Pearls of Wisdom

Kombucha (pronounced kom-bu-cha) is a fermented tea that has long been used as a tonic or elixir that brings about better health and wellness.  The earliest documentation of kombucha being used dates back as far as the Chin Dynasty in ancient China around 221 BC.  However there are many other cultures around the world that have long used kombucha including Mongolia, India, Japan and Russia!  Sometimes mistaken for a mushroom, kombucha is a probiotic culture that is rich in B-vitamins, enzymes and amino acids.  The drink is usually made by combining tea, sugar and the kombucha culture.  As the fermentation process takes place, what you are left with is a drink that is rich in essential nutrients and low in sugar.  Here are some of the many benefits of drinking kombucha:

1.  Kombucha is rich source of healthy probiotics.  Probiotics or healthy bacteria can be obtained by eating fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, miso and kimchee.  These beneficial bacteria aid in digestion and promote overall well being.

2.  Kombucha has long been used for it’s detoxifying effects.  The beneficial amino acids in kombucha include acetic, glucuronic, lactic and malic acids.  These compounds have been shown to promote healthy liver function.

3.  Kombucha contains live enzymes.  Enzymes are essential for normal metabolic function.  There are literally thousands of different enzymes at work in our bodies.  The malfunction of just one enzyme can lead to chronic disease and illness.

4.  Rich in antioxidants.  Kombucha contains a wide variety of polyphenols or plant antioxidants.  Antioxidants fight off the stress caused by free radicals.  Free radicals are largely responsible for the aging process.

5.  Kombucha is a great alternative to drinking soda.  Low in sugar, but rich in flavor, kombucha is lightly carbonated due to the fermentation process.  The best part about kombucha is that it is available at your local health food store like Henry’s or Whole Foods!

This entry was posted on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 7:00 am and is filed under Kung Fu Kickboxing MMA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.