Kombucha: What’s it all about?
Kombucha: What’s it all about?
Hey Guys!
Are you ready for a new week!? I hope your #ahMAYzing month was been well, AMAZING!!! I have a new video for you and I know you’re going to love it. Please welcome…3 MINUTE THIGHS!
I challenge you to a workout command right now! Give it a shot and try not to stop. Please keep your butt off the mat the whole time and make sure your toes are facing outwards from your body. This is how you will truly activate your inner thigh muscles as well as your glutes.
Now, I want to talk about a drink that I’m really into lately. No, not a drink-drink that makes you drunk, but a probiotic drink! The tipsy part…we can get into that later. I’m talking about Kombucha! I’m sure you’ve heard about it especially since we’re all active members of the health and fitness world.
What is Kombucha?
It’s a fermented drink that is created by mixing together tea, sugar, bacteria, and yeast. It’s made by adding the colony of bacteria and yeast to sugar and tea and allowing it time to ferment. You end up with a liquid that contains vinegar as well as B vitamins.
It actually can be made at home pretty easily. All you have to do is get a “mother” culture that kind of looks like a big, flat, gelatinous pancake. This thing is called a SCOBY or a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast.
Then you combine it with tea (usually green or black tea) that’s been mixed with sugar. The sugar is what the bacteria will feed off of. Then you let it sit for about 10 days. While it brews, a thin layer of bacteria will form on top. When fermentation is complete, the new SCOBY can be scooped out and used to start other Kombucha brews, leaving the vinegary beverage below ready to drink! You’ve just got to be careful as it is easy to get the SCOBY contaminated.
My mom actually has one of these SCOBY babies at home sitting on top of the refrigerator in a jar! She was doing this way before Kombucha was “in”. Haha, funny. I should tell mommy that she’s so organic and hip!
Why is it so popular?
First you should know that Kombucha is not new. The tea dates back to 2,000 years ago in Ancient China where it was consumed as a magical elixir and thought to grant immortality! They also drank it to remedy inflammation, arthritis, and even to battle cancer. Nowadays, Kombucha lovers use it as a naturopathic remedy for anything from acne prevention, to improving the immune system, to improving liver function. These claims have not been scientifically proven so there is some skepticism to whether or not it actually works. (Especially the immortality bit…haha)
What REALLY are it’s health benefits?
Probiotics.
Fermented food like sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, and yogurt are rich in healthy bacteria that are naturally found in our intestines. The purpose of these microorganisms is to help us digest (some foods cannot be broken down without them) and also to strengthen our immune system. They also end up providing us with some nutrients during the process.
Research has shown that consuming probiotics promotes a healthy gut. So if you have irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea or other food allergies, this may be a great thing to try.
Also, Kombucha is also a perfect non-dairy alternative for people looking to ingest more probiotics without consuming animal products.
What do I think about Kombucha?
What I know about my own body is that when I have a healthy gut, and when things are moving, I feel better and much more energetic. Once after my bikini competition 2 years ago, I was so overloaded on protein that my body just wasn’t functioning so well anymore. My doctor actually told me to go to Whole Foods and buy some probiotics to drink! It did indeed help.
Some say the taste may take some getting used to, but honestly, I think it tatses kind of like a fizzy unsweetened apple cider vinegar! It’s actually quite good. It gives me the sensation of drinking soda without all the sugar and all the calories. A bottle like the one below from Clearly Kombucha has 25 calories and only 5g of sugar.
Funny story: One time I had a pretty fermented glass of Kombucha at Cafe Gratitude (the first time I ever had Kombucha) and got kind of tipsy! I even turned red and got hot! But keep in mind that I never drink, am super lightweight, and that most people do not have this unusual reaction. I am actually allergic to alcohol and one time went blind for like 5 min after trying some vodka mixed with coke. It was really scary. So my friends don’t pressure me to drink. And they shouldn’t pressure you either! Now my go-to drink at parties or get togethers is a mix of sparkling water and cranberry juice. Yum!
