I’ve said it time and time again – digestion is one of the most important aspects to your health and wellness.

But it makes sense doesn’t it? If you’re not properly breaking down nutrients, and then absorbing them, there really is no point. In addition to that, digestive strain and dysfunction causes a number of issues such as systemic inflammation, adrenal fatigue, weight imbalances…the list goes on, and more often than not, these ailments are very much connected.

Eating in a calm and relaxed sate is the best way to start, but priming your system with some digestively stimulating goodness can also be an immense help when it comes to a happy healthy body. The following is an amazing little elixir that encourages the production of hydrochloric acid (stomach acid) and enzyme secretion for breaking down food, while stimulating the energy and movement of our intestines, and even calming an aggravated GI tract.

I’ve included a breakdown of the nutrients involved, and if you want to learn more about how to improve digestion (and therefore your health in general), click on the link below…

Blog Post: Digestion 101: How to get the most out of your food

Health Benefits...

Ginger: Ginger has long been celebrated as a digestively beneficial ingredient, most commonly used to settle nausea. It’s also stimulating, creating heat to energize a sluggish digestive system, encouraging peristalsis, or the movement the food through the intestines. Ginger is also a well-known immune booster. 80% of the immune system in located in the gut, so if the immune system is overburdened, your digestive system will be too. This powerful root helps to boost immune function, while aiding the flow and absorption of food through our system – a winning combination digestively speaking!

Turmeric: One of the biggest side effects and concerns with dysfunctional digestion is intestinal inflammation. An inflamed intestine can be caused by many things - chronic stress, undigested foods particles irritating the gut lining, over-consumption of inflammatory foods – and can lead to issues such as leaky gut (permeable gut lining, whereby undigested food particles escape into the bloodstream) amongst many other things. A major goal with healing digestive function is reducing inflammation in your body, and one of the most potent anti-inflammatory foods in the world is turmeric.

Pineapple: The bromelain found in pineapple helps the body break down one of the hardest macro-nutrients to digest – protein! Bromelain also has anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and natural detox properties – all great for creating that natural “inner glow.”

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is one of those traditional "cure-all's". It helps promote hydrochloric acid (HCL) production and digestive enzyme secretion, and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, specifically a strain that regulates candida issues (the overgrowth of yeast in the digestive tract). Outside of the digestive sphere, ACV is fantastic for maintaining systemic alkalinity and can even be used to regulate blood sugar levels. Note though, that these benefits are only achieved with raw (unpasteurized) apple cider vinegar.

Water Kefir: While traditional kefir is made from fermented dairy, water kefir is made with water kefir “grains,” which consist of bacteria and yeast existing in a symbiotic relationship, and is dairy-free (and actual grain-free...I know, the name is misleading). Both can be incredibly healthful, but in this recipe, the water kefir option just tastes better in my opinion. Either way, kefir (dairy or water) is known for its high content of probiotics, which are integral to healthy gut function. Our body is a complex mix of microorganisms, and a strong team of beneficial bacteria is one of the key features of a healthy digestive tract. Beneficial bacteria are necessary for fighting off the bad bacteria that find their way into our system, and also maintain proper immune function, weight balance, psychological and cognitive wellbeing, and so many other aspects to our health and wellness.

Kombucha: Similar to kefir, the shining glory of kombucha is the awesome content of probiotics necessary for proper digestive health, and overall wellness. Kombucha is a fermented beverage, made from a scoby (symbiotic culture of bacteria), also known as a “mother” or “starter.” The slight acidic flavour of kombucha is also great for stimulating HCL production and enzyme secretion.

Mint: One of the most traditional and effective digestive healers, mint soothes the gut lining, diminishing intestinal inflammation, nausea, gas, and bloating. Even just the aroma of mint activates the salivary glands, which contain important digestive enzymes such as salivary amylase, which helps break down starches.

Inner Glow Digestive Tonic

*Makes 1 serving

If you have a juicer…

Ingredients:

1-2 tsp fresh cold-pressed ginger juice
1/2-1 tsp fresh cold-pressed turmeric juice
2-3 tblsp fresh cold-pressed pineapple juice
1 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
About 1.5 cups water kefir or kombucha
A few sprigs of fresh mint

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a tall glass and enjoy before meals.

If you have a blender…

Ingredients:

2 tblsp fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
1 tblsp fresh turmeric, peeled and chopped
½ cup fresh pineapple, peeled and chopped
1 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
About 1.5 cups water kefir or kombucha
A few sprigs of fresh mint

Directions:

Combine ginger, turmeric, and pineapple, in a blender, and blend until fully pureed.
Transfer the puree to a tall glass, and add the kefir or kombucha, apple cider vinegar, and a few sprigs of mint leaves, and enjoy before meals!

*Note: Because the drink is a bit thicker with the puree, you might need to keep stirring with a straw as you sip.