Hot lemon water, with honey every morning
-cold preventer, morning energizer, system mover
In the past few years I have traveled back and forth from the USA to Europe a number of times. At least twice I’ve been sick before the trip commenced or gotten a cold after the flight. Then the cold has come and gone for a month or so. None of which is a very nice experience. A year ago in March I read about the benefits of drinking warm lemon water with honey each morning. I was already aware of this habit as a type of morning detox, to help get your system moving, if you know what I mean. But I read that it could also be an agent for keeping one healthy, providing morning energy without a coffee/sugar crash among other things. So I decided to give it a shot. Immediately after starting, I felt better in the mornings. But I knew that I wouldn’t really find out how effective it was until cold season or international travel came around again.
Finally a few weeks ago I got to put it to the test. We were traveling for a total of three and half weeks between Europe and the US. There seemed to be lots factors that might allow germs to sneak in: two 8 hour flights, winter-time, lack of sleep, etc. A few friends actually cancelled visits with us because they were sick. Thorsten came down with a cold in the third week. But I stayed consistent drinking the lemon water through all the days of travel and totally avoided getting sick. I knew this was a healthy way to start my day but now I’m totally sold on this habit as preventative “medicine”. I can say with confidence that I have not had a cold in almost a year. Here is a link that inspired me. Here is a link for more scientific information on the health benefits of limes and lemons.
How to use it
1/4 or 1/2 lemon (depending on how large your mug is)
boiling water (also depends on mug size)
1/2 teaspoon of honey (local if possible)
Drink it after you wake up before you eat. I usually mix a little room temperature water in it so that I can drink it a little faster.