Kombucha, kombucha, kombucha! It’s a fermented tea that’s supposed to be spectacular for gut health,
and here lately, it’s become just as much of a buzzword in the wellness industry as, self-care, meditation, and avocado toast. But what is it really and why should it be important to you?

For those of you who aren’t familiar with this popular drink, it is a fermented tea primarily made with black, red,
or green tea and a sweetener as its foundational ingredients. Now, I know you’re probably thinking, “What’s
so special about this? It sounds just like any other tea AND, how can it be healthy if one of its key
ingredients is a sweetener?” I’m getting to that part…

In addition to the tea of your choosing and sugar, there is a “magical” component of kombucha that
makes it different from all other tea drinks. I jokingly refer to it as an amoeba, because it looks so weird to most people, but it is called a “SCOBY.” SCOBY stands for, symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts, and it’s usually
fashioned into the shape of a disc. This SCOBY is placed in the jar in which the kombucha is made and it sits for a designated period of time, generally 7-14 days, until the fermentation process has been completed.

One of the biggest benefits of kombucha is that it works as a probiotic and it’s great for gut health, which you all know where I stand on gut health. Plus if taking pills is not your thing, this is a healthy supplemental alternative to probiotic pills. A healthy gut is essential to everything else in the body working properly! Kombucha aids in digestion and some research has shown that it can aid in reducing cancer, inflammation, and it also promotes healthy liver function and weight loss!

On the flip side, just like anything else, there can be some drawbacks to consuming this drink.

• Kombucha isn’t pasteurized – it runs the risk of being susceptible to the growth of other types of bacteria
  that may not be as healthy for you. Proper preparation is necessary.
• It  contains FODMAPS – Fermentable Oligo-saccharides, Disaccharides, Mono-saccharides, and Polyol, which are specific types of carbohydrates. In certain people, these carbs can work against your digestive system and cause gastrointestinal issues.
• Excess sugars – If not made properly, kombucha can also contain excessive amounts of sugar, and may have an adverse reaction to those who deal with yeast overgrowth or inflammation due to sugar consumption. This is something you have to pay attention to when observing labels or making your own.

Overall, while some may need to exercise caution before consuming kombucha, it can be a very healthy
drink for most people. The good thing is, because of its recent popularity, you can find it almost anywhere! It comes in different flavors and strengths. While the taste for some, can be an acquired one, you can often find one that’s delicious with a little bit of trial and error! So pick up a bottle the next time you’re out and let me know what you think!

Did Someone Say Kombucha???

If you are like me and you love to save money and learn how to create all of this healthy deliciousness yourself, join our class this evening, where I teach you how to make your very own kombucha for pennies on the dollar. You even get to create a variety of flavors and strengths. Click here for more info.