Here's some of my thoughts on other beverages and beverage categories.
I'll probably write about these in more detail in future blog posts.
Any suggestions, comments or questions? Send to wayne@seattlekombucha.com.
Reminder... Disclaimer... I'm not a doctor or medical professional. And this is not to be construed as medical advice. I am just sharing about my personal experiences. For any health related concerns or questions, please speak with your doctor or other health professionals for advice.
Flavored Waters
Personally I drink hardly any flavored sparkling waters because I find the extracts and other "flavorings" they use taste awful, or the taste is boring/dull.
Also, the artificial sweeteners and the natural sugar alternatives including allulose, monkfruit, stevia, sugar alcohols and erythritol usually taste awful.
I suppose you could get used to the taste, but I just don't enjoy it.
AND, recent scientific research suggests that if your brain thinks you are consuming sugar, then your body will respond as if it is sugar.
Your pancreas will release insulin anyway. So what's the point? Real sugar tastes better and if you can manage your intake, most people will do just fine with a little.
There is also research that shows consuming large amounts of these alternative sweeteners may be harmful to your health. The one that comes to mind that I've seen the research first is erythritol.
Until more research is complete, I will continue to personally avoid all artificial sweeteners like Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal), Saccharin (Sweet'N Low) and Sucralose (Splenda).
I will limit my intake of alternative sweeteners like stevia, allulose, and monkfruit.
I would rather drink still or plain sparkling water throughout the day and save my real sugar and calories for a Seattle Kombucha once a day, or a piece of chocolate/candy.
If you are going to consume flavored sparkling waters, please be careful to read the labels and make sure that you are not consuming too much of the artificial or alternative sweeteners.
If you find an excellent flavored sparkling water that you think would have me change my mind about flavored waters, please let me know.
My favorites right now are Liquid Death sparkling mango, and some of the Aha flavored waters. I try some now and then if they are on sale, but I am disappointed by almost all of them.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Drop me an email at wayne@seattlekombucha.com
"Prebiotic" Soda
There is a relatively new category of "functional" beverages called prebiotic soda.
These are often sold in the grocery stores on the same shelves as kombucha, or near kombucha.
But they are not kombucha. Not even close.
They have become popular because they promise health and digestive benefits due to their prebiotic ingredients and they cost less than kombucha.
Don't be fooled. These sodas are not made by fermenting tea. So they won't have the same benefits as kombucha. Check the label.
These prebiotic sodas are usually just sparkling water with some flavoring added, plus some real or fake sugars added to make them taste sweet like soda.
They usually either contain prebiotics in the form of insoluble (undigestible) plant fibers (inulin, jerusalem artichoke, etc) or they will contain some Apple Cider Vinegar.
You can get your daily intake of insoluble plant fibers by eating plants, ie vegetables and grains.
And I haven't seen a company yet that discloses the amount of Apple Cider Vinegar in the beverage. Is it one teaspoon? Three? Who knows.
So basically they are flavored sparkling waters posing as kombucha or near-kombucha with some plant fiber and/or apple cider vinegar of unknown amount.
Please check those labels.
For roughly $1 more per can you can full bodied, full flavored, fermented tea kombucha from Seattle Kombucha with all the benefits of kombucha.
Personally I chose to drink the less expensive still and sparkling water, eat vegetables to get my fiber, and drink kombucha or add some apple cider vinegar daily to get my healthy, organic acids for digestive support.
To me, these are a huge waste of money.
Energy Drinks
I can't find a good reason to drink any of the popular energy drinks. I find most of them taste awful, and I don't like the quality of ingredients used, or the side effects of most of their ingredients.
If I need caffeine, I usually go straight for coffee or tea.
I've thought about manufacturing a "healthier" version of an energy drink, but the market is so saturated, I don't know if that makes sense.
If you are interested in purchasing a healthier version of an energy drink, please email me to share your thoughts. wayne@seattlekombucha.com
How much caffeine?
What flavors?
Zero sugar important?
What other functional ingredients are you most interested in?
Currently if I want caffeine, I'll have a hot or iced green tea, a shot of espresso, or a hot or cold brewed coffee.
I'll usually have a little coffee, and follow it up with some green tea. Mostly because they affect me differently.
Coffee "shocks" me and leaves me jittery. Green tea is a smoother buzz.
Everyone seems to react different to different sources of caffeine and amounts.
Green tea is also my go to becuase it is full of polyphenols and antioxidants and is easy to sip on throughout the day in my insulated thermos.
I will often add some honey to my green tea to change things up from time to time.
