Wellness Weekly: The Sweetness Of Health

By Idy Perl

Welcome back to Wellness Weekly! With various flus and viruses going well, viral, this week, we have a recipe for an immune boosting wellness shot, and explore the necessity and dangers of sugar. 

Myth Buster:

Myth: All sugar is bad for you.

Truth: The foods we eat contain either natural or added sugars, and there’s a big difference between the two. Natural sugars are naturally found in various foods, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and carbs. Those foods have other nutritional components, such as fiber or proteins, that aid the body in digesting the sugar at a rate that won’t spike your blood sugar levels.

Foods with processed or added sugars, on the other hand, besides for containing more than the recommended amount of sugar we should ingest daily, will cause your sugar levels to spike and then drop, which can lead to weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues.

 

Healthy And Delicious:

With various viruses going around right now, it’s the perfect time to build your immune system. Take this wellness shot twice a day to give your immune system a boost:

Ginger Lemon Wellness Shot

Ingredients:

1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled

1 lemon, juiced

1 tablespoon raw honey

1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder (or a small piece of fresh turmeric)

A pinch of black pepper (enhances turmeric absorption)

1/4 cup water (optional, to dilute)

Instructions:

Blend the ginger, lemon juice, honey, turmeric, and black pepper with water until smooth. Strain the mixture using a fine mesh sieve or anything else. Pour into a shot glass and enjoy immediately.

 

Wellness Wisdom:

Although sugar can be harmful if eaten in excess, it’s also vital to our everyday function and is the body’s main source of energy. In fact, half of the sugar energy in our body is used by the brain, and functions such as thinking, learning, and memory have been linked to glucose levels.

 

Mind and Body Exercise:

It’s January, the time to reevaluate the things we want to change and improve in the coming year. For many people, that includes their relationship with alcohol. In 2013 a British alcohol charity started a “Dry January” campaign, in which people gave up alcohol for the month of January. The idea quickly caught on, and every year thousands of people around the world try to stay sober for the entire January.

Going sober has many health benefits and can help with better sleep, weight loss, and increase your energy levels. In addition, it’s a great way to test your relationship with alcohol and help you feel more in control of your alcohol intake.

So… do you think you’re up for the challenge?

 

Sharing is Caring:

How do you stay on top of your daily sugar intake?