Now researchers have gathered 75 studies attesting to its proven health properties Fermented tea known as kombucha has been rapidly growing in popularity among health food lovers. But it’s actually been around for thousands of years. It originated in China in the third century B.C. Then it made its way to Russia, India, and Japan where it became a staple among Samurai warriors. Today it is also popular in Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, Indonesia and many other cultures. Kombucha — or “the booch” to its fans — is made from green, black or white tea. It’s fermented for at least a week with sugar and a fungal culture consisting of a mixture of bacteria and yeast. The starter is called a “SCOBY,” which is an acronym for “symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast.”The culture, also sometimes referred to as the “mother,” resembles a light brown, tough, gelatinous disk, which is a living, growing organism. With each batch of the tea, the organism can regenerate and create a new culture called the “baby,” which can be shared with a friend much like the sharing of a sourdough starter. Sometimes called “mushroom tea,” kombucha has been associated with a long list of health benefits. It’s a probiotic drink with helpful bacteria that support digestion and the immune system. It also contains enzymes, amino acids, antioxidants, and polyphenols. But relatively little scientific evidence has confirmed the health claims of traditional cultures drinking the tea. Researchers from the University of Latvia gathered 75 studies attesting to the proven health properties of kombucha.

Here are 18 healthy reasons they suggest to raise a glass of kombucha.

1. Detoxification Kombucha contains substantial amounts of glucuronic acid (GA). GA is well known as a detoxicant. In the body, it combines with toxins like pharmaceuticals and environmental pollutants. It then converts them into compounds that are soluble and the body can excrete. Drinking kombucha may also help prevent tissues from absorbing industrial toxins in the environment.

2. AntioxidantsKombucha contains abundant antioxidants including vitamins E, C, beta-carotene, and other carotenoids. Like black tea, kombucha also contains polyphenols and other compounds with antioxidant powers. But because it is fermented, kombucha is much more powerful than plain tea. Its antioxidant activity has been found to be 100 times higher than vitamin C and 25 times higher than vitamin E.[2] For that reason drinking traditional kombucha may help cure chronic illnesses caused by oxidative stress.

3. Energy Kombucha sets iron free from black tea. That helps increase levels of blood hemoglobin, and improves oxygen flow to tissues. It also improves the body’s absorption of other non-heme (plant-derived) iron.

4. Immunity Oxidative stress suppresses the immune system but kombucha’s high levels of vitamin C support immunity. Its antioxidant power also protects against cell damage, inflammatory diseases, suppressed immunity, and tumors.

5. Gastric Illnesses Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are toxic to the gut. They can lead to gastric ulcers. Indomethacin, a popular NSAID, can disrupt blood circulation to the stomach’s mucous membrane. Kombucha has been shown to effectively heal gastric ulceration. The researchers believe the fermented tea protects the mucin content of the stomach. Its antioxidant activity also protects the lining of the gut. Kombucha also reduces gastric acid secretion that can damage the mucous membrane. In fact, kombucha has been found as effective in healing ulcers as prescription omeprazole (brand name Prilosec).

6. Obesity Kombucha helps balance the metabolism. Animal studies show the tea may cause weight loss by encouraging calorie restriction.

7. Diabetes Research dating back to 1929 found kombucha can decrease blood sugar levels. More recent animal studies report that kombucha significantly reduces blood sugar levels in diabetic rats.[4] Another study suggested kombucha may be considered a candidate for the treatment and prevention of diabetes.

8. Kidney Toxicity Kombucha may help eliminate kidney damage caused by environmental pollutants and may be beneficial to patients suffering from renal impairment.[6] Kombucha has also been used to prevent calcification in the kidney and may prevent the formation of kidney stones.

9. Endothelial FunctionOxidative stress can damage the lining of blood vessels. That damage is a precursor to atherosclerosis, and a threat to heart health. Antioxidants in kombucha help promote regeneration of cellular walls in blood vessels.

10. Atherosclerosis In clinical trials involving 52 atherosclerotic patients with high cholesterol, kombucha helped lower levels to normal. In studies involving ducks, kombucha significantly reduced levels of LDL cholesterol and simultaneously raised HDL levels after just 10 days. Other animal studies show kombucha may decrease total cholesterol as much as 45–52%. It may also significantly decrease triglyceride and LDL levels while increasing HDL.

11. Hypertension Kombucha has been used to prevent headaches and dizziness caused by hypertension. It’s been recommended for treating high blood pressure.

