Kombucha: you either love it, or are too nervous to try it. The fizzy drink is proven to boost overall health and vitality, but the ingredients list, which includes bacteria and fermented fungi, is enough to send some people running for the hills. So can we convince you to take your first sip?
Kombucha has been used as a health elixir for thousands of years. It is thought that the drink originated in China circa 221 B.C., under the rule of the Tsin Dynasty. Known as the “Tea of Immortality,” Kombucha is thought to have traveled to Japan near 415 A.D., and was later discovered in the West. Europeans brewed kombucha until it died out near World War II, but resurfaced shortly after when Dr. Rudolph Skenlar used it to treat his German patients with cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and metabolic disorders. Since then, kombucha has made its way onto grocery store shelves, artisanal menus, and into refrigerators around the world due to thousands of thirsty consumers and home brewers.
“The living drink” has earned its nickname from the live cultures that are used to brew every batch. Kombucha culture, which is a blend of bacteria and yeasts, looks like a beige or white pancake. The culture is placed into a vat of sweetened black or green tea, and as the bacteria digests the sugar, it produces vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and healthy organic acids.
Kombucha is a biochemical powerhouse. Here’s a short list of the health benefits that the drink delivers:
- The probiotics used to ferment the drink also promote a healthy digestive system, and may help ease Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other bowel problems.
- The enzymes and acidic acid in kombucha support a healthy immune system, and may even fight harmful microbial colonies inside the body.
- This low-cholesterol drink has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Kombuchas which are made with green tea may aid weight loss efforts.
- Studies show that kombucha may play a role in managing more serious chronic conditions, like type 2 diabetes and cancer.
Drinking kombucha is an easy (and delicious) way to boost your overall health and wellness, but don’t take our word for it! Stop by The Juice Hive for a freshly brewed bottle. Once you’ve tried it, you won’t go back.
