Kombucha – Healthy gut healthy mind

What is this thing called Kombucha?

Though kombucha is all the rage right now, it’s hardly a new kid on the block. The tea dates back 2,000 years to ancient China where it was regularly consumed to remedy inflammatory ailments such as arthritis and was also thought to ward off cancer. More recently, kombucha enthusiasts have used the beverage claiming it has benefits from clearing acne, relieving fatigue, hypertension, headaches, and constipation.

You will see it in health food shops, many grocery stores and even in some cafe’s and restaurants these days, many also featuring other fermented foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi. All kinds of people, from health nuts to celebrities to chefs, are becoming more conscious of the benefits of consuming foods and beverages rich in healthy probiotics.  The probiotics we are aiming to benefit from are tiny micro-oganisms similar to the “good bacteria” naturally found in our intestines. Research has found consuming probiotics can help combat colds, lower cholesterol and promote healthy gut bacteria, assisting to alleviate issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhoea, and food allergies.

Although kombucha’s purported benefits sound impressive, as of right now, unfortunately studies have only been performed on our rodent friends although the existing results sound promising. One study found rats that had drunk the fermented beverage and were subsequently exposed to stress produced more antioxidants and had less DNA damage than their tea-free mates. Plus, kombucha actually reversed the damaging effects of stress on their immune systems. Related research found that kombucha also prevented the reduction of antioxidants in stressed out rats. Some experts also suggest that kombucha is a good source of B vitamins, known to assist the regulation of our metabolism as well as contribute to a healthy heart, skin and nails.

When I decided to create this post I had just collected my next weeks supply of Grateful Harvest Kombucha from my local health food shop and a new bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar as I always start the day with these two mixed together (the apple cider vinegar mixes really well with the ginger flavoured kombucha).  I usually mix about 2/3rds of a cup of the kombucha with 2 teaspoons of the Apple Cider Vinegar first thing in the morning (after water and before food) so that they have the maximum opportunity to do my gut some good before I create the extra work for it with my coffee! Unfortunately, when I started researching the Kombucha I found that there was no actual scientific evidence as yet to support the claims.  This is not unusual for popular products that are favourites within the ‘Wellness Industry’, but I do not want to be another forum making claims about things that I am not actually qualified to promote nor able to find actual published evidence on.

I have built in the highlighted links to the products I use and also added some below to a popular site that has listed the more commonly published benefits of Kombucha and Apple Cider Vinegar so I will let you research this yourselves and draw your own conclusions.  All I can say is that I have a much happier gut these days from adhering to this morning regime, which I have been following for over 12 months.  I had a break for about a month over the holiday period to see if the effect was ongoing but found that I really noticed the difference without it so I soon got back into enjoying this refreshing morning drink. Still not convinced? More information below:

Why you should be drinking kombucha

20 Unique Apple Cider Vinegar Uses and Benefits – Dr Axe