What do you think about Kombucha? Do you drink it? Do you like it? For those of you who are curious to try some, I recommend Clearly Kombucha. So far it’s the only one I’ve tried that doesn’t taste all alcohol-y. You can get it at your local grocery store or on Amazon here. My friends over at Clearly are extending a super awesome coupon code just for POPsters who want to try it. By the way, my fave flavor is Chai Cola.
Use code at checkout and you will get “RNSCNYAG” at checkout and you will get 40% off a case of Kombucha! Get it here.
Yay!
Hope you enjoyed this post on Kombucha and it’s health benefits. Let me know if you end up trying some and what you think!
Much love and have an AH-MAY-ZING start to your week!!
<3 Cassey
REFERENCES:
http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/healthy-drinks/what-kombucha
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/consumer-health/expert-answers/kombucha-tea/faq-20058126
33 thoughts on “Kombucha: What’s it all about?”
There are 33 comments posted by our users.
i read this blog it is so useful for me thank you
health benefits of kombucha
I love kombutcha I brew my own, I am currently using jasmine tea to make it, tastes so yummy with some strawberries in it.
Kombucha sounds very interesting! Thanks for sharing
Great video as well!
Thanks for the post! I have never heard about Kombucha before, but reading all these comments makes it seem like something I absolutely have to try! I have cut out all the diary from my diet (it makes my face break out), and being a vegetarian it is hard to make sure I get probiotics. This seems like a tasty alternative!
I love kombucha 🙂 Some of the flavors are a little weird, but some are just downright delicious. I especially love the ones with the chia seeds in them. It’s such an interesting texture and it makes me feel amazing. I haven’t started drinking it regularly because the bottles at Whole Foods are pretty pricey, but I’m definitely going to look in to making my own, especially given the potential joint pain relief (I have bad knees thanks to a combination of genetics and fallen arches; still need to go to a specialist to see what the deal is, exactly).
But yeah, if you haven’t tried it yet, don’t be scared! Just pick a flavor that sounds appealing to you and drink up.
Hey Cassey!
So this is kinda random, but you should have some kind of category on the Blogilates App for period talk. During that time of the month, sometimes it’s nice to know that you’re not alone! Something to consider…thanks!
Cassey!! Thank you for posting this blog! My uncle has been brewing kombucha at home for a little over a year and gave one of his SCOBYs to me and I’ve been brewing it ever since. I personally haven’t noticed any changes in how I feel or my overall health but he has reported that his blood pressure has gone down to a healthy level and my mother, who suffers from joint pain, has reported more flexibility and less pain. Keep on drinking!!
I really have been enjoying drinking kombucha lately. My mom has made it in the past, still had her scoby and has been making it more recently now. There’s a couple brands at our local Kroger Marketplace with different kombucha flavors. I like them 🙂
http://mumblesofbumble.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/day-3-protein-chat-yes-i-am-being-that.html
Hiya, I’ve just started a blog to document my six week fitness challenge, would love it if you checked it out!
Becky
Looks amazing! Have to try it myself. 🙂
I have tried kombucha before and hated it! I don’t know if it was the brand of drink that I didn’t like, or just the kombucha itself 🙁 I remember it had a INTENSE strong vinegar taste, and lot of big chunks in it. I think it was a texture thing for me but I didn’t even get halfway through the bottle! Maybe I should just try a different brand?
I have been wanting to try kombucha, but am super intimidated! My neighborhood Whole Foods has a kombucha bar, and the sign keeps shouting at me every time I pass it. Maybe I’ll have the courage to try it tomorrow…
CASSEY! Can you do a recipe on clean cheap eats for Kombucha? That way we have the proportions to get a SCOBY and keep making them ourselves? thanks! xoxo N
I love Kombucha, just wish it was easier to find in Ireland! I find it so refreshing!
I’m so happy that you did a post on kombucha! So thorough! I LOVE kombucha. Synergy’s Guava Goddess is my jam, but I definitely will be on the lookout for Clearly. It sounds awesome. I have heard so much conflicting info on kombucha, it’s great to hear that you love it, too. I swear that anytime my stomach feels out of whack, kombucha instantly makes me feel better. It’s magic!
I love Kombucha, it’s been my go to summer drink for a couple years now. I really love GTs!
Just ordered a case! I love kombucha and I can’t wait to try this particular brand. Thanks Cassey!
