Kombucha The Immortal Elixir

Dorothy Cline, Paws Cause PR

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 continues to be the primary source of calories in the American diet, with the average American consuming more of it daily than any other calorie-rich processed food. Its easy and widespread availability has turned soda from an occasional indulgence into a staple of the daily diet.

The reality is that soda is merely a harmful mixture of artificial sweeteners, synthetic flavors, high-fructose sugars, preservatives, and chemical additives.

Many studies link soda consumption to issues like dental erosion, chronic bodily inflammation, more frequent peptic ulcer attacks, a heightened risk of stroke in women, and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Immediately after drinking soda, the pancreas is alerted and quickly starts producing insulin to handle the sugar. Insulin is a hormone that helps transport sugar from food or drink into the bloodstream, allowing cells to use it for energy. In just 20 minutes, blood sugar levels surge, prompting the liver to convert sugar into fat for storage in response to the insulin. Within 45 minutes of consuming a single 20-ounce soda, the caffeine is fully absorbed, leading to dilated pupils and increased blood pressure. The body then releases more dopamine, which activates the brain's pleasure centers, akin to a mild cocaine effect. This contributes to its addictive nature. About an hour after consumption, 'the crash' begins.

The body starts to undergo a blood sugar drop, coinciding with the time a person desires their second soda. Soda consumption is closely linked to the obesity crisis; in fact, Harvard researchers have determined that each additional soda increases the risk of obesity by 1.6 times. Moreover, children face an alarming 80% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes if they regularly consume soda. Their future may unfortunately include kidney issues, reproductive problems, osteoporosis, asthma, and dental issues such as dissolved tooth enamel. Sugar has also been associated with exacerbating conditions like hyperactivity, ADHD, and those on the Autism Spectrum.

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 combating cancer, arthritis, and other degenerative diseases. Created from sweetened tea fermented by a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (a 'SCOBY', also known as

Mother Scoby

“mother” due to its ability to reproduce, or “mushroom” because of its appearance). The beverage has a slight fizz and a sweet-tart taste, often containing small traces of the bacteria mixture floating in it, BUT DON'T PANIC if you notice it…it's normal fermentation and probiotics, all beneficial for your gut health. It's similar to finding some fermentation sediment in your wine.

Kombucha Contains:

• Probiotics

• Polyphenols

• B-Vitamins

• Vitamin C

• Organic Enzymes

• Vital Amino Acids

• Organic Acids

Kombucha consists of live cultures of beneficial microorganisms. It is very acidic and includes natural sugars, B vitamins, antioxidants, and some alcohol produced during fermentation. It contains approximately 30 calories per 8 oz (primarily from the natural sugar), which is significantly lower than other sodas and is also natural.

One of the most significant health benefits of Kombucha is its ability to detoxify the body. This detoxification supports liver health and aids in cancer prevention. Kombucha is rich in various enzymes and bacterial acids that your body produces and utilizes to cleanse your system, thereby reducing the workload on your pancreas and easing the strain on your liver. It is particularly high in glucaric acid, and recent research indicates that glucaric acid may help in cancer prevention.

If you prefer a dairy-free diet, Kombucha can serve as a probiotic alternative to yogurt or kefir. Additionally, Kombucha is beneficial for energy production and detoxification. It also promotes tissue growth and balances intestinal flora. Maintaining healthy flora is crucial for preventing digestive issues during exercise, making Kombucha essential for enhancing the health and endurance of athletes. Whether you are a hiker, cyclist, gym enthusiast, professional athlete, Marketing exec, or stay-at-home Mom, Kombucha is your natural pre and post-workout drink...naturally.

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, Grocery Outlet, 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/ 

Consume homemade Kombucha only if you are sure it has been correctly brewed, and choose reputable commercial brands when purchasing it bottled. WARNING: Children, pregnant or nursing women, and individuals with weakened immune systems should only consume pasteurized Kombucha. It's essential to consult with your nutritionist or doctor before consuming any product (even if it's 'natural') as it might interact with medications.

So, here's the deal: if you sip on this stuff every day, you'll likely notice some cool benefits like a boost in your immune system, more energy, better joint health, smoother digestion, and an overall lift in how you feel both mentally and physically. Back in 2018, the kombucha scene was already worth a whopping $1.2 billion, and it's projected to soar to over $3.5 billion by 2025. Looks like kombucha and its awesome health perks are sticking around for good!

Always trust your instincts...and your gut. It knows what your head hasn't figured out.

PAWmaste!