I’ll try anything once.
So, when I heard about a natural drink that contains caffeine, probiotics and a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, I quickly headed to the closest natural food store on a quest for Kombucha. Why did I jump at the chance to consume a beverage with a colony of bacteria and yeast growing in it? Well, allow me to explain…
Kombucha is made from sweetened tea that has been fermented by a SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) and has only gained prominence in the western world in recent years. It originated in Asia and was believed to be a miracle-cure to many ailments. Of course nothing is a miracle cure, but Kombucha has the compounds to at least promote good health. It gives your body what it needs to heal itself by aiding your liver in removing harmful substances, promoting balance in your digestive system and is rich in vitamins, enzymes and acids.
When I arrived at Kardish Foods, I eagerly quizzed the salesperson on what she knew about the tea. She told me that she drinks it on the regular and thinks of it as nature’s champagne (it is naturally carbonated through the fermentation process!). I say, its nature’s Redbull. As previously mentioned, it’s a caffeinated drink (win) and I’ve noticed a pep in my step when I start my day off with a bottle of Kombucha.
Based on reviews, the general consensus seems to be that with regular, daily consumption, you’ll notice improvement in immune system functioning and energy levels within about a week and the healing of more minor ailments within a month.
Though there a few different producers of Kombucha Tea that are widely available throughout Ottawa, my preferred brand is Rise. Rise is a Quebec based company that produces Kombucha in a myriad of delightful flavours. Pictured above are a few of my favourites: Rose & Shizandra, Lemongrass and Ginger.
Aside from those who enjoy the actual taste of the beverage, like me, proponents claim that there are immense health benefits associated with drinking Kombucha tea. Though there is no concrete evidence to support these claims, below are some of the health benefits that have been associated with Kombucha…
Benefit #1 — Detoxification
Detoxification produces healthy livers and aides cancer prevention. One of kombucha’s greatest health benefits is its ability to detox the body. It is rich in many of the enzymes and bacterial acids your body produces and/or uses to detox your system, thus reducing your pancreatic load and easing the burden on your liver.
Benefit #2 — Joint Care
Kombucha contains glucosamines, a strong preventive treatment for all forms of arthritis. Glucosamines increase synovial hyaluronic acid production. Hyaluronic acid functions physiologically to aid preservation of cartilage structure and prevent arthritic pain. Hyaluronic acid enables connective tissue to bind moisture thousands of times its weight and maintains tissue structure, moisture, lubrication and flexibility and lessens free radical damage, while associated collagen retards and reduces wrinkles.
Benefit #3 — Aids Digestion and Gut Health
Because it’s naturally fermented with a living colony of bacteria and yeast, Kombucha is a probiotic beverage. This has a myriad of benefits such as improved digestion, fighting candida (harmful yeast) overgrowth, mental clarity, and mood stability.
Benefit #4 — Immune Boosting
Kombucha is extraordinarily anti-oxidant rich, and there are proven benefits of anti-oxidants and boosting your immune system and energy levels.
Have you tried Kombucha Tea? Let us know what you think about the so-called “miracle” drink!
Sources 1 , 2, 3
Recent Comments