12. Anemia Organic acids found in kombucha convert trivalent iron compounds from plant sources to divalent iron ions. This makes iron from plant sources more available to the body. And vitamin C in kombucha enhances iron absorption. Researchers suggest kombucha is particularly recommended for elderly people and vegetarians because it enhances the absorption of iron and helps prevent iron deficiency.

13. Liver Function Kombucha protects against liver toxicity in animals from overdoses of acetaminophen (Tylenol).[10] Researchers suggest it might provide a useful therapy for humans as well.

14. Nervous System Kombucha contains several amino acids, methylxanthine alkaloids (caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and B vitamins (including folic acid-B9), necessary for normal metabolism in the nervous system. It can help with headaches, nervousness, and epilepsy prevention. It may also prevent depression in the elderly.

15. Asthma Daily kombucha may help asthma patients. It contains significant amounts of theophylline, a bronchodilator.[12] The treatment dose of theophylline is 0.18–1.0 g daily. Just one cup of kombucha contains about 1.44 mg.

16. Joint Problems Glucuronic acid in kombucha can be converted by the body into glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and other polysaccharides and glycoproteins associated with cartilage, collagen, and the fluid that lubricates joints.[13] It may also help relieve arthritis, rheumatism, and gout.

17. Cancers Consumption of kombucha has been associated with lower cancer rates. Researchers believe it increases the immune system’s anticancer defenses. It may prevent cancer proliferation at the early stages of tumor growth due to its glucuronic, lactic, and acetic acid content, as well as its antibiotic compounds. It may have anticarcinogenic effects especially for hormone-dependent tumors. Cell studies suggest it may be useful for prostate cancer treatment and prevention.[14] It’s also been studied as an anticancer agent against human lung, osteosarcoma, and renal cancer cell lines.

18. Antibiotic-Resistant InfectionsKombucha contains strong antibacterials to combat infectious diseases such as Diptheria, scarlet fever, influenza, typhoid, paratyphoid fever, and dysentery. Its high total acidity makes it effective against Helicobacter pylori, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus. It’s been suggested that kombucha may be an effective alternative to synthetic antimicrobials that are becoming increasingly ineffective.[16]How to Enjoy Kombucha at Home Kombucha is widely available in health food stores. When you buy a bottle you’ll notice a thin layer of the SCOBY at the bottom. The instructions may caution against shaking the contents. That’s because it should be a little effervescent. Because it’s a fermented food, kombucha can develop an alcohol content that approaches the FDA’s upper limit for a non-alcoholic beverage of 0.5% by volume. Some people report getting a buzz from the drink but others don’t notice any effect at all. The Latvian researchers note that a series of microbiological and biochemical tests on kombucha have repeatedly found it safe for human consumption. Sally Fallon, author of Nourishing Traditions:

The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats, quotes an FDA official as saying that when reasonable care is taken, “you’re more likely to find contamination in a cup of coffee than in a cup of properly prepared kombucha.”But there have been isolated reports of sickness after drinking kombucha. Alternative health guru Dr. Andrew Weil does not recommend drinking the homemade version for fear of contamination with aspergillus, a toxin-producing yeast which he believes would be risky for those with already compromised immune systems, like AIDS patients and cancer patients, as well as for pregnant and nursing mothers. What to do? If you are healthy, try the commercial brands for yourself. For beginners, a good brand to try is GT’s Organic Raw Kombucha. The founder claims he began making kombucha in 1995 after his mother successfully used the drink in her battle against breast cancer.

It’s best to use kombucha in moderation to begin (four to eight ounces a day), even though the bottle may recommend a full 16 ounces per day. And at almost four dollars a bottle, many people may want to keep their intake moderate. Another reason to start slowly is that kombucha has a detoxifying effect. If the liver is not functioning properly, it can be overwhelmed by the toxins being released. This may be why some people report an allergic reaction to the tea. For that reason, some experts recommend drinking plenty of water while taking kombucha to help flush toxins from the body. If you are tempted to make your own kombucha, educate yourself first and follow instructions carefully, including using clean equipment, correct temperatures, and glass containers. Kombucha is not a drug but a traditional drink with many health-promoting properties. As with all foods, moderation is key. It’s important to listen to your own body to determine whether it is a good choice for you.