I do have interest in making new, more healthy-for-you energy drinks, canned coffee and tea beverages if there is sufficient demand.
What do you look for in an energy drink? What are you drinking to get an energy boost these days? Do you supplement with ginseng or any natural or chemical stimulants? Functional mushrooms? Maca?
Drop me an email: wayne@seattlekombucha.com
Coffee
For years I didn't drink much coffee.
Lately I'm back to drinking it, almost daily, but I try to stick to only one cup per day.
Coffee helps me "go" in the morning. And it helps me get going.
But I don't want to overdo it on the caffeine. Having too much coffee makes me jittery and unable to focus.
Coffee also has laxative (makes you go #2) and diuretic effects (makes you go #1) and I don't want to be in the bathroom all day.
It's important to realize that coffee (caffeine) is a serious, non-regulated drug.
It is very toxic to your body if you consume too much caffeine for your age and body type.
Some coffee beverages now contain 300mg of caffeine. According to most research and recommendations I have seen, caffeine is toxic to the adult human body over 1000mg per day. And harmful well below that number.
Just because approximately 75% of Americans drink coffee, and approximately 67% of Americans drink at least one cup a day, that doesn't mean that everyone is being smart about their coffee consumption.
Recent research about the antioxidant levels in coffee is helping people feel good about their coffee habit. It smells great. It tastes delicious. And it is highly addictive.
I recommend that you read those nutrition labels and become aware of your daily sugar and caffeine intake, as well as the amount of real sugar, artificial and alternative sweeteners you are consuming daily in your coffee.
What coffee are you drinking these days? Store bought? Cold brew? French press?
Send me an email to wayne@seattlekombucha.com
Juicing
Although juicing seems like a thing from the past, there are some benefits to juicing fruits and vegetables.
I go through cycles when I feel like I need more vitamins and I'll start juicing fruits and vegetables again. It usually happens in the winter.
I usually juice a mix of organic leafy Power Greens (baby spinach, kale, chard), organic celery, organic ginger root, organic apples, organic carrots and organic cilantro.
Sometimes I'll throw in some grapes for extra sweetness.
There are MANY great recipes you can try.
I chose to invest in a macerating juicer to extract more liquid, vitamins and flavor from each pound of organic produce. You can spend thousands on these, but they usually sell for a few hundred dollars. You can even find a macerating juicer second hand like I did for about $100.
Just remember, if you are going to make juice, or buy juice, go easy on the sugars.
It's easy to forget that the things that balance out the stronger, vegetable flavors are usually the sweetest ingredients - apples, carrots, ginger, grapes, etc.
There has to be a balance for me. Too green and I probably won't drink it. Too sweet and I'll be overdoing it on the sugars and calories and feel guilty.
]]>Consumers are drinking more "healthy" beverages. Why?
• Diabetes is still increasing at an alarming rate in the US. More than 37 million Americans are now estimated to have diabetes.
• Heart disease is on the rise in the US.
7% of men over 18 and 4.2% of women over 18 reported having heart disease in 2019. Approximately 695,000 Americans die of heart disease each year.
• Covid-19 and other contagious diseases continue to threaten our health for the foreseeable future, increasing mortality and health complications for several years after.
• More people are sharing that they are lonely, depressed, or anxious and consider their mental health to be a major health concern. An estimated 20% of Americans are considered to have a mental illness. And those are the reported results.
• According to the Alzheimers Association, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's. By 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million.
For thousands of years, people have been consuming kombucha as a health tonic.
Kombucha has been nicknamed the "Elixir of Immortality" which would suggest an abundance of health benefits.
Let's take a look more closely...
Some people drink kombucha for its unique taste, some for the way it makes them feel, and some drink it for its purported health benefits.
What benefits you say? Let's take a look...
DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this article should be construed as medical advice. I am not a medical professional. Please speak with your doctor about your health goals, concerns, and anything else related to your health and well being. This information is provided for information purposes only so that you can have a conversation with your medical professional.
NOTE: Results vary, and not everyone experiences the same effects or benefits from eating the same foods. As more people consume kombucha, the number of scientific studies that investigate the various benefits and health claims of consuming kombucha will become more common.
I will keep this page updated with new information as it becomes available to me. If you have any personal health related questions, please consult your doctor. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email me at wayne@seattlekombucha.com.
1. FERMENTATION
Before refrigeration, fermentation was one of the main ways to preserve food. Other ways include smoking, drying, salting and pickling.
Fermented foods have been consumed to increase the amount of beneficial organic acids, vitamins and minerals in the food to support and improve proper digestion. The bacteria present in fermentation helps to pre-digest the food, making it easier for you to digest it when it enters your digestive system.
