Cleansing Water
For about 15 years of my life, the most common words out of my mouth were “I don’t understand why I can’t poop. I eat lots of fiber and drink lots of water.”
How frustrating, right?
Knowing everything I know now, the answer was so obvious: I wasn’t hydrated enough.
Now, I know I just said I drank lots of water, which I did, but drinking plain water does very little to actually hydrate your colon. When you drink plain water, it tends to just go through you.
But when you drink mineral-rich fluids, they actually penetrate the cells, and they actually go into your intestines & hydrate your digestive system, promoting bowel movements.
Bloating Causes
Bloating often occurs due to one of three main reasons: water retention, gas buildup, or accumulated waste in the intestines. Understanding these causes is crucial to addressing the discomfort effectively.
Water retention happens when your body holds onto excess fluid, often due to imbalances in electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium. When sodium levels are too high or potassium levels too low, your body tries to maintain balance by retaining water. This retention leads to swelling in various parts of your body, including your abdomen, contributing to a bloated feeling.
Gas buildup is another common cause of bloating. This happens when undigested food ferments in your gut, producing gas as a byproduct. Foods that are high in fiber, certain carbohydrates, or those that are difficult to digest can lead to increased gas production. The gas then accumulates in your digestive tract, causing your abdomen to expand and feel uncomfortable.
Accumulated waste is the third main cause of bloating. When your digestive system slows down, whether due to a lack of fiber, dehydration, or other factors, waste can build up in your intestines. This accumulation not only leads to constipation but also causes your abdomen to become distended, adding to the bloated sensation.
Drinking beverages rich in minerals can help combat bloating by addressing both water retention and accumulated waste. Minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium, play key roles in regulating fluid balance and supporting digestive function.
Potassium helps counteract the effects of sodium in your body, promoting the excretion of excess sodium and the associated retained water. By restoring this balance, potassium-rich beverages can help reduce water retention and the bloating it causes. Magnesium acts as a natural muscle relaxant, which is particularly beneficial for the muscles in your gastrointestinal tract. When these muscles relax, it can help alleviate constipation by allowing waste to move more easily through your intestines, reducing the bloating caused by accumulated waste.
A beverage with minerals does more than just hydrate you. Plain water hydrates your body but doesn't actively help in restoring electrolyte balance or stimulating bowel movements. When you drink mineral-rich beverages, you're not only replenishing your body's fluid levels but also providing the necessary electrolytes to maintain a proper balance. This balance ensures that water is distributed where it's needed and excess water is excreted, reducing bloating.
Minerals like magnesium and calcium also play a role in stimulating digestive enzymes and promoting muscle contractions in the intestines, which help move waste through your digestive system. This action can relieve the pressure caused by accumulated waste, reducing bloating. Additionally, minerals contribute to the production of mucus in the intestines, which lubricates the passage of waste, further aiding in the prevention of constipation and the discomfort it brings.
By drinking beverages rich in minerals, you're effectively tackling the root causes of bloating. These minerals help your body manage fluid retention, reduce gas buildup by improving digestive efficiency, and prevent waste accumulation by supporting regular bowel movements. This comprehensive approach not only alleviates bloating but also promotes overall digestive health, making you feel lighter and more comfortable.
The Solution
My cleansing water (I also call it “detox water”— can’t seem to decide which I like better) helps fight bloating & constipation by hydrating the colon & promoting peristalsis. Here’s Why:
First, we have fresh ginger in there. Ginger is beneficial for relieving constipation due to several reasons:
Stimulates Digestive System: Ginger contains bioactive compounds like gingerol and shogaol, which have been shown to stimulate the digestive system. These compounds promote the secretion of digestive juices and enzymes, which aid in the breakdown of food and facilitate bowel movements. By enhancing digestive function, ginger can help alleviate constipation.
Promotes Gut Motility: Ginger has been found to have prokinetic effects, meaning it helps increase the contractions of the intestinal muscles, a process known as peristalsis. This increased gut motility promotes the movement of food and waste through the digestive tract, reducing the likelihood of constipation. By enhancing gut motility, ginger can help alleviate symptoms of constipation and improve bowel regularity.
Anti-inflammatory Properties: Chronic inflammation in the digestive tract can contribute to digestive issues, including constipation. Ginger possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby promoting optimal digestive function. By addressing underlying inflammation, ginger may help alleviate constipation and improve overall gut health.
Relieves Gastrointestinal Discomfort: Ginger is known for its ability to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort, including bloating, gas, and indigestion, which are common symptoms associated with constipation. By reducing discomfort and promoting overall digestive comfort, ginger can indirectly help alleviate constipation and improve digestive function
The detox water also has aloe vera, which is also elite for constipation. Here’s why:
Laxative Effects: Aloe vera contains compounds called anthraquinones, such as aloin, which have natural laxative properties. These compounds work by increasing the contraction of the intestinal muscles, a process known as peristalsis, which helps move stool through the digestive tract more efficiently. By stimulating bowel movements, aloe vera can alleviate constipation and promote regularity.
Note: please avoid any aloe products that have aloe latex in them, the latex is a powerful laxative, but it can be very habit forming
Hydration: Aloe vera gel is rich in water and contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that helps retain moisture. Adequate hydration is essential for maintaining soft stools and preventing constipation. By increasing hydration in the colon, aloe vera can help soften stool and make it easier to pass, thus relieving constipation.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract can contribute to digestive issues, including constipation. Aloe vera contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, such as polysaccharides and glycoproteins, which can help reduce inflammation and irritation in the digestive tract. By addressing underlying inflammation, aloe vera may help improve digestive function and alleviate constipation.
