It’s no secret that soda is bad for you (yes, even diet soda!). You probably know that by now. As certified holistic health and wellness coach Ali Fiorella notes, “Soda is absolutely loaded with sugar, which is at the root of most chronic diseases and health issues that we commonly see today. Outside of spiking your blood sugar, sugar also feeds the bad bacteria in your gut, which can lead to a host of health problems when consumed enough.” Yikes! But if you find yourself addicted to the sweet flavor (not to mention the sugar itself), it can be a hard habit to quit. One thing that could make the process easier is finding a new beverage to sip on instead.
Luckily, Fiorella says there’s one drink that could be just want you need to kick soda to the curb: kombucha. We checked in with her to learn all about the health benefits (not to mention the flavor benefits!) of this buzzy fermented tea. Find all of her expert insight below.
Kombucha
While there are many beverages–like flavored water, seltzer, and even coconut water–that make great alternatives to a sugary soda, Fiorella says that going with a gut-healthy kombucha is one of the best options for your overall health thanks to its incredible health benefits. As she notes, this fermented tea beverage is “loaded with probiotics (good bacteria) and antioxidants, which make it great for gut health, the immune system, and promoting overall health.”
Fermented foods and beverages like this one are especially great for your gut thanks to the fact that they help restore balance in the gut microbiome by repopulating it with good bacteria. And when your gut thrives, your whole body thrives. So, in short, drinking kombucha is just one way to support your overall wellness. Incredible–and delicious!
Speaking of delicious, there are tons of flavors to choose from. Although many people find kombucha (and other fermented foods) to be an acquired taste, you’re more than likely to find at least one flavor you’re happy to swap soda with. We can’t promise it tastes the same as a Coca-Cola, but it can definitely be just as flavorful.
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Plus, unlike soda, which relies on artificial flavoring (so bad for you!), most kombucha uses natural herbal ingredients, spices, and fruits–which aren’t only tasty, but can also do wonders for your health. It’s a total win-win all around!
However, Fiorella offers one warning when it comes to this usually healthy beverage: When you
go for kombucha, take a look at the label and ingredients before purchasing because some brands do have high sugar content, which you’ll want to avoid, especially if this is your healthy swap for soda!” As she points out, “You don’t want to go from one sugary beverage to the next, although the sugar content would still likely pale in comparison to soda.”
All in all, kicking your soda habit is a great idea if you want to lead a healthier lifestyle, and there are so many tasty, healthy alternatives to choose from. But if fantastic flavor and added health benefits is what you’re after, kombucha may be your best bet!
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