GT'S KOMBUCHA: DRINK... TO YOUR HEALTH!!

Did you know that all non-organic conventional commercial meat, poultry, dairy and farm-raised fish are loaded with antibiotics and other drugs? I’ve also read that antibiotics have also been found in some popular varieties of “organic” apples and “organic" pears.  Read here for more info on that story.  So,with this in mind, supplementing your diet with probiotics, probiotic foods and probiotic drinks (like kombucha), is absolutely a must!  (See The Gaps Diet & Gut Flora  on how your gut flora affects your immune system.)

Have you ever heard of kombucha?  Kombucha (pronounced kom-boo-cha) is a fizzy fermented tea that  doesn’t taste anything like tea! I would describe the taste as more like a slightly sour, slightly sweet champagne with a hint of earthy essence. And that's why I love to drink my kombucha in a wine glass! But best of all, it's sooo good for you. Loaded with beneficial bacteria, enzymes and antioxidants, kombucha is excellent for your gut health and overall well-being.

I love GT’s Enlightened  Organic Raw Kombucha. It is a popular brand and is available at Whole Foods, local health food stores and natural food stores.  GT’S Kombucha is 100% organic, gluten-free, vegan, non-gmo, kosher and made with “100% love”!!! Each bottle provides an impressive list of additional nutrients, probiotics and antioxidants. There is also a trace of alcohol in each bottle. Not enough for a buzz - but just enough to take the edge off. Drinking kombucha makes me feel relaxed, energized and recharged!

My favorite flavor is Gingerade.  Fresh pressed ginger juice and 100% kombucha gives this health tonic a zesty, spicy bite. Each 8 oz. serving has 7g of carbs, 2g of sugar and 30 calories. I call this the perfect healthy guilt-free pick me up!

Here is the list of additional nutritional  info on the Gingerade label:

Additional Nutrients  (per bottle):

Folate  25%

Vitamin B2  20%

Vitamin B6 20%

Vitamin B1 20%

Vitamin B3 20%

Vitamin B12 20%

Probiotic  Content:

Bacillus coagulans: 1 billion organisms.

S. Boulardii: 1 billion organisms.

Antioxidants & Organic Acids

EGCG 100mg - Glucoronic Acid 10mg.

L (+) Lactic Acid 25 mg - Acetic Acid 30 mg.

GT’S offers a wide variety to suit everyone’s palate. I have yet to try them all. Here is a little review of some of their popular flavors:

Original - 100% pure kombucha. It is not as effervescent as the Gingerade and tastes like dry, smooth champagne. A perfect late afternoon indulgence!

Multi-Green : Ingredients include organic Klamath Mountain blue-green algae, organic spirulina and organic chlorella.  If you like green drinks and juices, you will love this flavor. Let’s put it this way, it tastes healthy! Great for detox!

Lavender No. 3 : GT married lovely lavender with elegant elderberry to produce a fragrant aromatic botanical elixir of love.  Very intoxicating!

Bilberry No. 9 - Ingredients include bilberry, honeysuckle and red clover and bursting with a fruity, herbal zing  -  a dynamic choice for a healthy dose of vitality!

The Enlightened Synergy line is made from the same raw organic kombucha with the addition of organic juices and raw chia seeds. Here are the five flavors that I’ve tried so far:

Black Chia is the first beverage that I’ve ever tasted with chia seeds and it is surprisingly fun to drink! The chia seeds give the kombucha a slight gel-like crunch that swirl  around your tongue. The organic black currant juice is slightly sweet and absolutely deliciously satisfying. Each 8 oz. serving has 8g of carbs, 4g of sugar and 75 calories. The chia seeds add 4g of fiber, 3 g of fat and 2 g of protein and tons of nutrients!

Cherry Chia is made with organic cherry juice and is slightly tart and tangy. Think cherry wine, pureed tart cherry pie filling (without the sugar!) and tapioca pearls blended together  for  a sparkling frothy sensation. Cherry Chia also has the same nutritional contents as Black Chia.

Strawberry Serenity is made with organic strawberry puree. The strawberry flavor is very mild and slightly musky. Think strawberry incense for your body, mind and soul! 

Trilogy -   Highly effervescent raw organic kombucha flavored with organic raspberry juice, organic lemon juice and fresh-pressed organic ginger. Very refreshing and slightly fruity. A heavenly treat!

So pick up a bottle of GT’s  Enlightened Kombucha next time you are at the market. It  is the smart and healthy choice for  today’s world. And drink...to your health! Your body will thank you for it!

*I have no financial interest in GT's Enlightened Kombucha.