I ferment everyday. These are three fermented drinks that are highly nutritional and beneficial for all: Kombucha, Water Kefir & Raw Apple Cider Vinegar.
(search blog for how to make or buy at your farmer’s market!)
KOMBUCHA
Kombucha is high in B-vitamins, antioxidants, and glucaric acids, which is helpful in preventing and fighting cancer, arthritis, and other degenerative diseases.
Help to detox the liver: One of kombucha’s greatest health benefits is its ability to detox the body. It is rich in many of the enzymes and bacterial acids your body produces and/or 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 studies have shown that glucaric acid helps prevent cancer.
Joints: Kombucha contains glucosamines, a strong preventive and treatment all forms of arthritis. Glucosamines increase synovial production. Hyaluronic acid functions physiologically to aid preservation of cartilage structure and prevent arthritic pain, with relief comparable to NSAIDs and advantage over glucocorticoids. Hyaluronic acid enables connective tissue to bind moisture thousands of times its weight and maintains tissue structure, moisture, lubrication and flexibility and lessens free radical damage, while associated collagen retards and reduces wrinkles.
Helps Digestion: Because it’s naturally fermented with living bacteria and yeast, Kombucha is a probiotic. This has a several benefits such as improved digestion, fighting candida, a yeast overgrowth, mental clarity, and mood booster/stabilizer. Kombucha has also been known to eliminate symptoms of fibromyalgia, depression, and anxiety.
Immune Booster: Kombucha is extraordinarily anti-oxidant rich, therefore, helping boost your immune system and energy levels.
WATER KEFIR
Fruity, fizzy, sweet drink. Super healthy probiotic even diabetics can drink without spiking blood sugar levels. Many have found kefir helps them digest foods better, get colds and viruses less often, and have more energy.
Kefir is loaded with valuable enzymes, easily digestible sugars, beneficial acids, vitamins and minerals. Water kefir is also generally suitable for some diabetics. It also is a nice option if you are trying to avoid the caffeine present in kombucha, but still seeking a probiotic drink, especially one that’s fizzy. Water kefir supplies your body with billions of healthy bacteria and yeast strains. Some store-bought probiotic foods or supplements can help, but they are not as potent, and do not contain the beneficial yeasts usually (just bacteria). Your internal microflora support proper digestion, synthesis of vitamins and minerals, and your immune system by warding off foreign and harmful bacteria, yeast and viruses. It has thus long been known to promote and aid in digestion and overall health. Some studies show it may be anti-mutagenic and help manage free radicals in the body. Folic acid (and B vitamins) increases as the length of the ferment increases.
RAW APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
It is important to note that “the mother” can only be found in raw organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and not in conventionally processed vinegars. Raw organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is packed with vitamin C, B1, B2, and B6 and contains nutrients and minerals such as potassium, pectin, calcium, ash and acetic acid that work together to establish a disease resistant environment which helps our bodies to maintain a healthy pH level.
Raw, organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar has been shown to lower the spike in glucose (sugar) after meals.
When consumed regularly, ACV helps:
-Fights infection
-Lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol
-Rids joints of uric acid, easing the pain of rheumatoid arthritis
-Promotes strong bones and teeth
-Aids weight loss
Raw organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar can be easily made into a fantastic, healthy salad dressing.
Raw ACV Dressing
Yields 1 cup.
Whisk together:
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon grated onion
1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon raw honey
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tablespoon dried basil leaves
Dash of salt and pepper
Serve immediately on salad OR use as a marinade for veggies or meats!
Check out more recipes and blogs from Meg with Modern Roots at www.modernroots.org & be sure to ‘like’ on Facebook at www.facebook.com/modernroots.org for more natural homesteading ideas and tips!
