Probiotic beverages are extremely beneficial for one’s health. Growing awareness about the importance of gut health has made modern men take a keen interest in the matter by incorporating gut-friendly foods into their daily diet. As a result, probiotics are now a quintessential part of people’s diets.
The crucial role of probiotic food in the maintenance of gut health can not be overstated. They are beneficial microorganisms that can help maintain the balance of gut microbiota to achieve optimal gut health. It can improve digestion and immune functions by reducing inflammation caused by the imbalance of gut microbiota.
There are many ways to enhance the consumption of probiotics. However, one of the easiest and healthiest ways is incorporating probiotic drinks into the daily routine. This article will provide information regarding some of the top natural probiotic drinks that can offer refreshments and probiotic boosts at the same time.
Top 3 Natural Probiotic Drinks
The human digestive system is home to trillions of microorganisms that play a vital role in the nurturing of overall wellness. Drinking probiotic-rich liquid refreshments significantly improves the health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. There is a myriad of natural drinks that hold unique flavors and microbial properties that can satisfy anyone’s taste preferences.
They have the potential to boost immunity, reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol levels, and alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Since these refreshing beverages are natural, you don’t have to worry about artificial sweeteners and synthetic flavors. Try these fresh recipes to improve gastrointestinal tract functions and overall well-being.
1. Kombucha
It is a fermented tea made with the help of SCOBY(symbiotic culture of Bacteria and yeast). Kombucha undergoes two phases of fermentation. In the first stage, you will end up with unflavored kombucha. The second stage helps achieve carbonation and delicious flavor.
Ingredients
4 liters of filtered water
8-10 bags of green or black tea (or 2-3 tablespoons of loose tea)
1 cup of sugar
2 cups of starter tea or store-bought unpasteurized kombucha
1 SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast)
Equipment
Large pot
1-gallon glass jar
Clean cotton cloth or paper towels
Rubber band
pH meter or pH strips
Instructions
- Boil the water in a large pot and remove it from the heat.
- Add tea bags to the hot water and let the tea steep for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags after 15 minutes and add sugar. Let the sugar completely dissolve in the tea. Leave the pot of sweetened tea at room temperature.
- Pour the cooled tea into a jar and add the starter tea from the previous batch of kombucha. Then you can add the main ingredient SCOBY into the tea.
- Cover the jar with a clean cotton cloth and secure the cloth using a rubber band. Place the jar in a warm, dark place. Leave the jar undisturbed for 7 to 14 days.
- Once it reaches the desired level of fermentation remove the SCOBY. Transfer the kombucha into an airtight bottle. Leave some space on the top of the bottle. At this point, you can add ginger or herbs to flavor the drink.
- Leave the bottles at room temperature for a few days for the second fermentation. Ideally, three days are enough for the second stage.
- After 3 days you can refrigerate it. Once cold, you can enjoy your homemade kombucha.
2. Milk Kefir
It is another fermented beverage that is rich in probiotics. It is similar to thin yogurt but it is made of kefir grains.
Ingredients
1-2 tablespoons of kefir grains
2 cups of milk
Equipment
Glass jar
Strainer (non-metal)
Clean cloth
Rubber band
Instructions
- Combine kefir grains and milk using a non-metal spoon. Pour the mixture into the clean glass jar.
- Cover the jar with a cotton cloth and secure the top with a rubber band. Leave the mix at a temperature of 68 – 78° F
- Leave it for 24 hours until the mixture gets tangy and slightly thick.
- Strain the mix using a non-metal strainer into a clean container.
- You can place milk kefir in the refrigerator. The refrigeration process will further ferment the drink.
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3. Probiotic Orange Juice
This gut-healthy orange juice is special and tastes like Orangina. It is a treat to your taste buds and a perfect drink for a hot summer day.
Ingredients
2 ½ cups of fresh orange juice
½ teaspoon of water kefir grains or 2 tablespoons of whey
1 cup of filtered water
Salt to taste
Equipment
A glass jar
Clean bottle
Instructions
- Pour the fresh orange juice into a glass jar and add kefir grains into the juice along with a pinch of salt.
- Mix all the ingredients well and fill the jar with water.
- Cover the jar with a lid and leave it at room temperature for 48 hours.
- After fermenting the juice to your desired level, you can chill the drink.
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Conclusion
Try out these prebiotic drinks to provide your body with a continuous supply of probiotics. Maintain hygiene throughout the brewing process to prevent any kind of contamination. You can consume these refreshing drinks in moderation to achieve your health goals.
