Kombucha: The Elixir of Life
Kombucha, the elixir of life that originated around 400 BC, is one of today’s most popular health beverages. But why the hype? Well, it’s because of kombucha’s health benefits.
I first discovered kombucha a few years ago when I was searching for a natural cure for acne and other health issues. I stumbled upon it at Whole Foods and fell in love with the taste of kombucha at first sip. This led to a kombucha addition. After regularly consuming kombucha, I noticed that I rarely got sick, my skin cleared up, and it helped with my weight management.
So when I heard fellow Houston Food Blogger Collective member, Anisha Anand, was teaching a Make Your Own Kombucha Workshop, I immediately signed up! Anisha Anand is personal wellness chef at Heartful Earth Cuisine. She studied Nutrition for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at UCSF, completed the Nutritional Leadership program with Dr. Joshua Axe, and trained in the Culinary RX program with the Rouxbe Cooking School. With all those credentials, I knew I was in good hands!
Renia Butler, Houston Food Blogger Collective President, tasting kombucha samples (top right)
The content I’m sharing with you is from Anisha Anand’s Make Your Own Kombucha Workshop handout.
This is for informational purpose only.
What is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented beverage of black tea and sugar made using a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY).
Why should I drink Kombucha and consume fermented foods?
- They are loaded with probiotics and enzymes for gut health and digestion
- Impact and may help with mental clarity
- Impact and may stabilize mood
- Aid the body in detoxing
- Have compounds that may promote joint health
- Have high levels of anti-oxidants
- Can help boost energy levels
- They can also help with inflammation, skin conditions, digestive issues, autoimmune conditions, and weight regulation.
Microbiome, Gut Bacteria, Probiotics, and Prebiotics: What are they?
Our body is home to microorganisms that help keep our body functioning and help protect it from disease. These microbes, mostly bacteria are collectively known as the human microbiome. The human microbiome consists of about 100 trillion microbial cells, outnumbering human cells 10 to 1. The association between the microbiome and human health is one of the hottest topics of scientific research right now.
The word “probiotic” is a compound of two Greek words: “pro” to signify promotion and of and “biotic,” which means life. Probiotic foods include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and cultured vegetables like sauerkraut and kimchi.
Prebiotics are the foods and nutrients that feed the friendly bacteria in your microbiome or induce their growth in our guts. They include asparagus, carrots, garlic, jicama, leeks, okra, onion, radishes, and sunchokes.
The bacteria in your microbiome may influence your healthy by:
- Strengthening your immune system
- Producing vitamins
- Reducing inflammation
- Impacting genetic expression
- Improving metabolism
- Controlling caloric absorption
- Guiding your brain
Seriously, who doesn’t want all of those amazing health benefits!
Kombucha’s Potential Side Effects/Disclaimer
There may be some side effects due to detoxing. That means you might make frequent trips to the bathroom until your body gets used to the kombucha. It’s best to limit your intake to 1 ounce per day then graduate to 4-6 ounces after your body gets used to the kombucha. If you have candida, leaky gut syndrome, very poor immune systems or are pregnant, consult with your physician and medical practitioner. Keep in mind, kombucha is a healthy beverage and by no means a replacement for medical treatment.
Taste and See for Yourself
For those who have never tried kombucha, I highly recommend GT’s Synergy Organic Kombucha. It’s low in sugar and tastes great. Kombucha is an acquired taste! If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, you might wrinkle your nose at first. Stick with the fruit-based flavored kombuchas then graduate to the ones with the lowest sugar content. Oh and don’t worry, the store bought kombucha will not have the SCOBY!
I’m still in the process of making my first batch of homemade kombucha. Once I feel comfortable with making kombucha on my own, I will share the recipe with you with detailed photos and step by step process. Until then, check out these links to learn more about kombucha and about Heartful Earth Cuisine.
- 7 Reasons to Drink Kombucha Everyday
- 22 Amazing Ways Kombucha Can Help Heal You
- 10 Things You Need to Know About Your Microbiome
- Seven Foods to Supercharge Your Gut Bacteria
- Heartful Earth Cuisine
I hope this information will help you on your journey to health and abundant living! I’ll continue to share more posts on anti-inflammatory foods too!
Thank you, Anisha Anand, for teaching me the art of kombucha! I really enjoyed your workshop.
Go taste and see for yourself and let me know what you think!
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