Kombucha – Why You Should Drink It

Kombucha is a fermented beverage that provides drinkers with a wide range of health benefits from digestive support to joint care. I have been brewing kombucha for over six years now (my first batch was about a year before Monkey Man was born). All these years later I am still an avid kombucha brewer and consumer and recommend it to my clients in herb clinic and my students as well. Find out why you should start drinking kombucha today!

All About Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented black tea beverage, consisting of black tea, sugar and water, transformed into a wonderful digestive tonic through the use of a specific starter culture. This culture is often referred to as a SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast), but the term kombucha mushroom can also be heard. The history of kombucha is uncertain, but it most likely hailed from Northeastern China, then making its way to Russia in the early 1900’s. From there the brewing of kombucha spread to Europe and finally making it way over to North America.

Health Benefits of Kombucha Tea

It is important to note that while there have been very few scientific research studies completed on the health benefits of kombucha, there is over 2000 years of tradition and therefore anecdotal evidence of its health benefits.

Digestion and Gut Health

Due to the natural fermentation process (thanks to the live cultures of bacteria and yeast), kombucha is full of probiotics and enzymes. This helps to improve digestion and help fight off the overgrowth of harmful bacteria. People have noted an increase in mental clarity and stabilization of their mood through continued use of probiotics and probiotic beverages such as kombucha. It should also be noted that kombucha could therefore be useful in cases of depression, fibromyalgia and anxiety.
It is a natural digestive tonic as well, actually assisting in the digestion of your meal by breaking down proteins and other nutrients in your food.
Kombucha also contains small amounts of lactic acid. This creates an environment that is helpful to the health bacteria and less friendly to the harmful guys.

Detoxification

Thanks to the presence of glucaric acid, kombucha is a gentle, but effective liver cleanser. Our liver is our body’s filter and is tasked with eliminating environmental toxins and pollutants as well as excess hormones (including phytoestrogens which are everywhere in our society!)

Joint Care

Anyone suffering from arthritis has most likely heard of glucosamine, a substance that increased the production of synovial hyaluronic acid. This in turn helps to preserve collagen and cartilage and reduces pain. Kombucha naturally contains glucosamine.

Immune Boosting

Kombucha is rich in anti-oxidants (even more so if you brew it using some rosehip tea in addition to your black tea), which can help to boost your immune system by reducing inflammation and oxidative damage in the body.
Having healthy and functioning digestive system is vital to immune health as it can often serve as a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Kombucha consumption will help to keep this in check.

Interested in brewing your own Kombucha? Check out my post here for detailed instructions on how to make your own from the comfort of your home.

Peace,

P.S. Pin for later use ;-}