A great healthy drink

The "Immortal Health Elixir"

By Yarixa Ferrao

Usually you drink to quench your thirst. But there's a great tasting, energizing beverage that does much more for you.

I'm talking about Kombucha.

Kombucha is a lightly sweetened, fermented tea that dates back to China's Qin Dynasty (around 250 BC), where it was called the "immortal health elixir." The fermentation process forms:

• Enzymes that aid digestion

• Probiotics - the good bacteria that help with immune function, nutrient absorption, and inflammation reduction

• Organic acids, which help detoxify the liver

• Polyphenols, chemical substances found in plants that have antioxidant characteristics

• B Vitamins, which help support and increase metabolism, maintain healthy skin and muscle tone, enhance immune and nervous system function, and promote cell growth

Best of all, Kombucha is low in calories and sugar, so you can drink it every day.

You can brew it yourself, but I don't recommend it. My favorite commercial brand is Synergy, available in lots of flavors, including Cosmic Cranberry, Gingerberry, and Gingeraide.