Kvass is a fermented drink that originated in Russia but is quickly becoming more popular across the world because of its many health benefits. The fermented beverage is great for detoxing your system and for its probiotic content which helps support the digestive process. Originally made out of fermented sour rye bread, kvass is now prepared with the addition of beetroot which adds to its many health benefits. While it is an acquired taste, it is worth it to give it a shot. Here are just some of the many health benefits that come from drinking kvass.
Acts as a Probiotic
Kvass is packed full of probiotics which makes it a great choice for anyone that wants to improve their overall digestive health. It used to be that people got their probiotics through fresh food. However, modern forms of agriculture have changed that. Probiotics are vital to the diet because they help prevent skin issues, candida overgrowth, colds, flu, and digestive disorders from occurring. For those who do not like to consume dairy products, kvass can be a great way to get a healthy dose of probiotics.
Offers A Wide Variety of Nutrients
Because kvass is so rich in nutrients, it is a great nutritional supplement to add to your diet to make sure you are getting the proper amount of minerals and vitamins. Vitamin B12, selenium, vitamin B2, manganese, thiamine, and folate are just a few of the dozen nutrients inside of a glass of kvass. Once you get used to the taste, you can drink your vitamins every morning or evening instead of taking them.
Cleanses Your Liver
Poor eating habits can actually cause liver problems. Regularly making poor diet choices leads to inflammation that over time can cause extensive liver damage. Beet kvass can help reverse this because it is rich in antioxidants and per cup, you get almost 1300mg of potassium. This heavy dose of potassium mixed with antioxidants helps combat damage from free radicals. Some people drink kvass once a week simply for the liver cleanse benefits.
Cleans Out the Gallbladder
The liver is not the only organ in the digestive system that kvass can help, it also has a positive cleansing effect on the gallbladder as well. Free radicals can damage the gallbladder which can result in excess bile being released into the bloodstream. Over time this can cause damage to the digestive system. Kvass helps protect and reduce some of the damage that is caused by free radicals, so it is an excellent way to keep your full digestive system maintained.
May Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Beet kvass can be used as a complement to cancer treatment because of its natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Beets on their own are thought to be one of the best treatments for inflammation, and when you add in the extra antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, you end up with a powerful combination that may be able to prevent cells from mutating in the first place. The result is a lowered risk of cancer if you regularly consume kvass. In fact, some studies show that when beetroot is placed in animals drinking water, they have a much less chance of tumor development.
Helps Balance the pH Level in Your Blood
Beets are high in betalains, a phytonutrient that gives them their strong red color. When consumed, these betalains help create blood cells making them a great aid to your body. It is vital that your bloodstream stays regulated, because if it gets too acidic, then the result will be inflammation in the body. Additionally, it will cause the body to have a shortage of calcium as it will deplete calcium levels to try to balance the pH. If you consume kvass on a regular basis, your blood will be well supplied with the nutrients it needs to stay naturally balanced.
Boosts the Immune System
Kvass is very high in Vitamin C, which is a great boost to your immune system. This is excellent news to those who do not like orange juice because there are great alternatives that can help you bulk up in Vitamin C. Those who continue to consume kvass will likely notice that they are getting sick less often, and when they do get sick they will probably recover faster than they did before they started enjoying the fermented super drink.
High in Manganese
As mentioned, kvass is high in many nutrients, but one mineral that bears mentioning is manganese. Kvass has a notably high concentration of manganese in it, and several different body systems use this mineral. Manganese is vital for the support and overall health of your liver, bones, pancreas, and kidneys. Therefore, it is important that you consume the mineral on a regular basis, and kvass is one easy way to do so. Once you get used to the taste, you may even find you crave it as your body adjusts to receive the extra boost.
Can Help with a Healthy Pregnancy
Although you want to discuss all-natural supplements with your doctor before beginning or supplementing during pregnancy, kvass can be a great support to your body as it grows into a fetus. It is high in vitamin B12 and B6 both of which can help the fetus grow and reduce your morning sickness during the first trimester. It is also high in folate which is important to help reduce the chance of a congenital disability occurring as the fetus is formed.
Acts as a Digestive Aid
In Slovakia and Russia where kvass originated, kvass is commonly used as a digestive aid for consumption after meals because of its effectiveness in aiding the digestive system. Not only does kvass help to maintain digestive metabolism, but it forces fat to be removed from the body as waste. This helps you retain less waste and speeds up the way that your body processes food so that you receive maximum benefits.