By eating living foods, you will have no problem maintaining your weight and fueling your body with all the nutrients to sustain perfect health and cut the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity by 80%.Dieting is not so much what you eat but what you don’t eat. If you are serious about toning your body and looking better than you have ever looked before, follow my lifestyle. Don’t call it a diet because diets never work. You must replace foods that are making you gain weight with foods that create balance and enhance your vitality.

The foods that I will recommend to you will eventually taste like the foods that make you fat. You have to mentally learn to enjoy food for what it does for your health rather than what food does for your palate..First and foremost – STOP eating anything in a box, can, jar, frozen and has a shelf life. Don’t consume processed oils, salt, sugar, refined grains, flour, condiments, etc. Don’t eat anything fried, cut out all bread, commercial hummus, crackers, anything that says “vegan” and “organic” other than fresh organic fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, seeds, and nuts.I make my own hummus which is very nutritional and fat-free. I take a half a pound of dry garbanzo beans and soak them overnight. I then thoroughly rinse the beans and put them in a pot covering them with water. I bring to a boil and simmer for about fifteen to twenty minutes until the garbanzo beans are tender. I rinse the beans again and throw them in a high powered blender or you can use a food processor… I add the juice of five or six lemons (depending on your taste and enough water to give it a creamy texture. Add the water as you need to when blending. That is it.

I love the taste of garbanzo beans. When you add tahini, olive oil, garlic and salt, you are compromising the taste of the garbanzo beans… Oil and tahini add lots of fat too….Make huge salads. I make enough for two or three days at a time. I chop fresh local organic beets, celery, carrot, red cabbage, and parsley, kale, spinach, radishes (include all vegetables that are locally grown). You can add a half an avocado, lemon and organic apple cider vinegar with each serving. I use apple cider vinegar on all my salads, no oil. I also add hemp seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and, walnuts for additional protein, calcium, fiber and antioxidants. I eat this salad for breakfast and sometimes lunch. It has a lot of fiber, enzymes and all of the vitamins you will possibly need. You can add any vegetables you like that are locally grown and in a season… Trye adding blueberries when i season…For dinner, lunch, and breakfast eat quinoa, millet, amaranth and buckwheat – add lentils too. as these grains only take fifteen minutes to prepare. I add chopped tomatoes, parsley and lemon..

Another meal choice is an organic yam or butternut squash. Just add lemon on the yam, the squash needs nothing. Embrace the wonderful natural flavors of real food – Don’t disguise the taste with oils and salt.I will also eat just organic salad for dinner; kale, spinach, red cabbage, celery, carrots, parsley with 1/2 avocado and organic apple cider vinegar. Last night I had two large organic artichokes with fresh lemon (less than 100 calories, no fat, highly nutritional). Tonight I am going to have two bunches of lightly steamed spinach with organic chopped tomatoes and lemon.Who doesn’t like to snack? I always have organic radishes, cucumbers, cauliflower, apples, pears and red bell peppers on hand to snack on. These healthy nutrient rich vegetables and fruits have zero fat and practically no calories and they are very filling. One of my favorite snacks is roasted garbanzo beans. I soak a pound of garbanzo beans overnight. I rinse them thoroughly the next morning. I then put the garbanzo beans in a large bowl and toss with Bragg Amino. I place the beans on a stainless steel sheet and roast in the oven at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes to 45 minutes.

I snack on these beans all the time. They are loaded with protein, fiber and an abundance of nutrients….If you must go to restaurants, drink warm lemon water and ask for a plate of steamed or raw vegetables. If they don’t have any, then don’t eat, just socialize. Restaurant food is the worst and the most deceiving. So, when I go to restaurants, even Vegan restaurants, I will have raw vegetables.Don’t try and starve yourself, your body will go into a defense mode and store fat. Eat like there is no tomorrow with the foods that will burn calories. Drink lots of organic green or white tea. I also drink freshly squeezed organic grapefruit juice which I find burns fat. Infuse water with healthy herbs, fruit, and vegetables. I also drink a lot of miso. I buy Miso Master as it is organic and 100% vegan.l Many miso pastes are infused with fish oil or fish flakes. If you eat at any Asian restaurant, the miso, even though they will tell you the miso is vegetarian, is loaded with fish oil and fish flakes. Another thing Asian restaurants do is steam the vegetables with fish, fish oil or fish flakes. They consider fish to be vegetarian and most Asian restaurants do not know what vegan is… They use fish as a seasoning and a staple.

