Gluten-Free, Raw, Vegan

This morning drink mixture helps your cleanse and detox your liver, reduce inflammation, rev your metabolism, support digestion, boost your immune system and alkalize your blood for better health. ACV = the incredible apple cider vinegar.

Ingredients

1 large glass filtered water
½ lemon, juiced
1-2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar (ACV)
1 Tbsp. MCT oil
1 tsp. black pepper
2-3 tsp turmeric (powdered or fresh grated)

Nutrition Tips

I have been a longtime fan of ACV and lemon water first thing in the morning. I used to have a bad reaction to turmeric, but just recently started adding this superfood back in. Thanks to my friend and knowledgeable foodie Kacie, I now add MCT oil and black pepper.

Tips for the best ingredients: Use organic turmeric powder or get fresh turmeric and grate it. Choose raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar (I like Bragg’s brand).

What do all the ingredients do?

• ACV is a must-have for many reasons. It acts like stomach acid and encourages the secretion of gastric juices to help you digest food more easily and absorb nutrients better. ACV helps reduce the impact of starches on your blood sugar and is even thought to turn on certain genes involved in breaking down fats. Many people find when they drink ACV in water with meals, they feel full faster and eat less. ACV is effective for many with heartburn and acid reflux, in place of antacids (learn more). Acupuncture is also effective for improving digestion and treating conditions like GERD or heartburn.

• MCT oil is “medium chain triglyceride” oil and is similar to coconut oil. Both contain lauric and caprylic acids which are antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial. They are shown to kill yeast, which makes them great for most modern humans who eat way too much sugar, causing systemic internal yeast imbalances (yeast feeds on sugar). MCT oil is used as fast burning energy, making it great for a boost, and for weight-loss. One study showed women consuming 2TB of MCTs a day had less abdominal fat than those who did not. The main difference is that MCT oil has been processed to stay liquid which makes it easier to add to water, whereas coconut oil is solid. Coconut oil has more lauric acid and is wonderful to cook with, use as a mouthwash, use as a skin moisturizer, and add to recipes. Lauric acid increases good HDL cholesterol and helps thyroid function.

• Turmeric is a superfood. Perhaps the most potent food you can eat for its anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin, the active substance in turmeric is a powerful anti-oxidant. It helps the body fight cell oxidation which is believed to be the leading cause of aging and disease. Curcumin boosts levels of the brain hormone BDNF, a type of growth hormone. Low levels of BDNF are linked to Alzheimers and depression. It also improves endothelium function. The endothelium is the lining of your blood vessels, and endothelium dysfunction is one factor in heart disease and stroke. Studies have shown that it can reduce angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels in tumors), metastasis (the spread of cancer), as well as contribute to the death of cancerous cells. Most of the studies on turmeric involve a very high dosage of curcumin which you won’t get from a few teaspoons of turmeric (around 3% curcumin). If you are fighting chronic disease, you should take a curcumin extract with black pepper. Turmeric tea is another great option!

• Cracked black pepper boosts the bioavailability ( the ability of your body to absorb) of the curcumin (the antioxidant part) of turmeric by 2000%. Black pepper also stimulates hydrochloric acid (stomach acid) to improve digestion. It is an antioxidant and antibacterial.

• Lemon juice astringes and cleanses. It helps support all the functions of ACV while giving you some Vitamin C, fighting free radicals with its antioxidant punch. Lemon helps lower stroke risk, fight cancer, and boost immunity.

Learn More

• Turmeric and lemon are full of healthy flavonoids. Read more about flavonoids.
• Research on Turmeric.
• This is a great first step in Changing the Way You Eat.
• This helps your liver detox. Read more about Signs of Liver Imbalance.
• Research on Apple Cider Vinegar.
• Benefits of Caprylic Acid.