Why You Should be Drinking Hot Lemon Water with Ginger

​ There's no doubt that hot lemon water is good for you. Citrus fruits are a great source of Vitamin C, which helps your body do important things like form blood vessels, muscles and cartilage in your body as well as protect and heal your cells. Anecdotal data also suggests that lemon water helps with weight loss and prevention of Type II diabetes. Adding ginger can help take this powerful little beverage to the next level with even more health benefits.

So what's up with ginger and why do you need it in your diet?

Ginger is a spice that has been used for thousands of years. In fact, it's said to have originated in China around 2500 BC. It is one of those spices that has a ton of health benefits. It can help you fight off sickness and toxins, which makes it an important preventative measure for fighting off all the bad stuff BEFORE you get sick.

It's also great for curing several common ailments that we all experience at some point or another:

• It's helpful in preventing and treating nausea, which makes it great for motion sickness, morning sickness, chemotherapy side-effects or a morning pick-me-up after too many cocktails.
• Like lemons, it may also aid with weight loss by helping to reduce body mass index (BMI) and blood insulin levels, which are associated with obesity.
• Ginger has been shown to be an effective treatment for people suffering from type 2 diabetes. In fact, research shows that it can also improve various heart disease risk factors in those with type 2 diabetes.

Here's how to make hot lemon water with ginger.

1. Boil some hot water in an electric kettle or on the stove.
2. While your water is boiling, cut a lemon into slices and squeeze some lemon juice into your mug.
3. Now put some ginger into your mug. You can use a tool like a ginger grater and put some ginger into a tea infuser, or you can take the easy route and simply slice some ginger with a potato peeler and let it float in your water.
4. Now pour the boiling water into the mug and let it steep for 3-5 minutes.
5. Enjoy!

Other Helpful Tips

• If you find that you don't love the taste, add a little honey. (Unless you're focusing on weight loss, in which case it's best to leave the honey out.)
• Prep your morning beverages ahead of time by slicing several lemons and grating or slicing your ginger and then storing it in the refrigerator a week at a time.
• If hot beverages aren't your thing, make a large batch and then store it in the refrigerator and drink it iced throughout the day.

Make this delicious drink first thing each morning to boost your immunity and start your day off right. Try incorporating this delicious drink into your morning routine, maybe right before your morning meditation or exercise.