Soothing and Healing: Aloe vera has soothing and healing properties that can help alleviate discomfort and irritation in the digestive tract. It can help soothe the lining of the intestines and reduce irritation that may contribute to constipation. By promoting a healthier gastrointestinal environment, aloe vera may support optimal bowel function and alleviate constipation.
Supports Gut Health: Aloe vera contains prebiotic fibers that can support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. A healthy balance of gut bacteria is essential for proper digestion and bowel function. By promoting a healthy gut microbiome, aloe vera may indirectly support regular bowel movements and alleviate constipation.
Note: I sometimes skip the aloe water & just do the rest of the ingredients. For me, personally, the aloe water seems to be the least important piece of the puzzle, but different bodies are different.
Lemon and lime juices are rich in citric acid, which helps stimulate the production of digestive enzymes in your stomach. These enzymes break down food more efficiently, reducing the chances of undigested food lingering in your intestines and causing gas and bloating. The acidity of lemon and lime juices also encourages bile production, which is essential for the digestion and absorption of fats. Efficient fat digestion reduces the likelihood of bloating and supports the smooth passage of food through your digestive system. Lemons and limes contain several enzymes that play important roles in digestion and overall health. The key enzymes found in these citrus fruits include:
Citrate Lyase: This enzyme is involved in the metabolism of citric acid, which is abundant in both lemons and limes. Citrate lyase breaks down citric acid into oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA, which are important intermediates in the Krebs cycle—a key metabolic pathway that produces energy in your cells. While not directly related to digestion, the efficient breakdown of citric acid helps in maintaining metabolic balance and can indirectly support digestive health by providing energy for intestinal cells.
Ascorbic Acid Oxidase: This enzyme helps in the oxidation of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) found in lemons and limes. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that supports overall health, including gut health. The presence of ascorbic acid oxidase ensures that vitamin C is effectively utilized and converted into its active form, which helps in protecting the gut lining from oxidative stress and inflammation.
Peroxidase: Found in the cell walls of lemon and lime tissues, peroxidase is an enzyme that breaks down peroxides, which are harmful reactive oxygen species. By reducing oxidative stress, peroxidase helps protect the cells of your digestive tract and promotes overall gut health.
Pectinase: Lemons and limes contain pectinase, an enzyme that breaks down pectin, a type of soluble fiber found in the cell walls of fruits. Pectinase helps in the digestion of pectin, making it easier for your gut bacteria to ferment this fiber into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which support gut health by nourishing the intestinal lining, reducing inflammation, and promoting regular bowel movements.
Protease: While not as abundant as in other foods, lemons and limes contain small amounts of protease enzymes, which aid in the breakdown of proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids. This process is essential for protein digestion and absorption, which is crucial for overall digestive health.
The other ingredient is trace mineral drops. Trace mineral drops contain a variety of essential minerals, including magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc, and others, which play important roles in various bodily functions, including digestion and bowel function. Here's how trace mineral drops may help alleviate constipation:
Magnesium: Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant and osmotic agent, meaning it attracts water into the intestines. This helps soften stool and promote bowel movements. Many people are deficient in magnesium, which can contribute to constipation. Taking trace mineral drops containing magnesium can help replenish magnesium levels and support regular bowel movements.
Potassium: Potassium is involved in maintaining proper muscle function, including the muscles of the digestive tract. Adequate potassium levels are important for smooth muscle contractions that move food and waste through the digestive system. Trace mineral drops that contain potassium may help support healthy digestive muscle function and alleviate constipation.
Electrolyte Balance: Trace mineral drops contain a balance of electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which are essential for maintaining proper fluid balance in the body. Electrolytes help regulate water movement in the intestines, which is important for softening stool and promoting regular bowel movements. Imbalances in electrolytes can contribute to constipation, so ensuring adequate intake through trace mineral drops can help support healthy bowel function.
Nutrient Absorption: Trace minerals play a role in nutrient absorption and utilization throughout the body, including in the digestive system. Adequate levels of trace minerals are necessary for optimal nutrient absorption, which can support overall digestive health and function. By promoting efficient nutrient absorption, trace mineral drops may help support healthy bowel movements and alleviate constipation.
Alkalizing Effects: Some trace mineral drops contain alkalizing minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, which can help balance pH levels in the digestive tract. An acidic environment in the digestive tract can contribute to inflammation and digestive issues, including constipation. Alkalizing minerals may help promote a more balanced pH environment, which can support healthy digestion and bowel function.
The Recipe
It starts with making ginger water. For that, start with some washed, whole, fresh, organic ginger root. Use organic because it lives in the soil & can be exposed to more pesticides. Because we are using organic & we’re straining, we will not bother with peeling the ginger, but do give it a thorough scrub to get the dirt off. Just blend the ginger with some water, and strain it. You don’ have to be too precious with it…I typically use a hand-sized piece of fresh ginger, put it in the blender, cover with enough water that it’s fully submerged, then blend. Once it’s fully blended, pass it through a fine-mesh sieve to pull the fibers out. Keep your ginger water in the fridge, it should last a few days
Every morning, combine roughly 1 cup ginger water, 1 cup aloe juice, 1 cup filtered water, the juice of 2-3 lemons, and about 10-30 trace mineral drops, and drink the whole thing immediately. Repeat as needed!
Links
aloe juice (this is the ONLY brand I’ve seen that has no additives)
For More on Gut Health
I highly recommend you check out the Blush Academy, where there are digital courses on nervous system regulation, tons of recipes, breathwork sessions, hands on practices, and an upcoming GUT HEALTH course that will be your best friend for living your best, most vibrant, life. You can learn more about the Blush Academy here.
