Water is a transparent fluid which forms the world’s streams, lakes, oceans and rain, and is the major constituent of the fluids of living things. Water is essential for human health, but the proper source and amount varies from person to person and within a person over time. All human cells and systems require water, so it’s essential to keep hydrated.

The lemon is a small evergreen tree native to Asia. The juice, pulp, and skin of the fruit are all used in cooking around the world. Though lemons have an acidic, tart taste – they are one of the strongest alkaline-forming foods. Lemon juice is a great way to help balance pH. Lemons are very high in Vitamin C and have a strong antioxidant and antibiotic effect.

The apple tree is a deciduous tree in the rose family best known for its sweet, pomaceous fruit, the apple. Apples are high in Vitamin C and fiber, and contain important phytonutrition for regulating blood sugar and preventing cardiovascular disease. Apples have also been studies for their positive effect on respiratory health, including helping with asthma. Your Reading the Smoothie Ingredients Guide Health Benefits and Facts.

The cayenne pepper is a cultivar of Capsicum annuum. Although incredibly hot and spicy even in small amounts, cayenne is packed with nutrition and phytonutrients. Cayenne is high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, niacin, riboflavin, Iron, Copper, and Potassium. Cayenne also contains plenty of, capsaicin, which has been found to have anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogenic, analgesic, and anti-diabetic properties. It’s also been shown to reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) levels.

Honey is a sweet food made by bees using nectar from flowers. The variety produced by honey bees is the one most commonly referred to, as it is the type of honey collected by most beekeepers and consumed by people. Honey’s sweet taste comes from sugar, so it should be consumed in moderation. Honey does contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, and also antioxidants that have shown anti-inflammatory and to reduce homocysteine and bad cholesterol levels. Honey is a better choice of sweeteners than refined sugars – but even with natural nutritional benefits it is still a sweetener made primarily of fructose.

Stevia is a sweetener and sugar substitute extracted from the leaves of the plant species Stevia rebaudiana. Stevia has zero calories, zero carbohydrates, and zero glycemic index – making it a safe sweetener for diabetics. Stevia is also up to 200 times more sweet than sugar, meaning a very small amount is used in recipes.