What are fermented drinks?
Fermented drinks have been a staple of the human diet for centuries. Without modern refrigeration techniques, people sought other methods to preserve food and mitigate spoilage. Fermentation is one of the methods of preservation utilized by all cultures.
During fermentation, live bacteria break down food components such as sugar, making it easier for you to digest and absorb its nutrients. You can ferment cabbage into sauerkraut, and you can also ferment a sweet tea into kombucha or jun.
There are several fermented drinks you can incorporate into your diet:
kombucha- a black tea with sugar fermented using a SCOBY
jun- a green tea with honey fermented using a SCOBY
water kefir- a sugar water fermented using grains
milk kefir- milk fermented using grains
ginger beer- using a ginger bug which is fermented
mead- a honey and yeast drink brewed similarly to beer
sima - a Finnish drink with lemons, sugar and yeast
boza or bouza - a middle eastern drink make from hulled millet and sugar
kvass -a Russian beverage from fermenting rye bread, and can also be made from beets
lacto-fermented orange juice or lemonade- fermented using a culture
hard apple cider - fermenting fresh apple cider
Why should I drink fermented drinks?
When you consume fermented food and drinks, you’re essentially bathing your GI tract in healthy, food-related organisms and bacteria. If the good bugs in the gut outnumber the bad bugs, you’re less likely to experience sickness, and you may reverse some chronic illnesses.
Fermented, or cultured, drinks are another way to incorporate more fermented foods into your family’s diet.
You can replace Coca-Cola, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, etc with what we refer to in our house as healthy sodas.
You can change the flavors on kombucha, jun and kefir during the second fermentation giving you ample options for your healthy sodas
May replace probiotic supplements, as fermented drinks will introduce beneficial bacteria into your digestive system.
Fermented foods and drinks are essential for good digestion and nutrient absorption. Having the proper balance of gut bacteria and enough digestive enzymes helps you absorb many more nutrients from the foods you eat.
Fermented drinks are budget friendly, especially if you make them at home as they cost only pennies per serving versus $2.00 per bottle at the store. You may also cut down on the number of supplements and vitamins you need, helping your budget further.
