A UK-based NHS GP has shared an easy-to-follow recipe for a wellness drink that’s “great for your gut” as well as reducing bloating, nausea and discomfort. Here’s what you need to know
An NHS GP has revealed his secret recipe for a homemade drink that not only keeps your gut healthy but helps with “bloating, nausea and discomfort”. In a TikTok video that’s been viewed over half a million times, Doctor Karan Raj, known as @dr.karanr on the social media platform, urged people to ditch store-bought wellness drinks and make their own at home.
He said: “Stop buying these [store bought] and make your own wellness drink at home that can actually improve your gut health.” The doctor’s recipe starts with lemons and oranges.
These are rich in soluble fibre called pectin, flavonoids, and vitamin C – all essential for maintaining gut health. He then adds ginger, which aids gastric emptying and reduces bloating and discomfort.
To spice things up, he includes black pepper and turmeric, whose anti-inflammatory compounds work together to enhance absorption, reports Surrey Live. After lots of fruit, he adds olive oil, explaining: “All the active compounds I’ve mentioned so far are fat soluble so therefore more easily absorbed with a source of dietary fat, not to mention olive oil is rich in polyphenols which itself is a pre-biotic for your gut bugs.”
The health guru explains that by creating the simple and easy homemade wellness drink, you will gain lots of benefits. This is because he says that “most of the commercial wellness shots are devoid of fibre because they’re juiced up and the pith and pulp are filtered out and discarded, which is the most important bit”.
To balance the bitterness from the fibre and acidity, he suggests adding honey to the mix as it has some pre-biotic properties. Tasty.
He also throws in mint for “that menthol which relaxes the muscle of the intestine and helps relieve abdominal discomfort.” Then, all you need to do is blend it all together and add water to achieve your desired consistency.
The recipe for Dr Karan Raj’s wellness drink
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Ginger
- Olive Oil
- Black Pepper
- Turmeric
- Honey
- Mint leaves (fresh)
After watching the video, one viewer asked if the turmeric would stain their teeth, to which Dr Karan responded: “In this sort of quantities..not really. Unless you plan on eating huge amounts daily.” The doctor doesn’t specify exact quantities, instead encouraging viewers to add ingredients to taste.
In response to the video, one viewer commented: “Tried this at home and it’s a game-changer! My gut feels so much better.
“Thanks for the awesome recipe!” Another said: “I make almost the exact same one except I add a pinch of cayenne and clove of garlic.” A third suggested adding carrot for vitamin A, with the doctor agreeing: “You can add whatever you want.”