Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon Juice Drink

This apple cider vinegar and lemon juice drink is delicious first thing in the morning, and so good for you too – including supporting gut health, aiding in digestion and helping with weight loss. Learn why it works and how to make it. 

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You might have heard about adding a spoonful of apple cider vinegar (ACV) or lemon juice to your water can help with digestion. But have you ever heard about adding both at the same time? 

It turns out that together apple cider vinegar and lemon juice have amazing health benefits, including helping with the digestive system, gut health, and weight loss. Find out the best time to drink it, and how to make it. 

Why Drink Apple Cider and Lemon Juice 

You’ve probably heard about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar and lemon water before. But in this post, I’m going to go in-depth and show you why this power duo is great to use together for a daily delicious drink that has numerous health benefits. 

But first, I do want to mention that I am not a health care professional, and this is not health care advice. I’m an avid researcher and love to find natural remedies for my family and share them with you. Be sure before you start drinking apple cider vinegar and lemon juice, consult with your doctor to make sure it’s right for you.

Okay, now let’s talk about the potential health benefits of this apple cider vinegar drink with lemon juice. 

1. Good Source of Vitamin C

Lemons and other citrus fruits are packed with vitamin C, which is key for immune function, and high in antioxidants. While there is more benefit in eating a whole lemon, that can be hard to do with its sour taste. Use a slice of lemon as much as possible in foods and drinks, and add a fresh squeeze of lemon juice and get some of the pulp too to maximize the benefit. 

2. Helps to Support Gut Health 

Apple cider vinegar is made from the fermentation of fresh apples. The natural sugar from the apples convert into alcohol, which then converts to acetic acid. If you’ve ever seen apple cider vinegar in a bottle, you’ll notice remnants of the “mother” (the good bacteria that converts the alcohol to acetic acid). This bacteria has dozens of strains of natural probiotics that helps to support the gut. 

3. Aids in Digestion 

Apple cider vinegar has enzymes that help to break down foods and aid in digestion, in particular, if you use ACV that has the “mother” in the bottle. Just be sure to give the bottle a good shake to stir up the remnants at the bottom of the bottle before each use. In a study, researchers measured gastric emptying in participants who took apple cider vinegar with water before breakfast. They found that very positive results in gastric emptying in participants in just two weeks.

In addition, fresh lemon juice with a bit of pulp can help with digestion. In a study, researchers found that participants who drank lemon water before meals had better digestion where food moved through the digestive tract.

4. May Help to Lower Blood Sugar

In a small study, researchers found that the acetic acid in vinegar can help to lower blood sugar levels. Participants were given white bread to eat and split into different groups and given different amounts of vinegar. All groups who consume vinegar had better blood sugar levels compared to the group that didn’t consume vinegar at all, and the group that consumed the most vinegar had the best results along with the highest satiety rating. 

5. May Help to Suppress Appetite

In another study, researchers found that participants who consumed ACV daily had a smaller appetite than those who didn’t take it. It’s believed the acetic acid in ACV may help help to slow stomach emptying and give the body a feeling of fullness for a longer period. 

6. May Aid in Weight Loss 

There are several studies that show that regular consumption of ACV can help with weight loss and body fat. In one study, researchers found that subjects that took vinegar regularly had lower body weight, BMI (body mass index), and less belly fat. While ACV alone likely won’t help you lose weight, it can be part of your daily routine along with a healthy diet and exercise. 

7. May Help to Reduce Cholesterol

Researchers in another study found that apple cider vinegar helped to significantly lower triglycerides and total cholesterol, while raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as the good cholesterol. 

How to Make an Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon Juice Drink 

Ingredients

• 1-2 cups filtered water (room temperature or warm water)
• 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (opt for organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar with the mother.)
• Juice of 1/2 lemon (keep the pulp, remove the seeds)
• ​1 tsp raw honey (optional)

Directions

1. In a tall glass, add the the vinegar and lemon juice
2. Add water and stir until combined.
3. Drink immediately to enjoy the enzymes and from the ACV and lemon juice. 

Storage

Ideally, you want to make this apple cider vinegar and lemon juice drink fresh (cut a lemon each time before) each time before you drink it, so it will retain all the enzymes. However, if you want to make a bigger batch and store in the refrigerator you can do that but know that it will lose a bit of its nutritional value. Store for up to 3 days in the fridge.

Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice vs. Bottled Lemon Juice

Avoid bottled lemon juice from the store, which is often pasteurized (or heated) to give it a longer shelf life. The heating process kills most of the enzymes and nutrients in the lemon juice.

In addition, many brands of bottled lemon juice don’t actually contain real lemon juice. It’s often lemon flavored water (potentially with real lemons or artificially flavored) with citric acid added to it.

Use real lemons for this recipe. You can store a fresh-cut lemon in the fridge for a day or two, and use it to make another batch when you’re ready.

Apple Cider Vinegar vs. White Vinegar

Both apple cider vinegar and white vinegar can be consumed. Apple cider vinegar has a slight tart and fruity flavor from the apples it’s fermented from, while white vinegar has a stronger flavor that’s too strong for this recipe.

White vinegar tends to be better for pickling and baking, and even cleaning. Apple cider vinegar is great for this recipe (as it’s more palatable), and can used to make salad dressings and marinades. Check out these 13 Surprising Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar.

Tips + Suggestions

• Lemon juice is highly acidic, so avoid drinking it straight as it can wear the enamel of your teeth. Mix it with 2 cups of water – as noted in my recipe above. If you have a history of dental issues, be sure to consult with your dentist before drinking this. 
• Drink with a straw. This will help to protect teeth enamel from the acidity of the lemon juice. 
• There are many types of vinegar. Be sure to choose apple cider vinegar (not white vinegar) that’s raw (that means not pasteurized or heated) and unfiltered (that means the mother remnants will be at the bottle of the bottle). 
• Drink this first thing in the morning and again at night. You can drink it on an empty stomach (as long as you don’t have any stomach issues) to help feel fuller for a longer period. 
• Start drinking in the morning and if you feel like you can add another drink at night, then go for it. Start slow and see how your body likes it. 
• If you have a history of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or other digestive disorders, be sure to talk to your doctor or a health care professional before drinking this. 

FAQs

Do I have to use apple cider vinegar? 

Yes, it’s ideal to use raw apple cider vinegar that’s unfiltered and with the mother as it will have the healthy bacteria and natural digestive enzymes for the best results. 

Do I have to use fresh lemon juice? 

It’s better to use fresh lemon juice over bottled from the store as it will retain more of the natural enzymes. You could substitute fresh lime juice for lemon juice instead. Orange juice is another option but it is higher in sugar. 

Do I have to use honey in this recipe? 

No, you can omit it. It’s a great way to give this drink a slight sweetness, but you can enjoy it without it. 

Can I substitute the honey with different natural sweeteners? 

Yes, you can use maple syrup or even liquid stevia. 

Can I add anything to this drink? 

Yes, could add a cinnamon stick, slice of ginger, or even fresh herbs like basil or rosemary to the drink for added flavor. But the foundation of the drink is ACV, lemon and water.

More Healthy Drinks You Might Like

• Homemade Electrolyte Drink
• Honey Ginger Lemon Elixir Drink (Natural Cold Remedy)
• Super Easy Turmeric Latte (Golden Milk Drink)

Did you try this apple cider vinegar and lemon juice drink? Don’t forget to comment below to let me know how it went. You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18290732
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20068289
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464618300483
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16015276