WELLBEING
KOMBUCHA
WHATS IT ALL ABOUT?
Kombucha has almost cult following in the USA, Australia and New Zealand and is currently growing in popularity in the UK but what is it and why is it becoming so popular? Kombucha is not new, in fact it was originally brewed back in 221BC by a Korean doctor called Kombu. Dr. Kombu was asked to treat the Japanese Emperor Inyoko who was suffering from a severe stomach complaint. Dr. Kombu brewed up a fermented green tea drink to treat the Emperor with and the Japanese word for tea is Cha, hence the name Kombu’s Cha or Kombucha. Dr. Kombu successfully treated the Emperor with his ‘Kombucha’ and he made a rapid recovery. The
beverage became so popular afterwards that Samurai warriors carried it with them in hip flasks and drank it before going into battle, as they believed it gave them lots of energy. Known by the Chinese and Russians as ‘The Elixir of Life’ there have been many anecdotal stories of how people have felt the benefits of Kombucha but there are no secrets about why this is the case. Most people will know the benefits of Green Tea and this is the base for Kombucha, however the fermentation process steps it up a gear and takes it to the next level! If you are looking for an alternative to sugary drinks that are not full of preservatives, e-numbers, additives and emulsifiers and you want to improve your gut health, then Kombucha ticks every single box. Kombucha is thought to be beneficial for people who are suffering from inflammatory problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, arthritis, gout and may help the fight against cancer. Kombucha compliments any diet and it is great for kids. It is low in sugar, 100% natural and is only on average around 45 calories per bottle.
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