First, a reminder of the importance of hydration to help achieve your overall goals (regardless of what they are).
Routine is a vitamin and supplement company focused on providing products with clean ingredients you can actually recognize and pronounce. One of their major products, Morning Routine, is a blend of lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and Himalayan salt that is designed to be taken in the morning to improve not only your hydration but also your overall health.
A quick scientific review reveals studies that the ingredients in this product are reported to help with hydration, digestion, metabolism, and immune function.
Let’s break down the ingredients in Morning Routine:
Apple Cider Vinegar
The main component of ACV is acetic acid, which gives the vinegar its strong, sour smell and flavor. Vinegar has been thought to have a number of health benefits including killing pathogens and bacteria, lowering blood sugar, and enhancing the function of insulin (1, 2, 3). Vinegar may also help improve satiety, by increasing the sensation of fullness. One study showed that taking vinegar along with a high carb meal reduced calorie intake due to fullness, by about 200-275 calories per person (4).
Lemon
Lemons have also been reported to have a number of health benefits. They are rich in vitamin C, which has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. Lemons have also been reported to be beneficial for weight loss although the science here is a bit less solid in my opinion (5, 6).
Himalayan Salt
Himalayan salt is a type of salt found naturally near the Himalayas in Pakistan. Many people claim that its pink color indicates an enhanced amount of minerals, leading to overall health benefits. However, not much actual research exists on Himalayan salt. That said, one study did show that Himalayan salt has 84 other minerals and elements and that the levels are higher than traditional table salt (7).
Of course, sodium from ANY salt plays an important role in countless biological processes and is an important part of a balanced diet.
What about taste?
From a taste perspective, the "Morning Routine" flavor profile mirrors the ingredients listed on its label. Sour (lemon), salty (Himalayan sea salt), and a nice tart punch from the Apple Cider Vinegar. I personally really enjoyed the natural salty & sour flavors, a welcome divergence from other super sweet electrolyte products on the market.
My only complaint would be that it requires vigorous mixing to prevent clumping at the bottom of your glass. Overall, this product is a great addition to your Morning Routine…..see what I did there??
Overall Thoughts
If you struggle to drink plain water or sweat a substantial amount throughout the day, then I think this is a great product to add to your morning. I would recommend waking up, drinking a full glass of water with Morning Routine before moving over to your first cup of coffee. By doing this, you’re starting the day off strong with a nice hydration level which will help in more ways than one.
Interested in giving it a try? In April, you can use the code “M2” for 45% off their products.