Kombucha is basically a healthy, overpriced fermented tea. It’s got all the health benefits that come with drinking tea, but it also has probiotics. Probiotics provide the gut with healthy bacteria that is essential (especially for women) for improving digestion, inflammation, and weight loss. It is particularly known for its antibacterial properties that fight infection-causing bacteria like Candida yeasts. Additionally, it contains many antioxidants that reduce liver toxicity caused by toxic chemicals (such as alcohol) by around 70%. So why isn’t everyone drinking kombucha?
Well, for many people, the taste and smell of kombucha is pretty repulsive. It has the taste of a sour soda. A friend of mine described it as a “cherry soda mixed with salad dressing.” So clearly kombucha isn’t for everyone. Those who don’t mind or even like the taste usually drink it more so for the benefits rather than its flavor. A fellow kombucha drinker mentioned, “I really like kombucha. I’m all about the probiotics.” The benefits are overwhelming for your body and mind… all you have to do is get over the taste or learn to love it as I did.
Companies know the taste isn’t the best — I mean you’re literally drinking live bacteria — so they sugarcoat the drink by flavoring it with everything from raspberry to lemon ginger. Some have even added another health trend ingredient to the mix: chia seeds! The most popular brands are GT’s Enlightened Organic Raw Kombucha and Kevita Master Brew Kombucha because they are both low in sugar and 100% organic. If you’re looking for a range of flavors, it’s better to go for GT’s, but if you’re looking for one with more caffeine and live cultures go for Kevita’s. Once you get past the fizzy and funky flavor, you’ll find there is a kombucha drink out there for everybody.
Lucky for us, Kevita Master Brew Kombucha is available at any convenience store here on campus. Your health is heavily dependent on what you eat and drink, so swipe your BUID and start soaking up the benefits of this incredible juice elixir.