WHAT IS KOMBUCHA?
Kombucha is a fermented tea that is made with green or black tea, sugar, and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. The culture consumes the sugar and reproduces in the solution. When left to ferment for the right amount of time the end result is a fizzy sour tonic that contains millions of beneficial microorganisms.
WHY ARE FERMENTED FOODS BENEFICIAL?
Hundreds of years ago our ancestors began experimenting with fermentation as a way to preserve food. In fact fermented foods have been a part of nearly every culture across the world. Fermentation is the process of harnessing the beneficial microorganisms that are present in our world to create the right conditions to prevent spoilage. In that process these microorganisms not only preserve our food but also keep us inoculated with the right flora that contribute to our gut microbiome. This flora, particularly bacteria, provides a service: they help us digest food, provide nutrients, and make up the majority of our immune system, which 70% is found in our gut. On top of eating a healthy diet rich in fiber, fermented foods can directly contribute to the health of our gut. The gut microbiome has been a unknown mystery for a long time but through research we're beginning to understand the direct connection between the gut microbiome and our overall health.
