Hey loves, Happy Thursday! Today I want to discuss what is kombucha and some health benefits of kombucha.  I am also sharing a new way that I have been enjoying it lately. I found out about kombucha almost three years ago.

It was recommended to me by someone I worked with. She told me about a family member who was dealing with some serious health issues. She also mentioned how kombucha was very helpful to her.

So, I googled the benefits. You got to love to google. Am I right? lol. I have been hooked ever since. I am not a doctor or a nutritionist. I am just sharing my experience. I recommend you run this by your doctor first before you add it to your diet.

What is Kombucha?

Well, great question.  It is basically a fermented tea.  We all know how beneficial teas are to us right?

I guess you can say kombucha is a type of tea with a twist to it.  It is not your regular tea.

Health Benefits of Kombucha

According to Leech (2018) on Healthline, Kombucha provides eight proven health benefits.

I will share the six of Leech (2018) that stood out to me. Here they are  as follow:

Kombucha may include probiotics

Kombucha may have some of the same benefits as green tea

Kombucha may contain antioxidants

Kombucha may kill bacteria

Kombucha may decrease heart disease risk

Kombucha may help individuals with type 2 diabetes

If you would like to research more about kombucha, check out this article too by WellnessMama. It is a very detailed article on the benefits and cons of kombucha.

Wellness Mama discussed how kombucha may help with:

 To support the detoxification of the liver

Better energy

Improved digestion

Help your body absorb nutrients better.

Now lets talk about my personal experiences with kombucha.

Three health benefits of kombucha I have experienced

high energy levels

immune support

improved gut health.

I can last longer during my workouts due to the increase of energy levels.

It provides good support to my immune system during this crazy weather in Texas. I barely get sick.

It is full of probiotics (they need a blog post of their own). When I drink it consistently, it does wonder for my skin. This is probably due to the probiotics (gut health) and the detoxification of the liver.

I had to reduced to drinking it a few times a week due to the carbonation of it causing bloat. I know there are other ways to get probiotics. Sometimes, I just have that itch for some good ole kombucha by GTS Synergy.

I have tried a few but I always find my way back to the Gingerberry by GTS Synergy. It is not so much the taste. The berry does help the taste out but it is still an acquired taste. There are some flavors that I will give higher points in the tasting category.

It is something about the combination of ginger (needs it own blog post) mixed with probiotics & the tea that does something for my body as soon as I drink it. I initially feel better.

Even though there are a lot of benefits associated with kombucha, there are a couple of cons.

Cons of Kombucha

As I stated earlier, bloat may happen due to the carbonation.

Alcohol has naturally occurred during the fermentation process. The level is very low but it is there. If you are sensitive to alcohol, this may be a con for you and you may want to avoid it.

Different ways I enjoy drinking kombucha.

You can catch me sipping on a cup of kombucha with a good book

Enjoying a cup of kombucha while listening to some Mozart, Sade, or other relaxing music in the background

Catching a nice breeze sitting outside in my back yard with a cup of kombucha with a few berries in it

Indulging in a bowl of fruit with a cup of kombucha after a long day

I wanted to try kombucha differently. Hence, the reason for this post. I never thought to try kombucha in a smoothie.

I was like, heck, I put everything else in a smoothie. I wonder how this would be in one.  So, here goes. I present to you, Blueberry kombucha smoothie.

Blueberry Kombucha Smoothie

Quick recipe

Do you drink kombucha? Do you have any benefits to share? Do you have any favorite flavors to recommend?

Off to enjoy this smoothie and watch The Ozark on Netflix.  Ozark has been my latest Netflix addiction.  I love Jason Batman in everything he acts in.

I remember him when I was younger from Teen Wolf.  I have been a fan for a long time.  I mean, he has my husband and I cracking up in his movies and shows lol.

One of my daughters watch his show Arrested Development all the time.

As always, if you have any suggestions for Netflix that I can add to my list, do share in the comments.

Until next time

Sources:

https: //wellnessmama.com/23994/kombucha-benefits/

Leech (J). 2018. 8 Evidence -Based Health Benefits of Kombucha. Retrieved from https: //www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-benefits-of-kombucha-tea#section3