Who doesn’t want to be that little bit healthier? Especially if improving your health involves minimal effort. With this in mind we’ve made it our mission to bring you news each week of a product, a foodstuff, an exercise technique or a pill that promises magical health-giving properties.
This week’s magic ingredient: Kombucha.
Not to be confused with: Sambuca, Paul Rachubka (substitute goalkeeper for Blackpool), bambucha (slang for extremely large).
Kombucha I’ve heard of that thing. Remind me? It is a fermented acidic tea from Russia, noted for a plethora of health benefits.
Health benefits you say. What might they be? There are so many, where do I start? It is said to prevent and alleviate cancer. It increases energy levels and helps build up your immune system. It helps with migraines, constipation, kidney problems, allergies and sclerosis. It also helps lower stress levels, cures insomnia and improves the tone and colour of your skin.
Really? That’s incredible. With all those benefits, it must taste like crap? It isn’t that bad. It’s fizzy and kind of tastes like apple cider and vinegar.
How much of the stuff should I drink? A about a half a glass a day. If you are fighting a cold, two or three glasses a day. It tends to thin the blood overtime if you drink too much of it.
Is it okay for Children? It is generally 0.5 per cent alcohol but can contain up to 1.5 per cent alcohol, so maybe you should mix it with fruit juices or something.
Where can I find it? The tea itself is generally available in health shops and takes a bit of brewing, as well as monitoring so it doesn’t become contaminated. Red Bull have also released a soft drink version called Carpe Diem, which is available in most supermarkets.
Anything else I should know about Kombucha? If you are someone who is follically challenged, it is known to increase hair and nail growth, as well as eliminate grey hair.
Conor Hogan
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