Kombucha, a fermented tea drink that is both refreshing and good for you, it has been consumed in Asia for thousands of years. The process to make it is relatively simple, you combine tea leaves, sugar, natural flavors and the SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast) and and let them ferment. In a period of a couple of weeks, the finished product is not only a tasty drink but it also has the added benefit of helping to improve body functions and to detoxify our system. All this while being natural and low in sugar.
It is no wonder why kombucha is one of the fastest growing drinks in the Western world as it taste great, it is low in calories and it is loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are known to improve gut health, body functioning, digestive health, mood, and energy and to build up immunities.
Kombucha has many health benefits:
1. Source of probiotics
Fermented foods such as yogurts, sauerkraut and kefir all contain live microorganisms. As kombucha is the product of fermentation, a number of probiotic bacteria are produced. At specific concentrations, probiotic bacteria can help to balance the gut microbiome in humans and improve digestion.
2. High in antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are a normal by-product in the body, but the key is to minimize their impact by having a diet rich in antioxidants. Tea, especially green tea, is rich in a group of antioxidants called polyphenols.
3. Contains vitamins and minerals
Kombucha contains vitamins and minerals which are produced when the yeast breaks down the sugars, including vitamin C and B vitamins B1, B6 and B12.