Being the ever curious wellness enthusiast that I am, I decided to venture over to my local health food store and peek around for something I haven’t heard of. As I wandered down the aisles, I came across a peculiar cooler stocked full of something called “kombucha”. I looked over the rows and rows of bottles trying to figure out what the hype was (and how to pronounce it: kom-BOO-cha?) Turns out this strange beverage is actually an ancient elixir consumed for centuries in Asia.

As I gazed at the foggy yellow liquid inside the bottle, and I began to wonder why anyone would even bother to try the stuff based upon its nauseating appearance. So I whipped out the good ol’ iPhone and did some quick research. Turns out kombucha is actually a tea fermented with yeast containing probiotics, enzymes, amino acids, and antioxidants.

So with my curiosity piqued, purchasing this “mushroom” tea was inevitable. Truthfully, my first sip was not pleasant. It was acidic, carbonated, and strange – nothing like I had expected. However, the taste started to grow on me. By the time I finished the bottle, I was kind of craving more.

So I decided to do a little research to find out more specifically what health benefits kombucha might provide. Besides containing copious amounts of antioxidants, research has shown kombucha can help boost energy, improve immunity, aid digestion, and balance metabolism. It’s also shown to help individuals with anemia, asthma, joint problems, and high blood pressure. This ancient elixir of awesomeness has something to provide for just about everyone! So next time you find yourself strolling past the organic section of the grocery store, snag a bottle of kombucha and try it for yourself. If you can get past that initial sip, you’ll be well on your way to superior wellness!

Looking for more healthy drinks? Check out our favorite green juice recipe.