Cut out coffee and I hope you are not drinking sodas, even the zero calories. Again, do not drink or eat anything that sits on a shelf. I never shop at a supermarket. I buy all my produce from organic farmers and a health food store that I go to where I know exactly where they buy their produce. I have visited the farms. Substitute your doctor for your organic farmer. Make your organic farmer your best friend and the most important person in your quest for health….I call my organic farmers “Doctors.”I buy all my grains and beans from Bob’s Red Mill. They source the freshest organic products. Natural food stores, even Whole Foods buys their bulk from distributors that have been sold and traded as many as a dozen times. Those grains and beans sit in the bulk section for weeks, sometimes months and are constantly being exposed to humans many times a day… Bob’s Red Mill is the highest quality resource there is for grains, beans, and oats. They ship FREE!!!Grains and beans are a powerful nutritional food high in protein, vitamins, fiber and calcium and low in calories and fat.

I buy bulk organic barley, wheat berries, brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, mung, garbanzo, black and adzuki beans. You have to soak them for twenty-four hours, rinse them thoroughly and simmer them together for about 30 minutes until tender. You can add vegetables at the very end by turning off the heat and allowing the vegetables to steam in the beans and the grains. For seasonings, I use turmeric (fresh if you can find it), cumin, sage, basil, garlic, paprika.Exercise has a lot to do with maintaining your weight, health and mental clarity. You don’t have to run on a treadmill for two hours or go crazy in the gym. Just walk briskly, park your car furthest from where you are going to the mall or work, take the stairs, do your own house cleaning, play sports, ride a bike, dance around the house

Do activities that you enjoy and look forward too. I hate the gym and exercise classes so I walk a lot and ride my bike.

You might say that my diet is expensive, time-consuming and restrictive. Well, so is diabetes, heart disease. obesity and cancer. Think of this new lifestyle as preventive medicine and the only path to extend your life and live healthy long into your 80’s and 90’s. Your mind will be clear, your body will be clean and your energy level is amazing.

How is Siberian ginseng different from other types of ginseng?

What benefits does Siberian ginseng have to offer to make it on the list of superfoods and how can you experience its medicinal properties?

These and some other questions may pop up in your mind if you haven’t heard of this impressive superfood that comes all the way from Asia. But don’t worry, by the end of the article, you will be an expert on Siberian ginseng and will be ready to consume it for its nutritional perks.

What Is Siberian Ginseng?

Siberian ginseng, also known as eleuthero or eleutherococcus, has been used for centuries in its native areas of Asia and Russia. Siberian ginseng grows in the mountain forests of these areas of the world.This herb is not to be mixed up with its close relative, ginseng. Siberian ginseng is not a true ginseng, because it doesn’t contain ginsenosides.

This potent root is an adaptogen, which means that when it is ingested, it helps the body to increase its resistance to stress. Guess what that means? If you eat Siberian ginseng, your stress resistance can increase too.Siberian ginseng has been known for aiding your immune system, helping your mental performance and mental health and increasing your energy, vitality and longevity. Siberian ginseng can also miraculously lower your blood sugar, which is one of the first steps to weight loss and preventing or recovering from diabetes.

You can find this root sold in various forms, including solid extracts, liquid extracts, capsules, tablets and roots (dried and cut) for tea. When buying Siberian ginseng supplements, however, make sure to buy high quality supplements, because 25% of the products out there include no Siberian ginseng at all (tip: our Organifi Red Juice is made with the highest quality, tested, organic ingredients and it includes a potent dose of Siberian ginseng along with other powerful superfoods).

Why Should I Use Siberian Ginseng?

Being a powerhouse of nutrients and health benefits, Siberian ginseng is a true superfood. Whether you are dealing with an array of health conditions or just looking to upgrade your life, you can benefit from the superpowers of Siberian ginseng.Benefits – What Does Siberian Ginseng Do For You?Siberian ginseng has countless benefits for your physical and mental health, as well as your overall well-being.Do you want to improve your sleep, increase your energy, reduce inflammation, improve your mental health, better your sexual health, better your physical fitness, or more? It seems like no matter what your health goals are, you can find a healing friend in Siberian ginseng.Check out some of the powerful benefits that Siberian ginseng has to offer: Siberian ginseng has anti-inflammatory benefits Siberian ginseng can increase your cardiovascular performance Siberian ginseng can decrease fatigue and fight chronic fatigue Siberian ginseng can give you more energy Siberian ginseng can fight insomnia Siberian ginseng can decrease DNA damage Siberian ginseng can aid your physical fitness Siberian ginseng can increase your resistance to stress Siberian ginseng can help your lipid metabolism Siberian ginseng can improve your glucose metabolism and type 2 diabetes Siberian ginseng can improve your fibromyalgia symptoms Siberian ginseng can improve your depression symptoms Siberian ginseng can help your menopause symptoms Siberian ginseng can help sexual function, including your libido and fertility How Should I Use Siberian Ginseng?

