KOMBUCHA: 7 HEALTH BENEFITS
Have you heard about Kombucha, the beverage the ancient Chinese called the “Immortal Health Elixir”? Chances are that by now you have seen it in your local grocery store. Although it has become popular only lately, Kombucha has been around in the Far East for more than 2,000 years and has a history of tremendous health benefits.
What is it exactly?
It’s a fermented beverage of black tea and sugar (from various sources, including cane sugar, fruit and honey).
It contains a colony of bacteria and yeast that are responsible for initiating the fermentation process once combined with sugar. After being fermented, Kombucha becomes carbonated and contains vinegar, b-vitamins, enzymes, probiotics and a high concentration of acid (acetic, gluconic and lactic), which are tied with the following effects:
Improved Digestion
Weight Loss
Increased Energy
Cleansing and Detoxification
Immune Support
Reduced Joint Pain
Cancer Prevention
The sugar-tea solution is fermented by bacteria and yeast commonly known as a “SCOBY” (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). Although it’s usually made with black tea, kombucha can also be made with green tea.
In the first half of the 20th century, extensive scientific research was done on Kombucha’s health benefits in Russia and Germany, mostly because of a push to find a cure for rising cancer rates. Russian scientists discovered that entire regions of their vast country were seemingly immune to cancer and hypothesized that the Kombucha, called “tea kvass”, was the cause. So, they began a series of experiments which not only verified the hypothesis, but began to pinpoint exactly what it is within Kombucha which was so beneficial.
In a research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food 2014, researchers from the University of Latvia say the following about the health benefits of Kombucha:
It is shown that [kombucha] can efficiently act in health preservation and recovery due to four main properties: detoxification, anti-oxidation, energizing potencies, and promotion of boosting immunity.
According to the research there are five main health benefits of Kombucha:
#1- DETOXIFICATION
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.
#2- JOINT CARE
Kombucha contains glucosamines, a strong preventive agent and treatment for several forms of arthritis.
#3- DIGESTION
It supports digestion because of its high levels of beneficial acid, probiotics and enzymes.
#4- ENERGY
Kombucha’s ability to invigorate people is credited to the formation of iron that is released from the black tea during the fermentation process. It also contains some caffeine (although in very small amounts) and b-vitamins, which can energize the body.
#5- IMMUNE BOOSTING
Kombucha is extraordinarily anti-oxidant rich, and you all know the benefits of anti-oxidants for boosting your immune system and energy levels.
#6- CANCER PREVENTION
Kombucha is also beneficial for cancer prevention and recovery. A study published in Cancer Letters found that consuming glucaric acid found in Kombucha reduced the risk of cancer in humans.
#7- WEIGHT LOSS
It is said that kombucha also improves metabolism and limits fat accumulation.
I have personally tried a few brands and flavors myself and I have to say that it takes a little adjusting to the taste and effervescence. I have found one that I like and it’s the GT’S multigreen (http://synergydrinks.com). Happy drinking:-)
