Kombucha was not my first choice of sparkling beverages. It wasn’t even my second. Truth be told, the idea of kombucha did not appeal to me until I experienced the necessity and urgency of improving my health using non-traditional methods. It was at that point, with some research on the benefits along with some trusty gut instinct, that I decided to purchase my very first bottle of Health-Ade Pink Lady Apple Kombucha at Trader Joe’s. After that I was hooked.
In the last few years, kombucha has increased in popularity, mainly because it serves as a functional beverage, meaning that it doesn’t just taste good, but it actually provides natural support to the systems that keep our bodies running optimally. To those of us with a mind on natural health, kombucha may provide a form of natural “medicine” that can keep our digestive system happy and healthy. There are other benefits too.
Kombucha is made using black tea, green tea, or a mixture of these teas sweetened with sugar. A culture of bacteria and yeast, commonly referred to as a SCOBY is then added to the mixture where it is left to ferment at room temperature for 10-14 days. A second fermentation occurs after the SCOBY is removed. Finally, a mixture of fruits, juices, and/or spices can be added to enhance the flavor of the beverage.
The SCOBY, even the idea of the SCOBY, is where many people get turned off. Fungus is almost never fun, but in the production of kombucha, the SCOBY eats the sugar and caffeine in the tea and adds beneficial bacteria and probiotics, enzymes, and Vitamin B that otherwise would not be present. These are the features of kombucha that create the benefits of this functional drink.
Common benefits of kombucha are improved digestion, increased energy, a boost to our immune system, weight loss, lowered blood pressure, and even a decreased risk of heart disease.
How is this possible you might ask? According to healthline.com, “Your body is full of trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi. They are collectively known as the microbiome. While some bacteria are associated with disease, others are actually extremely important for your immune system, heart, weight and many other aspects of health.”
Kombucha may feed our good bacteria and help our digestive tract achieve a healthy balance. For me, Kombucha has become an additional supplement on my own road to health, along with nightly probiotics, and a regime of daily digestive enzymes, which I highly recommend.
You are what you eat. Ultimately, our ability to heal ourselves takes time, patience, and effort. Many of us have spent most of our lives making food and drink choices that harm our guts. When it’s time, we need to make the choice to heal.
Kombucha is happily a part of my daily wellness protocol. Of course, always consult with your doctor for appropriate examinations, treatment, testing, and care recommendations when making changes to your diet or wellness regimen.