Mother Nature is truly the world's best doctor and we turn to her for nourishment and vitality for our body, mind, and soul. However, we are slowly losing our connection to Her and her abundant earthly gifts through our fast-fooding and busy schedules. The ultimate intention for the world should be for all people to rekindle, nurture, and love their way back to Mother (Earth). When we root ourselves deeply in nature, we tap into a mindful vibration that guides us to more enlightened ways to care for our bodies naturally. Food as Medicine is a concept that has been around for millennia. In traditional cultures, food, medicine, and our bodies are strongly interwoven and connected somatically.
Many special foods, flowers, and herbs are known to have natural healing properties in treating and preventing disease. Sugar and Soda are not included in Food As Medicine!
Eat, Think, and Ultimately Live our Way Back to Nature.
Soda remains to be the single most significant source of calories in the American diet, with more being consumed daily by the average American than any other calorie-dense processed food. Soda has become so easily and widely available that what once was an occasional treat has become a part of the all-day daily diet.
The truth is, that soda is nothing more than a toxic concoction of artificial sweeteners, synthetic flavorings, high-fructose sugars, preservatives, and chemical additives.
Numerous studies associate soda consumption with conditions such as dental erosion, chronic inflammation in the body, increased peptic ulcer attacks, increased risk for stroke in women, and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
As soon as the soda is consumed, the pancreas is notified and rapidly begins to create insulin in response to the sugar. Insulin is a hormone the body uses to move sugar from food or drink into the bloodstream, where cells are then able to use sugar for energy. Within just 20 minutes, blood sugar levels spike and the liver responds to the insulin by turning sugar into fat for storage. Within 45 minutes of consumption of a single 20-ounce glass of soda, caffeine from the drink is fully absorbed, and as a result, your pupils dilate and blood pressure rises. The body then produces even more dopamine, which stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain — similar to a low-grade line of cocaine. This is why it is so addictive. After about an hour of consumption, 'the crash' begins.
The body begins to experience a blood sugar crash, which is around the same time a person craves their second soda fix. Soda consumption is directly connected to the obesity epidemic, in fact, Harvard researchers have calculated each additional soda consumed increases the risk of obesity by 1.6 times. Further, children have an astonishing 80% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes if they become regular soda drinkers. Their future will tragically be full of kidney problems, reproductive issues, osteoporosis, asthma, and bad teeth with dissolved tooth enamel. Sugar has also been linked to worsening conditions such as hyperactivity, ADHD, and children on the Autism Spectrum.
Ditch the Soda and Get Addicted to the Good Stuff- Kombucha!
What is Kombucha?
Kombucha, the “Immortal Health Elixir", as the ancient Chinese call it, has been around for more than 2,000 years and has a rich anecdotal history of health benefits like preventing and fighting cancer, arthritis, and other degenerative diseases. Made from sweetened tea that has been fermented by a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (a 'SCOBY', a.k.a. “mother” because of its ability to reproduce, or “mushroom” because of its appearance). The drink has a slight effervescence and sweet-tart flavor and often has small remnants of the bacteria mix floating in it, BUT DON'T PANIC if you see it…it's normal fermentation and probiotics all good stuff for your gut health. It is not much different from finding some fermentation sediment in your wine.
Kombucha Contains:
Probiotics
Polyphenols
B-Vitamins
Vitamin C
Organic Enzymes
Vital Amino Acids
Organic Acids
Kombucha is made up of living cultures of beneficial microorganisms. It is highly acidic and contains natural sources of sugar, B vitamins, and antioxidants, as well as some alcohol that results from the fermentation process. It has about 30 calories per 8 oz (mainly from the natural sugar), which is considerably less than other sodas and again, natural.
One of Kombucha’s greatest health benefits is its ability to detox the body. Detoxification produces healthy livers and aids cancer prevention. It is rich in many of the enzymes and bacterial acids your body produces and uses to detox your system, thus reducing your pancreatic load and easing the burden on your liver. Kombucha is very high in glucaric acid, and recent studies have shown that glucaric acid could help to prevent cancer.
Kombucha can replace yogurt or kefir as a probiotic in your diet if you prefer to be dairy-free. Kombucha is also helpful in that it aids in energy production and detoxification. Kombucha also supports tissue growth and balances intestinal flora. Healthy flora is essential for preventing stomach and intestinal issues during exercise, therefore Kombucha is vital to fueling the health and stamina of athletes. Whether you are a hiker, a biker, a Gym Bunny, or a pro ball player, Kombucha is your pre and post-workout juice...naturally.
Photo Credit: PA Eats
KOMBUCHA ME! BUT WHERE CAN I BUY IT??
You can usually find Kombucha in your local health food or grocery stores like Target, Vons, Stater Bros, Walmart, and Amazon. A few yummy favorites are GTs brands that offer delish flavors such as Gingerberry, Mystic Mango, and Grape Chia. Brew Dr. also serves up a fun assortment of flavors marketed with kitschy names such as Superberry, Clear Mind, and Love- all winners. PLUS their Mission to the global community and the planet takes so good!
You can also be super adventurous and try making it at home.
Here's a great recipe with detailed, safe instructions from #WellnessMama for DIY Kombucha. https://wellnessmama.com/2673/kombucha-recipe/
Only drink homemade Kombucha if you are certain it has been properly brewed and always opt for reputable, commercial brands when buying it bottled. WARNING: Children, pregnant or nursing women and those with compromised immune system disorders should drink only the pasteurized kind of Kombucha and of course consult with your nutritionist or doctor before consuming anything (albeit 'natural') as it may interact with medications.
The general consensus seems to be that with regular, daily consumption, you’ll notice an improvement in immune system functioning, energy levels, joint health, digestion, and overall mind-body health. Kombucha was a $1.2 billion market in 2018 and is projected to grow to more than $3.5 billion by 2025. Kombucha and its vital health benefits are here to stay!