This whole-food fusion of vitamin C, phytonutrients, and prebiotic fiber also lends itself to leave the drinker with a cleansing-like effect, especially when drank first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. To really get the full positive impact for your digestive system, I suggest not just using the lemon juice by itself. Mix as much of the pulp as you can with the lemon juice in your morning warm (not hot, as that denatures the vitamin C) or cold water. The pectin fiber and other phytonutrients are found in the lemon pulp. Another aspect of its gut-immune benefits is its natural antihistamine effect2, lowering the symptoms of allergies and chronic immune problems like wheezing and sneezing. Apple cider vinegar can also be purchased with its “mother.” The ACV’s “mother” is a colony of beneficial bacteria, similar to a kombucha SCOBY. Another potential gut health benefit of apple cider vinegar is improving many cases of heartburn and indigestion. A common cause of heartburn I find in many people is low stomach acid or hypochlorhydria. Many of my patients find that taking some apple cider vinegar with their meals helps their heartburn or acid reflux and overall digestion. If you are sensitive or starting off on this whole gut health thing, I suggest starting off with lemon pulp water as this, in general, is a gentler approach, and who could go wrong with the real-food freshness of lemon water? Apple cider vinegar obviously can and should be diluted, but its potency can be too much for some people with sensitive systems, so a little goes a long way. But because of its strength, I’ve heard more anecdotal gut success stories from my patients when they use ACV over lemon water.
