What You Need to Know About Drinking Kombucha

We constantly hear about what to eat, what not to eat, what to drink, and what not to drink. Exercise fads go in and out, so it's hard to know sometimes what’s best for your body. We've heard about the benefits of coffee, red wine, quinoa and kale. We know about yoga, kickboxing and cross fit. So what about Kombucha? Whether you're familiar with this trendy, fizzy, fermented drink or not, it's alive and kicking. And has been for over 2000 years.

What exactly is Kombucha?

Kombucha is a tea that originated in China over 2000 years ago. Though it's also used in beauty products and medical treatments, it's a natural occurring, naturally carbonated, fermented food/tea and has amazing health benefits. The benefits of kombucha are many and that is exactly why so many people are gravitating to it now.

And what are these benefits?

For those who drink kombucha on a daily basis, they report some of these benefits and more:

• Improved digestion
• Weight loss
• Increased energy
• Detox and cleansing
• Stronger immune system
• Mental clarity

There is also some evidence that it can help to reduce joint pain and even prevent some cancers. Kombucha contains high amounts of B-Vitamins and enzymes, along with probiotics. All of these add to the health benefits. It's also much better for you than drinking soda or other artificially enhanced and processed drinks or drinks with high amounts of sugar.

Here are a few reasons for some of the benefits. For improved Digestion, the probiotics and yeast that kombucha contains helps to keep your gut healthy and aids digestion.

Many people feel that weight loss is a benefit and the reason is that kombucha can help stimulate metabolism and regulate body systems. It has been known to aid in weight loss. There is no scientific evidence to back this, but many people would argue that it is definitely worth a try for weight loss.

How to drink Kombucha

Some people make their own kombucha, but if you're not up for that, plenty of markets sell it now, and in plenty of flavors. How you drink it is up to you, some prefer to sip on it throughout the day, other people drink it like anything else. Your first sip may be a little odd, but it will grow on you. Remember, it does contain a trace amount of alcohol because of the fermentation process, but nothing to worry about. However, think about before giving it to children. Some have no qualms about letting their children drink it; others don't promote it because of the tiny bit of alcohol and the amount of caffeine. If you're thinking about it, do a little more research and make your own decision. For the same reason, pregnant and breast feeding women should be wary of it.

Are there side effects?

There have been some cases with serious side effects after drinking kombucha. However, that is certainly not the norm. Some people do feel a bit odd after drinking the drink at first, and that is what some people call the Healing Crisis. What's happening is basically the body is purging the bad - the toxins and the things it shouldn't have in it. Experts recommend that if you are going to drink kombucha on a regular basis as a healing drink, start small. That means just a few ounces at first per day, not bottles and bottles, and supplement with lots of water. This will make the detox process much easier and let the body know what's happening. If you do drink too much at first, some symptoms may be things like:

• Restlessness
• Muscle cramps
• Diarrhea
• Headaches

These should be temporary and if you take it slow and drink plenty of water, you should be able to skip this altogether.

So whether you decide to buy a bottle from your local Whole Foods or you're going to set off to brew it yourself, look forward to feeling better after you sip on this fizzy drink. If you are going to make this yourself, read the facts and do it the right way. Look forward to a clear mind and healthy body, and you may never drink another soda again!

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