KOMBUCHA!

Kombucha is a huge craze right now but seriously this is some awesome stuff.

I love it and I crave it…almost daily! My 2 year old also looooves it.

So today I’ve asked Erin Gautheir Nutrition to give me the goods on Kombucha and why it’s so darn good for you.

Here’s what Erin has to say: Kombucha is a fermented drink dating way back. Its old. I mean really old. We’re talking ancient China old. Although the origin is not certain, it is thought to have been developed as an elixir of longevity back in Qin Dynasty (220BC). 

It is made by brewing tea (black or green) plus sugar and then adding a culture.

Sometimes called mushroom tea, kombucha is not actually made from a mushroom. The magic ingredient is a “Scoby” (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) and that is what transforms the tea and sugar into the fizzy fermented drink.

Like most fermented foods kombucha has a long list of healthy side effects. Most notably it acts on our gut bacteria and the digestive process. This is why I refer to it as a dance party for your gut. A healthy gut produces B vitamins, neurotransmitters, like serotonin the feel good hormone (or happy dance maker). A healthy gut allows for improved cellular communication and regulates the immune system.

Over the past decade, popular science journals have been linking a healthy gut microbiota, to a host of disease preventatives and an increase in over all wellness and longevity.

I remember in the early 90’s my aunt from Florida came for a visit, and she brought with her, this “mushroom-type-thingy” that was going to revitalize our health. I remember the ritual of brewing tea, adding that alien looking mushroom like thing, and fermenting the substance for a whole week. I remember the anticipation of that first taste of a less than appealing looking drink. I remember plugging my nose and taking it like a shot of tequila. I also remember gaging. But I have to admit, even though kombucha is considered an acquired taste, it didn’t take long for my teenage palate to adjust, and soon I found myself complaining less and secretly liking it more.

Fast forward to the present day, kombucha has found a niche on commercial shelves, and the flavour profiles have been crafted, thank goodness. With the popularity of kombucha hitting mainstream grocery stores it has never been easier to make kombucha a daily habit. Kombucha is not only a source of beneficial cultures, antioxidants, and flavonoids, but it offers a bubbly effervescence, light and refreshing thirst quencher that you can feel good about drinking.

If you haven’t tried Kombucha yet, definitely do so.

It’s perfect for a hot summers day…which we should be seeing shortly (fingers crossed!)

Ps.  if you are looking for more ways to improve your gut health and get ride of bloating be sure to check out my 5 Day Reset Diet –> LOSE THE BLOAT