I’ve tried and never loved it. Now I’m curious about Clearly! Thanks for the info!
I love kombucha. I have IBS and it definitely helps! I tried ordering from the link but the code for 40% off isn’t working.
Oh man, I might be the only one who says this – that sounds disgusting! Haha! I mean, I’d give it a try if I pass it in the aisle one day, but don’t think I’ll be running out to try any! (My blog: http://hippotohot.blogspot.com please stop by!)
I brew my own at home, how cool that you post about it! Thanks for all you do Cassy, I love working out with you. 🙂
I LOVE KOMBUCHA! I’ve been drinking it for a few years now and the probiotics and carbonation really makes my digestive system feel better, especially since I’ve always had a sensitive stomach and some of my medications give me some minor issues with that (but since they work well enough for what they are, I really don’t want to go through medication carousel again just to to find something that doesn’t affect my stomach :P).
Funny story: My best friend and I started brewing batches of kombucha when we lived together, but we didn’t strain our last batch together before I moved out. I was visiting her this past weekend and she had a very full, robust SCOBY. I was like, did you make a new batch? And she said, “No, I was afraid to scoop it out without you!” “So that’s the batch from SIX MONTHS AGO?!” I told her it might as well be apple cider vinegar and alcohol and she should just use it as such!!!!!! 😛
This sounds very interesting! I might give it a try! x
http://mividabonitaa.blogspot.nl/
My first batch of homemade kombucha finished brewing and I tried it yesterday. I’ve tried a lot of different bottled ones and Synergy is my favorite. They have so many GREAT flavors. If you don’t brew your own I recommend trying Synergy.
I love kombucha! Lately, I’ve replaced it with water kefir, which is very similar, but much faster to make and still has all the good stuff in it.
Thanks for this overview of Kombucha. I’ve heard so much about it, but wasn’t truly sure what it had in it. I might have to give it a try. I’m always looking for ways to add more vitamins to my diet.
I have irritable bowel syndrome so I’ll definitely give it a try!
Hi!!!! Cassey you are SO amazing thank you so so so SO much for all the positivity and health you have brought into my life!!!! After some serious plateus and regressions thanks to you I have been enjoying mental and physical results from your workouts!!! Wooooo #elated!!!! <3 <3 <3
My problem area is like my muffin top in the back….if that makes sense! Your oblique exercise have helped me so much with the top half of my obliques but the lower half fat still pours out and around some to the back (sry tmi!). Anyways I was wondering if you could do a video about how to attack this area?
Thank you!!! I love you!!!!!
Just ordered some… $15 off. Thanks Cassey!
I’ve been brewing kombucha at home for almost a year now and i love it 🙂 I have a bunch of food allergies and digestive problems – I pretty much had chronic stomach pains for two years. But after I started drinking kombucha on a daily basis I am more or less normal – hardly ever any pain at all 🙂 It´s been a lifechanger!
Sooooo excited that you made this post Cassey! 😀 Thank you so much, you are amazing!
I still haven’t tried Kombucha but have heard so many great things about it and have been wanting to try it! I actually like fermented food, like kimchi and yogurt. I like how they are rich in nutrients and taste good! Thanks for explaining to us what Kombucha is and all of its great benefits!
Hi Cassey,
I googled Kombucha because I wanted to see if it is also for sale in the Netherlands/Belgium. First site I looked at was just the Dutch Wikipedia-page. But after I read it, I actually don’t want to try Kombucha anymore :-s Here is what they say;
Two scientific review articles on the health effects of kombucha concluded that the claimed health benefits of this beverage are still unproven, while there is evidence of adverse effects of kombucha beverage. Scientific literature mentions liver damage, metabolic acidosis and anthrax infections of the skin.The scientists therefore advice against drinking kombucha.
For this reason, in Belgium, the sale of drugs based on Kombucha are prohibited.
Do you anything more about this?
greetings,
Tine.
mhm Kombucha is pretty good! My mom drinks it too when she feels pretty “heavy”, especially since she’s quite sensitive. I personally think it doesn’t taste bad at all so, why not give it a try indeed.
As for todays workout..holy damn I don’t think I’ll be able to walk to school x-x Love the burn 😀