An abundance of new research links the consumption of fermented foods including kombucha and water kefir with overall improved body and brain health.
There are many new books and scientific research reports discussing this research. Please feel free to reach out to me for recommendations or follow our social media, or join our email list to receive recommendations.
2. DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Probably the #1 reason most people drink kombucha is to improve digestive health.
Many customers report being more 'regular' with their bowel movements when they consume our kombucha daily.
Customers also report that they experience less digestive upset.
From what I've read in the scientific research, most of the digestive benefits from kombucha come from the organic acids and vitamins that are produced from the fermentation process.
Since learning this, I reformulated our Seattle Kombucha in 2022/2023 so that it contains more organic acids and vitamins than other brands.
How? We brew our kombucha a lot longer, allowing more time for these acids to develop.
Other kombucha benefits reported in the research come from the antioxidants and compounds found in tea leaves - the main ingredient of kombucha.
Tea Benefits = Kombucha Benefits
3. KOMBUCHA MAY BE LOW IN SUGAR AND CALORIES
Kombucha can be low in sugar and calories, but you have to read the label.
Seattle Kombucha is low in sugar and calories.
Seattle Kombucha uses only organic sugar.
Seattle Kombucha does not use any artificial sweeteners.
Seattle Kombucha uses only real, organic sugar because it tastes better.
Recent scientific research I have read suggests that even if you use an artificial sweetener or alternative sweetener like allulose or erythritol, it affects your pancreas and insulin response the same because your brain thinks it is consuming sugar and the pancreas produces insulin.
4. ANTIOXIDANTS
Most kombucha is made from fermented green and/or black tea which is rich in polyphenols, which are a type of antioxidant.
Antioxidants help prevent or stop cell damage caused by oxidants.
“Oxidants are free radicals that you find in the environment, but they're also produced naturally in your body,” says Diane McKay, Ph.D., an assistant professor and researcher at Tufts University's Antioxidants Research Laboratory.
5. ORGANIC ACIDS
Seattle Kombucha is rich in various organic acids that may help your body support healthy liver and kidney function.
Common beneficial acids that may be included include: acetic acid, gluconic acid, glucaronic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid, and nucleic acid.
More research is being conducted and published about organic acids regularly as more people become interested in kombucha.
Again, several beneficial acids may or may not be present in other kombucha brands. It all depends on what ingredients are being fermented and how long they are fermented, and what culture the kombucha is made from.
Seattle Kombucha brews longer to create more acids and a larger variety of beneficial acids.
6. GLUTEN FREE
Seattle Kombucha is gluten free. Most other kombucha tends to be gluten free, but you should always check the label to be sure. There are some new kombucha beers available that may contain gluten.
7. VEGAN
Seattle Kombucha is vegan.
Other kombucha may or may not be. Always check the label to be sure.
8. B VITAMINS
Seattle Kombucha contains B Vitamins.
Our B Vitamins come from the yeast cells present in the kombucha. How much B Vitamins are actually in the bottle depends on the ingredients used.
9. BENEFITS OF TEA AND OTHER INGREDIENTS
Since kombucha is made mostly from tea, kombucha has the beneficial properties of the various teas, fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices that make up the kombucha, including superfoods like elderberries, blueberries, ginger, turmeric, etc.
10. BIOAVAILABILITY
The process of fermentation may make naturally occurring nutrients more bioavailable, meaning that the nutrients are more able to be digested and used by the cells in your body instead of just 'passing through'.
Bioavailability is one of the main benefits of consuming fermented foods.
11. SUGAR and ALCOHOL CRAVINGS
Many customers claim that drinking kombucha regularly helps them reduce their cravings for sugar and/or alcohol.
CONGRATULATIONS!
If you have made it this far, I assume that you are very interested in your health, in the health benefits of kombucha and how to maximize your results.
If you have any questions or comments, or any new research you would like me to consider adding to this article, please reach out to me at wayne@seattlekombucha.com. Thanks!
Cheers to your health!
Wayne Greenfield, Founder and BrewMaster at Seattle Kombucha
SOURCES:
http://www.uaf.edu/chc/community-resources/educational-resources/DD_DigestiveDisease_Stats_FS.pdf
https://instituteofhealthsciences.com/probiotics-help-immune-system-in-your-gi-tract/
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/topics/heart-disease-prevalence.htm#:~:text=The%20age%2Dadjusted%20prevalence%20of,been%20diagnosed%20with%20heart%20disease.
