The following is a guest post by Kate Gavlick, a nutritionist with a master’s degree in nutrition, peanut butter addict, writer, and photographer. You can find Kate's blog here.
There's something SO refreshing about lemons and lemonade in the hot months of summer, especially when lemons are mixed with Health-Ade's Cayenne Cleanse kombucha for an extra special kick of hydrating flavor and digestive-friendly properties.
Lemons are a total summer superfood, FYI. They're a potent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage and inflammation. Studies have shown that vitamin C consumption is linked to lower rates of cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure, and reduced instances of stroke.
Other studies, like this 2007 study published in the American Society for Clinical Nutrition, found that those who consumed more vitamin C containing foods have less wrinkles and dry skin - eat and drink up!
Lemon mixed with cayenne is a spicy and sweet combination. Cayenne peppers are rich in antioxidants and contain trace nutrients like vitamins A, E, C, manganese and potassium.
Cayenne contains a compound called capsaicin, the active ingredient that gives the peppers their hot and spicy taste. The more capsaicin in the pepper, the hotter! Capsaicin increases the amount of heat the body produces, which in turn can boost your metabolism slightly, according to this 2013 study.
It's thought that lemon and cayenne both containing warming qualities, that when ingested, can help to produce more stomach bile. This is why you may have heard to drink a glass of warm lemon water with a pinch of cayenne pepper in the morning for a boost of digestive-friendly powers.
Although the science on this is slightly lacking, what I do know is that the combination of lemon and cayenne does make my digestion feel great, and I love the zesty and spicy flavor, too!
Using Health-Ade's Cayenne Cleanse kombucha is a delicious way to create a lemon and cayenne tonic, that's bursting with digestive-friendly probiotics. Consider this drink the most hydrating, digestive-friendly lemonade ever. Enjoy!
Digestive-Loving Spicy Cayenne Lemonade
Serves: 2-4
Ingredients:
- 1 Bottle Health-Ade Cayenne Cleanse Kombucha
- 4 lemons, juiced
- 2 cups cold water or sparkling water
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 2 cups ice
Directions:
- Add all ingredients to a large jar or pitcher. Mix well to combine.
- Serve and enjoy!
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