Introduction

Getting your hands on powerful, antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory drinks doesn’t require a trip to the local wellness shop or spending lots of money on ingredients. You can make potent anti-inflammatory drinks at home with wholesome ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. 

These 9 drinks contain a variety of free radical-fighting antioxidants to help your body fight inflammation, while also supporting your day-to-day wellness. From juices to smoothies, teas to tonics, there are plenty of ways to add these nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich drinks to your day. Simply explore your kitchen to see what ingredients you have on hand, find a recipe that piques your interest, and start taste testing to experience the anti-inflammatory benefits. 

9 Anti-Inflammatory Drinks

1. Golden-Glow Pineapple Turmeric Smoothie 

Jar of Lemons

If you’re looking for a smoothie that is tropical, creamy, and high in anti-inflammatory antioxidants, look no further. This pineapple turmeric smoothie packs a punch with its vibrant color and high daily dose of vitamin C. While we know turmeric steals the show when it comes to its anti-inflammatory properties, the coconut milk and pineapple balances out this drink, creating a refreshing smoothie perfect for those warmer days. 

Ingredients: banana, frozen pineapple, coconut milk, ground turmeric 

2. Anti-Inflammatory Morning Tonic

Key Nutrition

Keep things simple with this four-ingredient morning tonic that is sure to wake you up with its tart taste and natural probiotic properties. Apple cider vinegar has a number of vitamins and antioxidants that makes it a great go-to for inflammatory symptoms like joint pain and joint stiffness. It may even help reduce blood sugar spikes when consumed before meals. Start your mornings with just a small tablespoon of this tonic in a glass of warm water to aid your body in the management of oxidative and inflammatory stressors. 

Ingredients: apple cider vinegar, turmeric root, ginger root, lemon

3. Anti-Inflammatory Tea

Calm Moment

Not another turmeric tea! This multi-herb tea gives turmeric a break by harnessing the health properties of herbs that we don’t often think of when it comes to fighting inflammation. Blend these dry herbs together for a simple, relaxing tea that will reduce inflammation brought on by physical activity. Feel free to make this into an iced tea to get a boost of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits on even the hottest days. 

Ingredients: lemon balm, lemon verbena, hibiscus, calendula, meadowsweet, rose petals, filtered water

4. Anti-Inflammatory Blueberry Smoothie 

Lemons + Zest 

A creative mix of anti-inflammatory fruits and spices, all blended up to give you the flavorful kick you need in an afternoon snack. With just the right combination of sweet from the fruit, spicy from the cinnamon and cayenne, savory from the almond butter, and nutrient density from the spinach and maca, this creamy smoothie is anything but boring. Plus, the star of the smoothie, blueberries, are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium, making this drink a fantastic choice for staving off inflammation.

Ingredients: blueberries, frozen banana, spinach or leafy greens, almond butter, almond milk, cinnamon, cayenne, maca powder

5. Sugar-Free Spiced Chai Latte

The Castaway Kitchen

Creamy, spicy, and void of excess sugar, this chai latte was created by The Castaway Kitchen owner (and WellTheory NTP!) Cristina! It tastes delicious but thankfully doesn’t have all the unnecessary sweeteners most chai lattes from your average coffee shop do. The warming combination of chai tea and cinnamon in this drink will make you think of cooler days while it boosts circulation and supports your body in fighting inflammation. Be mindful that chai does contain caffeine, so consume this drink when you are ready for an extra boost of energy. 

Ingredients: dairy free milk, chai blend tea, filtered water, ghee or coconut oil, cinnamon, salt, raw honey or stevia glycerite

6. Anti-Inflammatory Green Juice

Dr. Axe 

To know Dr. Axe is to love Dr. Axe. This green juice recipe comes straight from Dr. Axe’s blog about all things natural medicine and functional nutrition. This particular anti-inflammatory green juice is high in vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, folate, iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc — all from just 7 ingredients. If you’re looking for that extra spark of vitality that comes from fresh-pressed juice, try adding this recipe to your juicing rotation.

Ingredients: celery, cucumber, pineapple, green apple, spinach, lemon, ginger root

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7. Anti-Inflammatory Bone Broth

Whole Bite Good Healthy Food

Bone broth is not only anti-inflammatory but great for gut health, digestion, immune health, joint health, and sleep. Bone broth is made from boiling animal bones and connective tissue with vegetables and spices, resulting in a nourishing liquid stock that is rich in collagen, calcium, iron, and potassium. Just because you are making bone broth doesn’t mean you have to turn it into soup! Strain out the vegetables and spices so you can sip on it anytime of day. It may just become your favorite savory, warm drink. 

Ingredients: roasting chicken, yellow onion, carrots, celery stalk, garlic cloves, parsley, thyme, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, filtered water

8. Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tea (Golden Milk)

Elizabeth Rider

This drink does have turmeric, but it is so much more than just a tea — it’s a latte. A traditional drink in Ayurveda (India’s natural system of medicine), golden milk is beloved for its medicinal properties, mostly thanks to the turmeric. When you combine turmeric with full fat coconut milk, a handful of spices, and just the right amount of honey, the result is a beautiful, frothy yellow drink that helps fight inflammation and digestive issues. With no caffeine involved, this alternative latte can be a go-to morning or evening. 

Ingredients: coconut milk, ground turmeric, ginger root, black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, raw honey

9. Anti-Inflammatory Juice for Joint Pain

Our Plant-Based World 

Looking to alleviate occasional joint pain and find a healthy alternative to inflammation management? This juice contains just 5 ingredients that are known for their healing properties, and you can find them all at your local grocery store — no fancy fruits or herbs here. You can expect this juice to come fresh out of your juicer with a rich orange hue thanks to the presence of carrots, a tangy taste due to the pineapple and lemon, and just the slightest kick from ginger. Don’t have joint pain? No problem! This juice is high in the antioxidants all of us can use a little more of. 

Ingredients: pineapple, celery, carrots, lemon, ginger root

The Bottom Line on Anti-Inflammatory Drinks

Making anti-inflammatory drinks at home doesn’t have to break the bank. Consider what ingredients you already have in your kitchen, and go from there. Even adding a few of these anti-inflammatory drinks into your week can result in increased antioxidants, decreased inflammation, and increased vitamins and minerals in your body! Any anti-inflammatory drink is a step in the right direction as it allows us to shift our lifestyle choices and take action to reclaim our health. 

Consuming anti-inflammatory healthy drinks to support you on the occasional flare-up days can certainly make getting through those days easier. However, it is important to acknowledge that any time our body experiences inflammation, it is a sign that something needs to be addressed with our time and attention. If you are ready to dive into using food as medicine, learn more about anti-inflammatory foods and how you can get guidance and support from WellTheory's Certified Nutritionists and Registered Dietitians to manage your inflammation and autoimmune symptoms.