Kombucha Tea--An Ancient Elixir

Oct. 17, 2012

Kombucha tea may sound new and unfamiliar to many, but it is something that has actually been around for more than 2,000 years! In fact, the ancient Chinese called kombucha the “Immortal Health Elixir.” One might ask that if kombucha has been around for so long, why have so many people never heard of it? The simple answer is that kombucha has somewhat of an acquired taste, similar to the taste of vinegar. Kombucha tea is a fermented tea; it is fermented from sugar, tea (usually green or black tea), and a live starter. A common misconception is that the kombucha live starter is a mushroom—it is in fact not a mushroom but a combination of beneficial bacteria and yeast (also known as SCOBY "Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast"). Kombucha tea is a natural beverage, the live starter gives kombucha probiotics, antioxidants, amino acids, B vitamins, and enzymes. Probiotics are the 'friendly' healthy bacteria that are essential for digestive support and gut health. Inside each of us there are billions of these bacteria, and while that is a large amount, they are diminished by antibiotics, stress, and poor diet. Therefore, proper replenishment of probiotics is essential to good health. These healthy bacteria help to digest our food, minimize bad bacteria, produce lactase (the enzyme important in the digestion of milk), to help produce some B vitamins and vitamin K, and enhance immunity.

Antioxidants are substances that protect the cells of our body from free radical damage. Free radicals are produced in the body in the normal course of energy production, but they can also come from stress, chemicals, smoke, pollution, and junk foods. Some scientists are now linking free radical damage to nearly every known disease. Antioxidants, which are produced in the body and occur naturally in many foods, work together in the body to maintain our health and combat these harmful free radicals. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and protein is used in every system of the body. It is protein that makes up enzymes, our muscles, and every part of our body. Without proper amino acids, the body would not be able to run properly and death would result. There are two groups of amino acids: essential and nonessential. While all of the amino acids are essential to our health, eight of them are termed 'essential' because the body cannot produce them by itself, and thus these amino acids must be obtained through diet. Nonessential amino acids refer to the amino acids that the body can produce by itself. B vitamins are water-soluble vitamins that are important for healthy metabolism, immune functioning, nervous system functioning, cell division, and healthy skin, nails, and hair. B vitamins have also been linked to helping improve moods. Enzymes are specialized living proteins that are required by all living processes of the body. They are necessary for every chemical reaction; for all normal activity of the organs, tissues, and cells; and for the production of energy. Certain enzymes also help to digest and assimilate food, while others help the body to get rid of toxins. Without enzymes, our bodies could not operate.

As these paragraphs show, kombucha can be a great way to get substances that are vital to a healthy body. Listed below are 21 ways in which kombucha can help improve your health, and therefore your life! Please remember that the benefits you experience may vary from person to person. Kombucha tea can:

Alkalize the body – balances internal pH
Detoxify the liver – happy liver = happy mood
Increase metabolism – rev your internal engine
Improve digestion – keep your system moving
Rebuild connective tissue – help with arthritis, gout, asthma, rheumatism
Aid in cancer prevention
Alleviate constipation
Boost energy – help with chronic fatigue
Reduce blood pressure
Relieve headaches & migraines
Reduce kidney stones
High in antioxidants – destroy free-radicals that cause cancer
High in polyphenols – antioxidants
Improve eyesight
Heal eczema – can be applied topically to soften the skin
Prevent artheriosclerosis – a disease where plaque builds up inside the arteries.
Speed healing of ulcers – kill h.pylori on contact
Help clear up candida & yeast infections
Aid healthy cell regeneration
Reduce grey hair
Lower glucose levels – prevent spiking from eating

Sources: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-5251/22-Amazing-Ways-Kombucha-Can-Help-Heal-You.html http://bodyecology.com/articles/kombucha_benefits_and_drawbacks.php