Many people are aware of the health benefits of certain foods but feel it's overwhelming to take it all in. With that, I encourage clients to incorporate foods they enjoy into their already developed routine. You can do this by finding healthy alternatives to almost anything!
Let's start by looking at some seasonally inspired ingredients for fall used in My Goodness! Kombucha and look at how they benefit your health. When looking for quality Kombucha in your health food store, take note if it has "flavors and extracts" on the ingredient list or if real food is used for flavoring.
Ginger: Most well known for it's positive effects on digestion but also has anti-inflammatory properties and may lower cholesterol levels and promotes good blood sugar regulation.
Cinnamon: Loaded with antioxidants that fight free radicals. In fact, cinnamon out-ranked many well known "superfoods" with it's medicinal properties. It can lower blood sugar levels, and may protect against neurodegenerative diseases.
Honey: Has antibacterial and antifungal properties, has been used to heal wounds, helps digestive issues, and filled with phytonutrients.
Orange zest: This one many are unaware of but the zest of citrus fruit is wonderful for your health! People often use "modified citrus pectin" for health benefits, this just means it has been modified and is in powder form. MCP has been used in many cancer patients and blood detoxification, cellular health, and ridding your body of heavy metals are among the top medical claims.
Tumeric: Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and can increase brain levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) linked to improve brain function and protects from brain diseases. A true medicinal powerhouse for centuries!
Cranberry: Most well known for protection from urinary tract infections. Cranberries have a high level of proanthocyanidins (PACs) to stop certain bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract walls.
Mango: Promotes healthy gut function, boosts immunity, promotes eye health, lowers cholesterol, clears the skin, and even diabetics can enjoy mango because of it's low glycemic levels.
Apple: Good for weight loss, linked to a lower risk of diabetes, has a prebiotic effects promoting good gut health, protects your lungs which may help with asthma and may help prevent cancer.
Blueberry: King of the antioxidant foods, reduces DNA damage which may help against aging and cancer, can lower blood pressure, cholesterol and protect your heart.
Clove: Analgesic, at times in My Goodness! Mango Clove flavor, I've been told you can actually feel a slight numbing effect. It has been used for tooth pain, has antimicrobial properties, may also improve liver health and can help regulate blood sugar levels.
Recently someone asked, "How much sugar is in Kombucha". Great question! Here was the answer:
The sugar level varies depending on the brand and what's added to flavor kombucha. The sugar used in making Kombucha is for the culture to consume, not for you. When done fermenting, there will be about 2-6 grams per 8 ounce glass of unflavored Kombucha. By contrast, an 8 ounce glass of orange juice has about 24g of sugar. Natural carrot juices have 13g per 8 ounces.
Recently, I had a friend say to me, "But coffee is my comfort". In reality, she may simply enjoy sipping something hot, which is good for our internal system so with that I encourage sipping something that will benefit your health at the same time. I'd be fooling you if I said I didn't enjoy a good cup of coffee from time to time but it's good to know Organo or Dandy blend are great coffee alternatives. A future post will go into more detail about healthy coffee alternatives. For now, you can order Orgaon here.
In my house it's a personal challenge of mine to find a healthy creation for any craving. See this previous post for some healthy desserts options. Do you have a guilty pleasure that you'd like help finding a healthy alternative? Email me and let me help: rachael@shekinahwellness.com