With the flu making its rounds and it seems to have hit or been hitting several people I know, I have been making sure to “up my game”. Along with taking higher doses of Vitamin D, getting sun on morning walks when it decides to come out. Trying to get a solid 8 hours of sleep and avoid anything that not only lowers immunity but speeds aging. As I do believe that prevention is the key to keeping the body and immune system strong with healthy habits and nourishing the only body that we are given.
I pour 16-18 oz of spring water in a blender, Vitamix is my favorite, and add all ingredients to blend well and will drink 4-6oz on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.
Starting spring water, whole organic lemon, organic lime, Braggs apple cider vinegar, organic cayenne pepper, Organic Ceylon cinnamon, ginger and camu camu—a powerful mixture that offers a variety of health benefits, thanks to the nutrient-dense properties of each ingredient. Below I break down the health benefits and nutrient content of the individual ingredients, followed by a combined view of the whole blend.
1 whole organic lemon
1 whole organic lime
*if your not using organic than peel them, yet the peel has a lot of added health properties
1” piece of ginger peeled
Dash of cinnamon (1/2 tsp)
Dash of cayenne pepper less than 1/2 tsp
2 TBSP Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
If you really want to up your game
Camu camu powder
1 Organic Lemon, with skin
•Nutrient Content:
•Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that helps boost immunity, protect skin, and combat oxidative stress.
•Flavonoids: Antioxidants that fight inflammation and free radicals.
•Fiber (Pectin): Supports digestion and helps regulate blood sugar.
•Health Benefits:
•Immune Support: High in vitamin C, helping strengthen the immune system.
•Digestive Health: Stimulates bile production, supporting the digestion of fats and relieving constipation.
•Detoxification: Lemon helps flush toxins out of the body, supporting liver health.
•Skin Health: Vitamin C promotes collagen production, improving skin elasticity and appearance.
1 Organic Lime-with skin on
•Nutrient Content:
•Vitamin C: Similar to lemon, lime is a great source of this essential nutrient.
•Flavonoids: Offers potent antioxidants for inflammation reduction.
•Fiber: Contains soluble fiber that supports gut health.
•Health Benefits:
•Immune Boost: High vitamin C content, supporting the immune system.
•Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation in the body, which can help with conditions like arthritis.
•Digestive Health: Cinnamon can help soothe the digestive tract and reduce bloating.
•Heart Health: Helps improve cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
1 TBSP Camu Camu Powder
•Nutrient Content:
•Vitamin C: Camu camu is one of the richest sources of vitamin C, containing 30 to 60 times more vitamin C than an orange.
•Antioxidants: Rich in flavonoids and anthocyanins, which fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
•Amino Acids: Provides essential amino acids that support tissue repair and immune function.
•Health Benefits:
•Immune Boosting: High in vitamin C, camu camu strengthens the immune system.
•Anti-inflammatory: Helps reduce inflammation in the body and protects against chronic diseases.
•Skin Health: Vitamin C promotes collagen production, improving skin elasticity and appearance.
•Cognitive Function: Antioxidants in camu camu may improve brain health and support mood.
•1” piece of organic ginger root
• Ginger root is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, thanks to compounds like gingerol, which help reduce inflammation and improve circulation. Ginger also has antimicrobial and antiviral properties, helping the body fight off infections, including those that affect the respiratory
Combined Health Benefits of the Entire Blend (10 oz)
1.Immune System Support: The high vitamin C content from lemon, lime, and camu camu helps boost the immune system, potentially reducing the severity of colds and infections.
2.Digestive Health: Apple cider vinegar and the citrus fruits aid in digestion, reducing bloating, improving gut health, and promoting regular bowel movements. Cayenne pepper also stimulates digestive enzymes.
3.Detoxification & Hydration: This blend helps detoxify the body, especially through the liver-supportive effects of lemon, lime, and apple cider vinegar, while also hydrating the body thanks to spring water.
4.Weight Management: Cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar can help with weight loss by promoting fat burning, increasing metabolism, and reducing appetite.
5.Anti-Inflammatory: The combined anti-inflammatory properties of cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and camu camu may reduce systemic inflammation and help alleviate conditions like arthritis or general body pain.
6.Skin Health: Vitamin C-rich ingredients like lemon, lime, and camu camu support collagen production and healthy, youthful skin by reducing oxidative damage and promoting elasticity.
7.Heart Health: The combination of cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and apple cider vinegar may help lower cholesterol, improve circulation, and reduce blood pressure, supporting overall cardiovascular health.
8.Blood Sugar Control: Apple cider vinegar and cinnamon may help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, making this blend useful for managing type 2 diabetes or blood sugar spikes.
Conclusion
This nutrient-packed blend combines hydrating spring water with a powerful mix of immune-boosting, digestive-aiding, anti-inflammatory, and metabolism-boosting ingredients. It’s an excellent choice for promoting overall health, detoxification, weight management, and skin care. However, it’s essential to note that the acidity of lemon, lime, and apple cider vinegar may irritate sensitive stomachs, so if you have conditions like acid reflux, be cautious or consult a healthcare professional before regular consumption.