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures
]]>That's a great question, and unfortunately we have to give you the standard answer of, 'It depends'.
Why? Kombucha is great, but everyone's body is different and responds differently to different foods.
As well as a disclaimer that we are providing this for information purposes only. We are not medical doctors and we are not providing medical advice. You should ask your doctor what the proper amount of kombucha is that YOU should drink.
A growing body of scientific research now confirms that consuming a variety of fermented foods on a regular basis, including kombucha, can improve your overall gut microbiome by helping to support the health and growth of your existing good gut bacteria and help fight the bad bacteria. One study I read said that studies have shown that consuming even dead, good bacteria helps to occupy spaces along the intestinal lining to prevent bad bacteria from occupying those spaces! Crazy cool.
Back to the question of serving size...
If you are new to kombucha, you should probably start slowly and see how your body and digestive system respond to this powerful, new food.
If you are totally new to kombucha, you may want to start super slow. Maybe 2-3oz once or twice a day, gradually increasing to 6, 8 or 12oz, or whatever you feel comfortable with.
PLEASE NOTE: Some people, when first consuming kombucha may temporarily get diarrhea or an upset stomach, feel temporarily uncomfortable or just go to the bathroom more frequently since it is 'new' to their system. Typical advice is to start slow and in small amounts until you see how your body responds. Many people also experience and report that drinking kombucha immediately gives them more energy and helps them stay more regular with their digestion and elimination. Like we said, everyone responds differently to new foods, especially probiotics.
Whatever amount of our kombucha you choose to drink, we hope that you truly enjoy taking a break from your daily activities to enjoy our refreshing, hand crafted Seattle Kombucha. Prost! To Your Health!
Let us know what you think, what your doctor says, and what works for you. You can email me your comments to wayne@seattlekombucha.com
]]>Here's how it fits into mine...
Morning... glass of water, vitamins, supplements, cup of coffee, eat breakfast. Maybe start a can of Seattle Kombucha. I'll usually go with our green tea flavors in the morning like Mango, Ginger or Ginger Jasmine.
Late Morning... While working, I usually sip on a glass of Seattle Kombucha and have a glass or container of water nearby.
If I feel I want/need some caffeine, I might also sip on some hot or iced green tea throughout the day depending on the time of year. My personal favorite teas are Jasmine Green, Sencha and our Gunpowder Green. Or maybe an Oolong or a China Breakfast with or without some cardamom... (BTW, we started selling the teas we use to make our kombucha, and other popular teas.)
Afternoon... After lunch, I'll try to drink another 8-16oz of water, either still or sparkling water, depending on my mood. I'm partial to sparkling Pellegrino in glass bottle or Liquid Death in aluminum cans at the moment to avoid consuming plastic, and because I prefer the taste of those two brands. I have water filtration systems at home and at the brewery for our tap water in order to make it healthier, less expensive and taste better. And I carry around reusable bottles for my water and tea. I continue to sip on my kombucha, water, tea and coffee throughout the day.
After Work... Before, during or after dinner while relaxing I may have another kombucha or a sparkling water.
I used to go for a glass of wine, beer, or cocktail. Today, I don't feel the need to have a full serving of these anymore. I don't want the alcohol, calories or sugars, or be kept from sleeping well at night. In addition to healthy eating and digestion, and getting sufficient physical movement throughout my day, I find getting a good night's sleep is crucial to my overall health and well being.
If I do drink, I might just have a sip of wine, scotch or a beer. I prefer something that has a big mouthfeel and lingering finish because a small sip of one of these will be satisfactory to me. Sometimes I just want a sip to get a taste.
If I am trying to avoid alcohol altogether (which is most days), but I want that lingering finish, I tend to drink a kombucha like our Lady Grey or Raspberry Rose which are more black tea forward and have a thicker mouthfeel from the extra tannins in the tea. For me, these are more of a sipping kombucha and the small level of caffeine doesn't keep me up at night.
Most nights I prefer to end my day with a fruitier flavor like our Blood Orange, Ginger, Ginger Jasmine or Mango. In the fall and winter I'll crave the Apple Chai more, but I also find the Apple Chai to be very refreshing on a hot summer day.
What works for you? I'd love to hear more about your routine and how you consume kombucha as part of your daily activities. Send me an email to wayne@seattlekombucha.com
- Wayne Greenfield
Reminder... Disclaimer... I'm not a doctor. And this is not to be construed as medical advice. I am just sharing about my personal experiences. For any health related concerns or questions, please speak with your doctor or other health professionals for advice. : )
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