True Blood star Anna Paquin was spotted sipping a Synergy drink on her way to a meeting in Venice, CA. Can this drink replace the get-up-and-go effects of a cup of joe?
Synergy beverages are made with mostly raw organic kombucha and five percent real fruit juice. Sometimes referred to as a tea, kombucha is not brewed from mushrooms; it's a colony of bacteria and yeast, which is added to tea or, in this case, fruit juice and allowed to ferment. Kombucha has been used for centuries throughout the world as a health tonic since it contain beneficial probiotics, enzymes, and antioxidants. According to Mayo Clinic, "health benefits attributed to Kombucha tea include stimulating the immune system, preventing cancer, and improving digestion and liver function." The thing is, though, there isn't any scientific data performed on humans to back this up, but that also doesn't mean it won't benefit the body.
So while kombucha won't necessarily "restore and rejuvenate" Anna's body, I guess it's worth a try. Tell me, do you drink kombucha for health benefits?
Charles Anastase
Armani Jeans
Vero Moda
I've tasted, and I decline. The stuff is pretty funky, and just not for me.
1I am so addicted to these drinks! I take one for after the gym every day. Some days I have three or four! It's quite the expensive habit!! I am very healthy but so is my lifestyle in general.
2I will say though, they are an acquired taste. I hated it the first time I tried it....now I can't live without.
I love it and my digestive tract is much happier for it! They do become addictive once you get used to the taste.
3Yes! There's two things I love about it: 1) it has less than 100 calories but really makes you feel full when you drink it, due to the fizziness. . . so it's good on afternoons at work when my lunch isn't keeping me full and I'm short on snacks; and 2) it wakes up me even though it doesn't have caffeine!
4I had a bottle of kombucha a couple of weeks ago and got violently ill, I couldn't even keep water down for 2 days, couldn't eat for 4, ended up in urgent care with what the doctor thought was food poisoning. I've since read that a small percentage of people experience an "allegic reaction" that results in gastrointestinal distress. I'm not sure if I'm one of those people or if I bought a spoiled bottle or what happened. But, while I liked how it tasted, I will obviously never ever drink it again!
5My husband and I split a bottle of peach kombucha last week. Definitely an acquired taste. I'd love to love the stuff, but I'm not sure it'll happen.
6I'm a little concerned that your presentation of information about kombucha above is a little one-sided. The Mayo Clinic link that you have in your article goes on to say this about the potential downsides of Kombucha:
"The next question is whether there have been any reports of harm or illness caused by the product. In the case of Kombucha tea, there are reports of adverse effects such as stomach upset and allergic reactions. More worrying are the reports of toxic reactions and metabolic acidosis. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration cautions that the risk of contamination is high because Kombucha tea is often brewed in homes under nonsterile conditions. Lead poisoning also may be a risk if ceramic pots are used for brewing — the acids in the tea may leach lead from the ceramic glaze."
"In short, there's not good evidence that Kombucha tea delivers on its health claims. At the same time, several cases of harm have been reported. Therefore, until definitive studies quantify the risks and benefits of Kombucha tea, it's prudent to avoid it."
I have tried kombucha and I actually enjoy the taste. I'm also curious about potential health benefits. But until I see some better information about how the potential benefits stack up against the potential for harm, I won't be adding kombucha to my regular rotation of beverages.
7I haven't tried Kombucha tea because I've heard that people who have intestinal issues to begin with or a distressed immune system can get sick from the raw bacteria both good and bad living in Kombucha teas. I actually chose to go the safer and more beneficial route by taking Natren Probiotic Supplements. A friend of mine referred me, and I have had great results. Especially when my stomach gets bloated after eating a rich meal, I drink their probiotic powders, and I feel much better-- so in short, I'm not a huge fan of Kombucha and won't be trying it soon!
8yucky! tastes like bad wine.
9I loooooove Kombucha. My favorite is the cranberry flavor, but I totally understand that it's a love/hate thing. But I happen to love it and have one every morning! If nothing else, I figure the probiotics and whatnot are good for me.
10lynnea - note that the mayo clinic article you posted refers to the dangers of kombucha being connected with brewing it at home. The vast majority of the people who get seriously ill from kombucha are people who try and brew it themselves. Since it's fermented, a lot can go wrong. The bottled Kombucha from Synergy is as safe as any bottled beverage.
11I've tried to like these, but I can't. I gag on the floaty things.
12Yes, I love original Kombucha!
13My friend drinks it and although I'm sure it's very healthy, it's just not for me...I can't get over the taste of it.
14I LOVE Kombucha! I wish I were rich so I could drink it every day. It definitely helps my digestive system along. I like the gingerade flavor best.
15I actually love it. Don't buy it often because it's so expensive, but it's great for balancing you out when you're taking antibiotics or something.
16I loooove it, but I get the kind that's 100%, not 95% kombucha and 5% fruit juice.
17Unfortunately, it's expensive so I only get it as an occasional treat.
I loooovvve ginger and cranberry kombucha!
18I love Kombucha. I have tried many and love them all, including the GT Dave brand. They work for me but like the comments before the price is really the issue for me. Not only is it expensive but it can be hard to find. I wish Trader Joes would stock it-- and I wish there was a way for the price to be more reasonable.
19I don't remember what brand of Kombucha I bought, but it was ginger flavored. It was a little rough to get over the smell of it, but I think I'd have to drink one or two more to get a real opinion on it.
20I love original and ginger kombucha! I swear by it if I'm having a bad day or feeling "off". . . it definitely puts me in a better mood after drinking it
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