We must say, this drink happens to pack some of our favorite ingredients (lemons—if you haven’t seen our article about why this is one of the best weight loss foods, click here), grapefruits, which we’ve been eating since we were kids-despite our picky palate back then!) and Apple Cider Vinegar, aka ACV, which we’ll tell you more about below, as well as how this drink also works to boost energy, suppress appetite, aid in weight loss and simply tastes yummy!

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How does it help your body in it’s natural detox process?

Keep in mind that when your body is in overdrive and constantly inflamed from alcohol, refined sugars and grains, processed foods and the chemicals in it, as well as the inflammation created from stress, not sleeping enough and pollution, your body’s inflammatory response has to work overtime to keep you healthy.  This is a lot of work for your immune system and having to work this hard all of the time can wear down your immune system and can lead to colds and flus to chronic health conditions.  Plus, when you’re feeling run down, you’re less likely to focus on making healthy eating choices and on exercising, so it can become a downward spiral. It’s a challenge for your body to operate at its’ best when your immune system is constantly being challenged.  To combat this damage, they key is to focus on anti-inflammatory foods (like lemons, grapefruits, mint and apple cider vinegar, just like in this drink! – as well as fresh produce, pulses and anti-inflammatory herbs and spices) and ingredients that help to fight inflammation, flush toxins, restore your immunity and recharge your body.

Lemon and Grapefruit (Hello, team citrus!):

All citrus fruit is packed with vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that not only helps to give your immune system a boost, but it also helps to mop up free radicals (hello, natural detox!) caused by everyday living (think: stress, pollution, a poor diet, cigarette smoke, alcoholic beverages) and rid the body of toxins, while also keeping inflammation at bay.

Lemons help to promote the activity of a liver enzyme that converts toxic substances to less harsh chemicals. Thanks to its d-limonene, lemons helps the liver!  Their vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals.  Lemons are also helpful in keeping the skin youthful and elastic, thanks to their vitamin C, which helps boost collagen.

Grapefruit (and lemons too) are the ideal “flushing” food–packed with potassium and water to restore normal fluid balance and flush out any bloating salt that may be causing you to store water and puffiness.

Fun Fact:  When we used to live together, we’d split a grapefruit and an orange daily to get the benefits of both fruits—and we loved them both and couldn’t make up our mind about which we wanted to have, so getting some of each made the decision a cinch! 😉  (We’re thinking we should move back in together and do it again, although our significant others may not be as excited about that as we would be! :))

How does it work to help with a flat belly?

This baby is mainly water, and if you’re like most people, you don’t drink enough.  But this drink is light, refreshing and tasty and encourages you to keep sipping—and this is one key to your flat-belly!  Without enough water, it’s even more of a strain for your body to balance out the salt in the diet from salty snacks, restaurant meals—or even extra salt that comes in when you aren’t eating as well as you’d like, etc..  Most of our friends and family tell us they qualify—and we know that when we eat many meals out its’ more difficult to avoid the salt and we’ll feel especially puffy!  Your body likes salt to be at a very particular concentration in the body and if you eat too much of it, your body holds on to water to dilute the salt.  This, friends, is when you feel swollen, puffy and bloated.  And no one wants that!

• By drinking plenty of water, you’ll stay hydrated and you’ll flush excess sodium and waste, so you’ll feel free, light and energized. The water will also help you to get a flat belly (yay!) as it pushes waste out of your colon.  So you can kiss goodbye to constipation and the unsightly gut bulges and discomfort that goes along with it.
• Plus, lemons and grapefruits are a great source of potassium, which helps to prevent water retention by regulating sodium levels in your body (i.e.–minimize salt-induced bloating so that you can de-puff!).

Mint:

Have an upset stomach? Indigestion?  Mint may help!  We think of mint as a peacemaker in the body. It soothes the stomach and eases indigestion possibly by improving the flow of bile through the stomach, which helps to speed and improve digestion. It contains the anti-inflammatory antioxidant rosmarinic acid, so it can help with bloat and indigestion. Hooray!

In what other ways can this drink help with weight loss?

Apple cider vinegar (ACV):

Apple cider vinegar has so many benefits—and you may remember it from our Rise & Shine Smoothie. Research shows that ACV may be the small edge you’re looking for to help to control your weight.

You’ve probably heard that apple cider vinegar can help you to lose weight. Small amounts before a meal may help lower your blood sugar. It seems that acetic acid, the main component in vinegar, may interfere with the body’s ability to digest starch; less starch being broken down into calories in the bloodstream could mean a little less fat on your body over time.

It doesn’t take much vinegar for the benefits—just about two teaspoons.

Although more research is needed, as long as you don’t have trouble digesting foods that are high in acid, you have nothing to lose by giving it a try!

NOTE: Keep in mind that consuming too much acetic acid can hurt your throat. A tablespoon of vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water and taken before a meal is a safe dose. Go for this delish g’mornin smoothie to get a dose of ACV (and some delicious and wholesome nutrient-packed foods!)!

Apple Cider Vinegar Lemon “Detox” Drink

This drink has the perfect combination of  “de-puffing” ingredients to keep off the bloat and make you feel light, refreshed and incredible!

Makes 3 servings

Ingredients:

24 oz. water

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1/2 lemon, preferably organic as the peel is included

½ large pink grapefruit

4-5 Mint leaves (or more if you like)

Directions:

1. Slice the lime and cut the grapefruit into quarters.
2. Fill a large pitcher or jar with 24 ounces (3 cups) of water.
3. Add the apple cider vinegar to the water and stir.
4. Then add the lime, grapefruit, and mint leaves to the water. Lightly stir the entire mixture.
5. Put the detox water in the refrigerator for at least two hours, or even let it sit over night. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Without fruit: 2 Calories, 0 g fat, 0 g carbohydrate, 0 g protein, 0 g fiber, 0 mg sodium

With fruit:  25 Calories, 0 g fat,  6 g carbohydrate, 0 g protein, 2 g fiber, 0 mg sodium

If you struggle with unwanted belly fat, or with digestive issues such as bloat, IBS, or SIBO,

you don’t need to suffer!

We can help!

 Contact us to learn about our 1:1 Nutrition coaching.