If you are like most people, chances are you always start your morning with a warm cup of coffee. However, due to its high caffeine content, long-term or high coffee consumption has been associated with some side effects. What if, for the next seven days, you go for something healthier that’s good for your gut and your overall health. If you will make this healthy change, below are some healthy drinks you can try depending on what you prefer.
- Lemon Water
Lemon water has a lot of proven health benefits and is the easiest to prepare. You only need a warm glass of water, and a lemon. If you choose to sweeten it up, you can add a spoon of lemon.
Drinking lemon water in the morning is an excellent way to hydrate your body after several hours of sleep. Lemon is an excellent source of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. Lemon juice also contains citric acid, which may help prevent kidney stones. The National kidney foundation recommends mixing Lemon juice concentrate (4 oz per day) with water alongside prescription medication for people with kidney stone. Research has also shown that the citric acid in lemon juice can improve the secretion of gastric juices and promote digestion.
- Garlic water
Researchers have shown that garlic is a superfood with medicinal properties. Having garlic water on an empty stomach can benefit you in so many ways. Garlic can boost your immune system and reduce the severity of a common cold. A comprehensive review of health benefits of garlic in human intervention studies highlights garlic as a promising agent for preventing and treating several conditions. These include cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Other effects include antihypertensive, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, lipid lowering, and antioxidant properties.
Just take 2 cloves of garlic and chop it into tiny pieces, put it in a cup. Then add warm water. You can add a squeeze of lemon juice and honey to sweeten it up and add to the benefits.
- Apple cider vinegar
Some studies show that the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar may suppress appetite and may help in weight management. Apple cider vinegar has also been reported to lower blood glucose levels. While some studies have also reported antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against several bacteria and candida albicans.
In order to get the benefits of apple cider vinegar, just add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water. You can choose to mix it with a teaspoon of honey.
- Aloe vera juice
Aloe vera is traditionally recommended to help heal burns, wounds and other skin conditions due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, Aloe Vera has numerous health benefits and can be helpful in other conditions as well.
A randomized controlled trial reported that aloe Vera juice can help blood sugar and blood fatty acid levels in people with pre-diabetes. Aloe Vera juice may also help with digestive issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
You can make Aloe Vera juice from a fresh Aloe Vera leaf. Just cut the leaf in half and use a spoon to extract the clear Aloe Vera gel, then blend it. Put in a glass, then add water to the glass. You can also add a teaspoon of honey and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Ginger and cinnamon tea
Studies report that both cinnamon and ginger have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which can help fight free radicals. Studies also report that cinnamon may lower blood sugar and bad cholesterol levels. The major compound in ginger (gingerol) has been associated with the medicinal properties of ginger. These include alleviation of pain and arthritis, antimicrobial and fungal properties. Ginger is also be effective against nausea and may help reduce the fight a common cold.
Just boil a cup of water and add a teaspoon of grated ginger. Let it simmer for 5 minutes, then add 1/2 a teaspoon of cinnamon. You can also choose to add honey and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Written by Melania Laurent
Sources
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28438661/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/lemon
https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones_prevent
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35013789/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35013789/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11697022/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7402177/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1756464618300483?via%3Dihub
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16015276/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788933/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30666070/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26405698/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26742306/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22536283/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9654013/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22536283/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S106345841401276X
https://www.medwelljournals.com/abstract/?doi=ijmmas.2005.411.417
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7019938/
- Ginger and cinnamon tea
Studies show that both ginger and cinnamon have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can help with a variety of health conditions. Ginger is known to help relieve bloating and have gastroprotective effects. Research has also reported that cinnamon and ginger may lower blood pressure, blood glucose and bad cholesterol levels. This remedy can also improve your immune system and help you with a common cold.
To prepare this tea, you just need to boil one cup of water together with a piece of grated ginger. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes. Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder, then strain the tea. Squeeze lemon juice and add a teaspoon of honey will add up to the health benefits.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water. You can also add a teaspoon of honey.
