Health shots have been all the rage
for some time now, but what’s in your shot matters. If you stop by your
local juice counter, you may end up with unwanted additives in your
shot, or shots made from less-than-fresh ingredients.
Luckily, it’s super easy to make your
own delicious and nutritious healthy shots at home. Though there are
many types of wonderful shots you can come up with, one simple and
effective option has only two superfood ingredients: ginger and lemon.
Both
ginger and lemon are amazingly healthy on their own. Together, they can
really pack a powerful punch. Here’s why you may want to consider
scheduling a ginger lemon shot into your day.
Ginger: An ancient anti-inflammatory
Ginger, a rhizome used in many
traditional medicines throughout the world for thousands of years, has
long been know to be a potent fighter against chronic inflammation. On the subject, the authors of a 2005 article published in the Journal of Medicinal Food wrote:
“The anti-inflammatory properties of
ginger have been known and valued for centuries. During the past 25
years, many laboratories have provided scientific support for the
long-held belief that ginger contains constituents with
anti-inflammatory properties.”
The study authors also added:
“The original discovery of ginger’s
inhibitory effects on prostaglandin biosynthesis in the early 1970s has
been repeatedly confirmed. This discovery identified ginger as an herbal
medicinal product that shares pharmacological properties with
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.”
Because of these potent
anti-inflammatory properties, consuming ginger on a regular basis can
help to ward off many diseases with inflammation at their core. It may
also help to alleviate chronic pain.
So, whether you have sore joints and muscles after exercising, or are
recovering from another type of injury or illness, ginger may be able to
assist.
Ginger is also famous for its role in boosting digestion, including eliminating intestinal gas, easing motion sickness and more. This deliciously spicy rhizome can also help to prevent and combat cancer.
Lemon: An immune system superbooster
The humble lemon is truly a
superfruit, and one that’s a real gift to the immune system. Lemons are
packed with vitamin C, which has anti-inflammatory properties, and also
helps the body fight off infection illness.
On vitamin C, the authors of a 2006 study published in the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism wrote:
“Vitamin C concentrations in the
plasma and leukocytes rapidly decline during infections and stress.
Supplementation of vitamin C was found to improve components of the
human immune system such as antimicrobial and natural killer cell
activities, lymphocyte proliferation, chemotaxis and delayed-type
hypersensitivity.”
The vitamin C in lemons has potent
antioxidant properties and has been found to help reduce symptoms of
various inflammatory illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Because of the effect of vitamin C on inflammation, it may benefit a
wide range of other inflammatory chronic illnesses, as well.Lemons are also great for balancing
your body’s pH, and are excellent additions to a detox or cleanse. They
contain a world of other health benefits
as well, including supporting digestive health, regulating blood
pressure, clearing up your skin and potentially protecting the body from
cancer.
Combining the two
To combine the properties of ginger
and lemon into one healthy gulp, make yourself a ginger lemon shot.
Simply place the flesh of a lemon, and about half an inch of peeled
ginger, into your juicer and juice into a shot glass. It’s really that
easy. Whether you’re feeling under the weather, or just want to boost
the health quotient of your day, this is definitely one shot to try.
—Tanya Rakhmilevich
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