regular diet. According to Ashley Simper, a registered dietitian at OSF HealthCare, you should think of wellness shots like you would a supplement — helpful but not a cure.
They also don’t provide the same amount of fiber that you would get from eating fruits and vegetables on your own. Fiber helps fill you up, lowers your glycemic load and reduces blood sugar spikes. It also absorbs water in the intestines and promotes regularity.
They’re not a meal
Usually found in the refrigerated drink section of grocery stores, wellness shots are small, 1 or 2 ounce beverages with ingredients that claim to have health benefits. They’re often touted as a quick and easy way to fight inflammation, boost your immune system and lose weight.
While they do provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, they aren’t the most complete way to get those nutrients. Plus, if you have sensitive stomachs or a compromised digestive tract, it’s hard to digest the added sugar in most wellness shots.
Ultimately, you’re better off consuming healthy foods and relying on supplements to give you the nutrients your body needs. The antioxidants in apple cider vinegar and ginger, for instance, are well-known for their health benefits.