Summer is nearly over. However, for some, firm resolutions made at the beginning of the year have not been achieved: weight loss.  There is no need to feel guilty and no need to wait until next Monday to start a healthy weight losing transformation.  Do you feel those magic pills do not do their job, miracle powders do not achieve presumed goals or  jumping from one diet to another either?

Understanding ourselves is the key point to control and achieve our desires.  Something can work for most people, but maybe not for some of them and vice versa.  Going through the process of losing weight is not always cheap, however it can be affordable for every single pocket, and with a satisfactory result, with only 5 ingredients. Four of them are found easily in almost every kitchen: cucumber, parsley, lemon and ginger.  The most atypical one is Aloe Vera gel.

A combination of all these ingredients will help you reduce that extra and undesirable fat around your belly.  It will not happen suddenly, but with patience and perseverance the goal will get closer.

This recipe needs:

• 1 cucumber
• ½ handful of fresh parsley
• lemon juice from one lemon
• 1 tablespoon of ginger (Ginger could be either powder or a fresh cut into small pieces).
• 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel,
• 200ml of filtered water.

Everything is added into a blender and mixed for 5 to 10 seconds and the powerful formulation is ready.  It must be taken before going to sleep, so the next morning when you wake up, you’ll run to the toilet to flush out all the excess water and with it, some fat.

Cucumber

The diuretic power of cucumber is remarkable, it will excrete all unnecessary water and fat from your body.

Parsley

Parsley is considered an amazing antioxidant due its nutritional value: it is high in vitamin C that prevents oxygen-based damage to cells.  It also supports kidney function, and as cucumber does, parsley flushes out excess fluid from the body. Parsley also has a sedative effect as it relaxes stiff muscles in the digestive system and encourages digestion.

Lemon

Lemon is well known for its strong function as an antibacterial, so it contributes to cleaning of the colon because it contains fibre pectin.  In some way, a start of the weight-loss process requires detoxification of the body.  Lemon in this case is your best friend as a natural cleanser,  it “kicks out” unwanted toxins.

Ginger

On the other hand, ginger has a beneficial effect in the whole of the digestive system. It helps regulate and aid the movement of food through the stomach, as well as small and large intestines.  When everything moves more smoothly, one benefits by losing weight more easily.  As ginger has a high fibre content, gastrointestinal mobility will also increase.  By increasing the rate of metabolism, ginger can help burn off some of the fat stored in the body.  Another remarkable point about this yellow root is that it controls and suppresses the effect of cortisol.  Cortisol is a steroid hormone necessary for energy regulation and mobilisation.  Chronic stress can cause cortisol levels to rise too high. Adipose fat moves to the visceral area where it receives an increased blood supply that encourages tissues to produce an excess amount of cortisol. High cortisol levels may increase excess belly fat and weight gain.

Aloe Vera

Finally, Aloe Vera gel is full of minerals and vitamins, but being used for losing weight is due to its laxative effect. Aloe Vera helps to turn carbohydrates and fats into energy rather than storing them.  So, as they are being used, they are basically being burnt.  And a very important point, this fantastic plant helps to control blood sugar balance. Quite necessary to avoid the feeling of cravings.

Several people have followed this detox-weight loss diet for a week and all of them are extremely happy with the recipe.  There is no secret. It depends on how disciplined every person is. However, the fact is, it is not very likely that with only this juice can someone become a fantastic “barbie girl or her boyfriend Ken” lookalike, it is extremely important to consider the rest of ones food intake and at least do some moderate exercise.

So, if you would like to take the number 1 position away from Barbie or Ken, please come and visit us at Panacea in Putney.  We could give you some useful advice on how to deal with a weight-loss process while using this drink.

If you have any medical conditions or are taking any medication please first consult your doctor or health practitioner

Written by Juan Lainez