Health Benefits of Lemon & Apple Cider Vinegar for Metabolism, Weight Loss & Wellness

What if we were to tell you that there is a drink we can make in the comfort of our own home which is packed with benefits to our health? Well, it can stimulate our digestive function, give our liver a good cleansing, boost our metabolism, and aid any weight-loss goals we might have, and it’s even good for our skin. On top of all that, it’s not hard to make! But keep in mind that this drink is supposed to help us lose weight, not make it magically disappear. That means we should drink it while also eating healthy, it’s a winning combination that can’t fail. We see no reason to keep you on the edges of your seats any longer, so here is the recipe.

Recipe for the Marvelous Morning Drink

What we do is add the juice of ½ lemon and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass or mug. Now just add some filtered warm water. Make sure to drink this first thing in the morning before having any breakfast, no different than a cup of coffee or tea. The main thing is it should be on an empty stomach. Also, be sure to wait at least a quarter of an hour before consuming anything else, whether it's food or just water. It’s fair to give you a warning that it has a rather tangy and bitter taste to it and might not suit everyone’s taste buds. But we strongly advise you to try and get used to it since the health benefits well outweigh any bad taste. And after you’ve already created a routine for yourself, chances are you won’t even notice how the drink tastes anymore. Nothing stronger out there than a habit. It might as well be a good one. It may seem like an overly simple potion but believe us, these two super-ingredients will make up for it since both are bursting with health-improving abilities.

ACV and Lemon – A Power combo

Did you know that before the creation of blood glucose-lowering medication, people used apple cider vinegar as a home treatment for hyperglycemia? In fact, ACV has been used as a home remedy for many things, not just this. This is thanks to its natural antiviral and antibacterial properties. It also has alkaline abilities, contains lots of minerals, can lower both our cholesterol and blood pressure, and even regulate our blood sugar levels! It’s also a great candidate for restoring the good bacteria in our gut, as well as giving our immune system a well-needed boost. As for lemons, they contain polyphenols and flavonoids which have a strong antioxidant capability. Thanks to the high levels of Vitamin C they contain, it also gives them the right to boast about their antiviral and antibacterial abilities. And do we even need to mention they are natural immunity boosters too? But they are also packed with other vitamins and minerals, calcium, and magnesium, and can be used as natural cleansers. But other than just mentioning all the benefits they can offer, let’s take a deeper look at them, one at a time.

Help With the Digestive Process

If we just so happen to be in the process of cleansing and losing weight, there is a big chance that we’ve started this process with a body that is out of balance and metabolism which is in desperate need of some boosting. Our digestive system, from our mouth down, is where our metabolism starts. So it’s no wonder that our digestive system is so important for improving our metabolism. Can’t fix one without the other. Our digestive system not only eliminates toxins and extracts nutrients but also helps us effectively metabolize any food we take in. However, if one consumes too many processed foods and is on an unhealthy diet in general, then the digestive system is the one that suffers the most. It can become inhibited and not function properly. Here’s where this simple drink can help, starting with the stimulation of the salivary juices inside our mouths. It also stimulates the digestive enzymes inside our gut. We’d be wise to give a helping hand to these enzymes since thousands of them are working hard around the clock to digest our food effectively. This drink also stimulates the bowel so in case we suffer from constipation, it’s definitely something that can help.

Giving our Immunity a Boost

Remember the enzymes? Of course, you do, we just mentioned them. Well, apple cider vinegar is brimming with both those helpful enzymes and beneficial bacteria, something our gut can always have more of. After all, there is no shortage of studies that prove just how vital it is to have healthy gut bacteria. For example, did you know that as much as 70% of our immunity starts with these good bacteria? It makes sense when we consider that our gut is the first contact that our body has with the outside world. These beneficial bacteria are the ones who do all the sorting between what’s good and what is not. But if these bacteria become unbalanced, they can end up letting more of the bad stuff in than they normally should. Any inflammation becomes increased, and our immune system doesn’t function as well as it should. What to do in that case? Most of us have probably already heard that, for improving our gut's health, probiotics are the way to go. Well, it just so happens that apple cider vinegar, which is a fermented food source, acts as a natural probiotic. ACV is even beneficial for getting rid of heartburn or reflux and also promotes our stomach’s acid production.

Great for Reducing Insulin and Blood Glucose

We already mentioned that, before any hypoglycemic agents were produced and marketed, people with diabetes consumed vinegar ‘tea’ on a regular basis in order to keep their blood sugar levels in check. And if we can manage to regulate those levels then we also have less production of insulin. In simple terms, insulin is the hormone that stores fat and pushes any surplus glucose out of your bloodstream. But then where does it go? It’s stored as fat, of course. And here lies the problem. So, whether one has diabetes or not, reducing one’s glucose levels also reduces one’s fat storage. Biochemistry 101.

Cleanses and Detoxifies the Liver

The liver is an extremely important organ, and yet, many people with diabetes have something called a fatty liver. And since your liver plays such a vital role in metabolizing nutrients, getting it in tip-top shape is a must. Well, this lemon-ACV drink helps cleanse your liver of any toxins which may be lurking in there. It also stimulates the proper functioning of our liver in general. This includes increasing the liver’s function in metabolizing fat.

Metabolism Booster and Weight-Loss Aid

There are many studies that praise lemon for the flavonoids it contains since they help with the regulation of cholesterol and fatty acid. They can also have a positive effect on gene expression when it comes to the enzymes which regulate our glucose. Forbes, these flavonoids found in lemon reduce any fat or cholesterol in our liver. In this particular study conducted on mice, weight accumulation is naturally lowered by the flavonoids found in lemons.

Helps Reduce Any Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress may be causing changes and damage to certain cells in our body. It can also lead to complications involving diabetes. Well in this one study conducted on rats, it was discovered that hesperidin and eriocitrin, both antioxidant flavonoids contained in lemons, naturally reduce oxidative stress. And last but not least, it even improves our skin’s general health. Because once everything is working properly on the inside, the overall glow our skin gets is only a natural plus.

Lastly, here are Some Helpful Tips

We can use lime instead of lemon since it shares many of the same qualities. As for ACV, it can’t really be replaced with anything. But if you find you cannot stomach it no matter how much you’ve tried, you can opt for skipping the ACV and just drinking freshly squeezed lemon combined with lukewarm water. And yes, it works best if they are fresh lemons, and drinking them with cold water is not as beneficial. We can also add a pinch of cinnamon or ginger for even greater benefits. One more thing. It’s advisable to drink this with a straw since, as healthy as lemons are, they have been known to affect the tooth’s enamel in some individuals. Better stay on the safe side, as there is such a thing as ‘too much of a good thing’. Well, there you have it, folks. Enjoy starting your day with this marvelous beverage! Source: Diabetes Meal Plans