Last summer I hung out with a friend of mine who lives in LA. She has gorgeous skin and hair; she’s beautiful, joyful, successful, and healthy. I would probably drink lighter fluid if she told me that it was the secret to her glow.
Lucky for me, lighter fluid was not the secret. Really, there is no secret other than a healthy and active lifestyle. She does, however, swear by GT’s Organic Raw Kombucha.
With a taste and smell akin to vinegar, it may not strike you as immediately appetizing, but I would recommend that you try it.
Health Benefits
Its health benefits have been lauded for thousands of years. Some trace Kombucha origins to the Qin Dynasty in China where it was allegedly known as the “Immortal Health Elixir” because it aided in digestion and balanced energy.
Kombucha is made from a fermented mix of tea, sugar, and a symbiotic "colony" of healthy bacteria and yeast. The resulting beverage is a raw food that is fat-free, low in calories and carbohydrates, and jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and organic acids. It’s also got a healthy serving of probiotics.
According to GT’s website, Kombucha…
- Increases energy level (though it is caffeine free)
- Improves digestion
- Is beneficial for healthy skin and hair
- Has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties
According to Seeds of Health, Kombucha can also help with…
- Hypertension
- Chronic fatigue
- Arthritis
Despite whether or not Kombucha is an “immortal elixir,” it’s tasty and really quite filling. I’ve substituted my afternoon snack with a bottle of Kombucha on many occasions, and it leaves me feeling full, alive and, for lack of a better word, zesty. GT recommends it in place of your morning coffee, one hour before a workout, or through out the day to maintain energy.
If the taste of the original raw variety puts you off, try GT’s Synergy drinks, which are combined with 5% real fruit juice. You can find either variety at your local health food store or at Whole Foods. In fact, go to GT’s website and click on where to buy, put in your state, and look to see where Kombucha is sold near you.
The Facts
- Serving Size – 8oz (two servings per container, so really 16oz)
- Calories – only 30 per serving!!!
- Sodium – 10mg per serving
- Sugar – 2g per serving
- Good source of these vitamins: Folic Acid, Vitamin B1,Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3,Vitamin B6,Vitamin B12
Enjoy!
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11 responses so far ↓
1 Chris Davis // Jan 29, 2008 at 2:19 pm
This stuff sounds weird, but exotic and kinda cool.
I think I’ll try the Gingerade flavor.
If anyone else tries Kombucha, or has already tried it, leave a comment and let us know what you think.
- Chris Davis
2 Patrick McCarthy // Jan 29, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Great and informative article! As an addendum, I used to make Kombucha in Oregon for distribution on the West Coast (though we called our particular strain ‘Jun’ The way that it works is that one must feed the culture a PH balanced mix of acidity and baseness, which it feeds on in order to organically create all of the probiotics, enzymes aminoes etc. The beauty of this is that the maker is left with a wide assortment of choices as to what to feed it. We used to use honey for the base, and a proprietary blend of organic herbs from around the world, to make many different varieties with unique tastes but essentially the same nutritional qualities. As to Chris Davis’ comment, I buy Gingerberry by the case, and Trilogy when i want a sweeter treat. All in all, this stuff is what Ponce De Leon was searching for.
3 Patrick McCarthy // Jan 29, 2008 at 5:56 pm
p.s. some fat is good, some carbs aren’t bad, calories mean very little, despite what the FDA would have us all believe.
4 Chris Davis // Jan 29, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Hey Patrick,
Thanks for your in-depth comment.
Could you explain the process a little more - it’s fascinating to me. I’m not sure I’m totally getting how Kombucha works, and you seem to be very knowledgeable.
The way I understand it, you start with some healthy bacteria (similar to those in yogurt) and then you “feed” it something, correct? What do you feed it? And, why does it need to be fed? And, how does it work after that? Is the “feeding” a part of the fermentation process? I think our readers would definitely be interested in a little more of your expertise, if you don’t mind.
Oh, and could you elaborate on “calories mean very little despite what the FDA would have us all believe.”
Thanks,
- Chris
5 Sarah Tarica // Feb 4, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I just picked up a bottle of the Synergy Cosmic Cranberry. It sure does taste like vinegar, but I like that about it – I’m on my second cup. The cranberry gives it a little palatable sweetness, and hopefully I’m getting some of cranberries health benefits as a bonus. Cranberries are supposed to help prevent urinary infections and reduce gum disease, ulcers, and maybe even help prevent cancer. I’m interested to see how Kombucha affects my hunger and concentration today.
6 Sarah Tarica // Feb 21, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I tried Mystic Mango today, and so far, it’s my favorite. It has actual mango puree in it, which makes it just slightly thicker than the other Synergy’s I’ve tried. It’s also the brightest in flavor – which is great for anyone who was turned off by the thought of a vinegar taste in your drink. The bottle advises wisely, “shake gently”, but I would like to emphasize gently, which I neglected to do when I bought a bottle this morning. Good thing I was outdoors.
7 NIKKI // Mar 5, 2008 at 12:33 am
I have been drink Kombucha for about two weeks now and the benifits are amazing…I have more energy and i feel full, so i eat less…and honestly after two weeks i can see the differnece in my skin so smooth… I bought eight @ 3.49/bottle..Not the cheapest so i try to stock up. My favorite was the cosmic cranberry until i tried the divine grape….I just love drinking this that i have cut my soda drinking days altoghter. Syergy has a new friend in me….:)
8 Donnie // Mar 29, 2008 at 8:40 pm
About two weeks ago, I tried the GT Citrus as a fluke, I was looking for something different in my healthfood store. I loved it so much I buy 7-8 a week in all flavors, except Ginger (may try that soon). The GT Synergy drinks are great to me, and as a Redline and Redbull drinker I want to stop drinking them all together. I found this stuff gives you a very subtle healthy pick me up!
I just thought it was me with a low sugar during work, but now i realize it was the tea. I am in the NYC area so not easily sold on stuff.
I am trying to buy a case, i am totally addicted.
do wish they had plastic but that may not be the best for something so fresh.
hope you try them - try Citrus and Guava
9 sy // Mar 30, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Donnie, Nikki, and everyone,
The best luck I’ve had in terms of price is Whole Foods. And if you get a case, they’ll even give you a discount!
Glad you’re enjoying the new drink.
sy
10 Clem // May 15, 2008 at 9:26 pm
This product also contains alcohol. The result of the “raw” material and the yeast/fermentation. The “vinegar smell” is alcohol. On the label it even says that it has .05 % alcohol. The same as an O’Doul’s. And it is available to children, btw. Cheers!
11 Dana // Jul 14, 2008 at 11:07 pm
I drank a bottle of Synergy Strawberry Serenity yesterday and within 1 hour my stomache was really messed up. It’s now 30 hours later and I am wondering if I will need to take a trip to the hospital my stomache hurts so much! I have a very healthy diet and disgestive system so this is really strange, anyone else with this type of reaction?
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