You can find Siberian ginseng in many forms in health food stores, vitamin shops, Asian stores and online. There is no one way to take it and you can mix and match depending on your time and mood. Check out the various forms and ways you can use siberian ginseng.Fresh Siberian Ginseng Siberian ginseng is grown in some parts of Asia and Russia. You may also find Siberian ginseng roots in Chinese and Asian herbal stores in North America.

If you have the opportunity to try Siberian ginseng fresh, you can try slicing it up and eating it with a little honey on top or make a tea out of it.Siberian Ginseng ExtractYou can take Siberian ginseng as a liquid extract. This is an easy way to add Siberian ginseng to your life by mixing it with water, your green juice, green smoothie or homemade vitamin water. You can buy this online, in vitamin stores and in health food stores.Siberian Ginseng Supplement The easiest and quickest way to take Siberian ginseng may just be taking a pill supplement you can easily purchase at vitamin stores, health food stores and online. Siberian ginseng is also included in some supplements that mix various herbs and superfoods together for specific health benefits, including supplements for adrenal fatigue.Siberian Ginseng Tea Siberian ginseng tea is a popular healthy beverage enjoyed all over the world.

You can buy it online, at health food stores and at Asian supermarkets. You may enjoy Siberian ginseng tea any time of the day.Siberian Ginseng Powder Taking Siberian ginseng powder is another way to experience the benefits of Siberian ginseng. Make sure that it is a powdered extract and not just a powder. You can buy some online and at health food stores and mix in 1/4 tbsp or more to your favorite smoothies and raw goodies.You can also buy superfood juice and smoothie mixes with Siberian ginseng powder. When you buy Organifi Red Juice, you will not only benefit from the goodness of Siberian ginseng, but also other superfoods, like rhodiola, cordyceps, reishi and various superberries.Powerful Herbal Combinations If you start learning about herbs and superfoods, you will be amazed at how many powerful remedying foods are out there.Don’t worry, you don’t have to just pick one or two. This is totally the time to indulge and take advantage of a large array of herbs and superfoods.

When combined, many of these nutritional powerhouses work together and bring your body even more medicinal benefits.Knowing this, we’ve packed our Organifi products with numerous potent superfoods (including Siberian ginseng in Organifi Red!) to create a true healing army to support your health and well-being. Let’s take a look at how Siberian ginseng works together with some other magical herbs.Siberian Ginseng And Rhodiola Rhodiola, or otherwise known, golden root, grows in cooler mountain regions of the world. It is also a powerful superfood with many shared benefits that Siberian ginseng has. Both Siberian ginseng and rhodiola can decrease stress, decrease fatigue, increase energy, decrease depression symptoms and improve your performance. When working together, rhodiola adds the benefits of increased focus and help with weight loss.Organifi Red Juice includes both Siberian ginseng and rhodiola, allowing your body to experience synergy between Siberian ginseng and rhodiola.Siberian Ginseng And Ashwagandha another potent and popular superfood with countless benefits.

Ashwagandha works beautifully together with Siberian ginseng. They both have the power to help to reduce stress, improve depression, better your performance, reduce your blood sugar, lower your fatigue and improve sexual function. Ashwagandha can also improve your cholesterol, improve anxiety, improve your blood pressure and improve Alzheimer’s symptoms.Organifi Red Juice includes a healthy dose of Siberian ginseng, while Organifi Green Juice is powered by ashwagandha.

When consuming both juices regularly, you can experience the best of both worlds in upgrading your health.Siberian Ginseng Recipes Red Berry Protein Smoothie Berry Blast Frozen Yoghurt Organifi Berry Ice CreamFrequently Asked QuestionsQ. Is there anyone who should NOT use Siberian ginseng?

