Discover the powerful benefits of detox water and how it can enhance your overall wellness. From improving hydration to flushing out toxins, detox water is an easy and delicious way to support your health and boost your energy levels.
It's my birthday this month; for many of you, it is holiday time. I don't eat that much rich food or drink much alcohol these days, but for my birthday, I do like to indulge a little. I feel the best I have in my life, and I've just turned 52. The key is balancing your mind and body and taking a holistic approach.
Since we are all identically different, I developed our Rejuv 7 Pillars of Wellness as a road map for your bespoke wellness journey. You can take our Free Wellness Quiz here to determine the top 3 focus areas to scale up your health.
Holiday Drinks & Foods Alter The Gut Microbiome
Life is all about balance, and since the holiday season often means indulging in rich foods and festive drinks, these can take a toll on your gut and liver. The gut is your first port of call, and alcohol and rich foods have a wide-ranging effect on the stomach and liver. They alter the gut microbiome, barrier function, and immune function, resulting in liver inflammation, fibrosis, and even cirrhosis.
The liver detoxifies harmful substances, metabolises fats, and processes alcohol. Hence, your gut and liver need support on weekends, holidays, or any time you fancy letting your hair down.
So what is my number one holiday hack so you can have our cake and eat it too? My DETOX WATER.
Support Your Gut & Liver With Detox Water
Of course, moderation is essential, but I choose to be wise and drink my Detox Water to support my gut and liver, making it easy for them to handle a few fun foods and drinks, especially for holidays and special occasions.
This simple yet powerful drink is a great way to boost your health and support your body's natural detoxification processes.
Optimum Ingredient Mix For Your Detox Water
This straightforward recipe takes only minutes to prepare. It includes critical natural detoxification and cleansing ingredients, including lemon juice, apple cider vinegar (ACV), ginger, cinnamon and cayenne pepper.
- Lemon juice helps reduce inflammation and regulate pH levels. Drinking lemon water helps boost energy levels, detoxify the body, keep skin glowing, and improve immune function. Lemons are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which may help support the liver's detoxification processes. They also have a diuretic effect, which can help flush out toxins from the body through urine.
- Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which may help improve liver function and support digestion. It may also help regulate blood sugar levels, benefiting overall health and detoxification.
- Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation in the body, which can contribute to detoxification. It also has digestive benefits that may help support the liver and other organs involved in detoxification.
- Cinnamon has antioxidant properties that may help reduce oxidative stress in the body. It may also help regulate blood sugar levels to improve health and detoxification.
- Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which may help boost metabolism and promote sweating. Sweating allows the body to eliminate toxins through the skin.
Cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and ginger contain healing compounds that help reduce inflammation, support digestion, and boost metabolism, helping you stay strong and lean.
Add Potent Benefits With Raw Honey
Raw honey is an optional ingredient for your detox drink. I like to add manuka honey to many of my health drinks and detox smoothie recipes because it's nutrient-dense, antimicrobial, and fungal, helping support a healthy immune system and gut microbiome.
Here are some ways in which raw Manuka honey may benefit natural detoxification:
- Antibacterial properties: Raw Manuka honey contains a compound called methylglyoxal (MGO), which has potent antibacterial properties. These antibacterial properties help reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the gut, which can support overall digestive health and detoxification.
- Antioxidant properties: Raw Manuka honey also contains antioxidants that can help protect against oxidative stress, which can contribute to cellular damage and ageing. These antioxidants may help support the liver's detoxification processes.
- Prebiotic properties: Raw Manuka honey contains prebiotics, which help feed the beneficial bacteria in the gut, improve gut health and support overall detoxification.
- Anti-inflammatory properties: Raw Manuka honey has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation. Chronic inflammation can contribute to various health issues, including impaired detoxification.
It's important to note that while raw Manuka honey may benefit natural detoxification, it should be consumed in moderation as it is high in sugar. Being mindful of your consumption is essential to enjoying its benefits without overindulging.
Detox Water Proportions
- 1.5 - 2L of filtered water
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar ACV (or if you want to protect the enamel on your teeth, swap out for one Rejuv Apple Cider Burn capsule to get all the benefits but no downside)
- One tablespoon of lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon or add 1-2 fresh cinnamon sticks
- One pinch of cayenne pepper
- One teaspoon of raw manuka or wild local honey (optional)
- Fresh mint and sliced cucumber to garnish if desired
I make up a 1.5-2 L glass jug daily and drink 3 x 500ml to support detox and blood sugar regulation. Add a little ice to make it a long, cool drink.
Detox Water Instructions
- Mix the water with lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper.
- Depending on the time of the year, you can have this cool or warm, but generally, the gut doesn't like super cold icy drinks.
- I recommend drinking our Rejuv Detox Water three times daily, about 60 minutes before meals, but never in large quantities with meals, as it reduces stomach acids and digestion.
In addition to the Rejuv Detox Water, I always travel with our Rejuv Party Pack for optimum Gut, Liver, Immune and Blood Sugar Support. This pack is a comprehensive solution to support your health during the holidays.
After the holidays, I cleanse a little with our Rejuv Detox Packs and Protocols. We designed these packs and protocols to support detoxification further, helping you reset and start the new year on a healthy note.
BONUS HEALTH HACKS
- Opt for bigger lunches rather than dinners, giving you more time to digest a heavier meal.
- Chew each mouthful 20 times & put your cutlery down to support your Gut-Brain Axis.
- Choose whole foods cooked locally at a restaurant over junk processed foods from fast food chains.
- When choosing alcohol, make sure you have a glass of water on the go at the same time or opt for a Rosé wine spritzer (rosé is made from the skin and the fruit, unlike white wine). Red wine and champagne are the best types due to the fermented polyphenols, but due to pesticide spraying, choose organic or biodynamic wine. The best is to limit to 6 ounces (170ml) for women, and men can double that.
- If you prefer spirits, the latest research shows that dark spirits aged in wood casks are best for your gut due to the polyphenols absorbed from the wood. A portion is 30ml for women and around 60ml for men and avoid sugary mixers. Opt for potato vodka, gin, or tequila if you prefer a light spirit.
- If it's a special occasion and you plan to indulge, add synergistic herbs like those in our Liver Support and Digestive Support capsules or take our Party Pack as per above.
As always, balance is the key, so have fun and enjoy yourself, but support your digestion and detox pathways. Hence, your gut and liver will still feel loved when you want to enjoy some yummy treats!
Detox water benefits go beyond just hydration; they include improved health and wellness. Try incorporating detox water into your daily routine and experience the refreshing difference.
REMEMBER to take our Free Wellness Quiz here to determine the top THREE areas to focus on to scale up your health.