A. Do not take Siberian ginseng if you have narcolepsy, heart disease, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, serious mental illness (e.g. schizophrenia or mania), bleeding disorder, hormone-sensitive conditions or autoimmune conditions. If you are experiencing any health concerns, to be safe, talk to your doctor first. If you are taking any of the following medications, please, talk to your doctor before taking Siberian ginseng: anticoagulants, corticosteroids, digoxin, diabetes medication, medication for your immune system and medication broken down by your liver.Q. What is an effective serving of Siberian ginseng?

B. The standard dose is 300 – 1,200 mg. Since it is often used in a mix with other herbs, talk to your healthcare practitioner and find the right dose for you.Q. How long can I take Siberian ginseng for?A. Siberian ginseng can be taken for up to 3 months with 3-4 weeks break after that.Q. Is Siberian ginseng safe for children to take?

C. Because of some concerns of stimulant effects, it is not recommended to give Siberian ginseng to children, especially long-term, unless recommended by a healthcare professional. Some health practitioners may recommend Siberian ginseng to children during periods of stress.

Children still shouldn’t take Siberian ginseng for more than 2 consecutive weeks and should lower their dose based on their body weight (e.g. the adult dose above is calculated based on a 150 lb adult, children who are for example 50 lbs should take ⅓ of the dose). Teenagers (ages 12 and up) can safely take Siberian ginseng for up to 6 weeks. There is no information on long-term use for teenagers, so it’s recommended to talk to your healthcare providers if you are considering use for longer than 6 weeks.ConclusionSiberian ginseng is a potent superfood with countless benefits.

You can take Siberian ginseng in various forms, but the most powerful and cost effective way is to take a potent superfood mix where it can work together with other superfoods to enhance your health symbiotically.

Organifi Red Juice is a fantastic superfood juice blend made with Siberian ginseng, cordyceps, rhodiola, reishi and superberries. It can ignite your metabolism, help your mental clarity, fill your body with antioxidants, fight aging, revitalize your skin cells and of course, entertain your taste buds. Just mix it with water or add it to your green juice, smoothie and superfood and raw food recipes.

Nature has set it up so that the nut, grain, and seed may survive until proper growing conditions are present. Nature’s defense mechanism includes nutritional inhibitors and toxic substances that can be removed naturally when there is enough precipitation to sustain a new plant after the nut, grain or seed germinates. When it rains the nut, grain or seed gets wet and can then germinate to produce a plant. So we are mimicking nature when we soak our nuts, grains, and seeds.

Nutritional inhibitors and toxic substances found in nuts grains and seed can be minimized or eliminated by soaking. These inhibitors and toxic substances are enzyme inhibitors, phytates (phytic acid), polyphenols (tannins), and goitrogens.

What Are Enzyme Inhibitors?

There are digestive enzymes and metabolic enzymes. Digestive enzymes help break down food. Metabolic enzymes help every biological process the body does. Enzyme inhibitors will clog, warp or denature an active site of an enzyme. They may also bind to the enzyme, which will prevent the intended molecule from binding. “Once again, the habits of traditional peoples should serve as a guide. They understood instinctively that nuts are best soaked or partially sprouted before eaten. This is because nuts contain numerous enzyme inhibitors that can put a real strain on the digestive mechanism if consumed in excess.”

What Are Phytates?

All grains contain phytic acid in the outer layer or bran. Untreated phytic acid can combine with calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and especially zinc in the intestinal tract and block their absorption. This is why a diet high in unfermented whole grains may lead to serious mineral deficiencies and bone loss. The modern misguided practice of consuming large amounts of unprocessed bran often improves colon transit time at first but may lead to irritable bowel syndrome and, in the long term, many other adverse effects.

Why Soak Nuts, Grains, And Seeds?

• To remove or reduce phytic acid.
• To remove or reduce tannins.
• To neutralize the enzyme inhibitors.
• To encourage the production of beneficial enzymes.
• To increase the amounts of vitamins, especially B vitamins.
• To break down gluten and make digestion easier.
• To make the proteins more readily available for absorption.
• To prevent mineral deficiencies and bone loss.
• To help neutralize toxins in the colon and keep the colon clean.
• To prevent many health diseases and conditions.

Soaking allows enzymes, lactobacilli, and other helpful organisms to break down and neutralize a large portion of phytic acid in grains. Soaking in warm water also neutralizes enzyme inhibitors, present in all seeds, and encourages the production of numerous beneficial enzymes. The action of these enzymes also increases the amount of many vitamins, especially B vitamins. During the process of soaking and fermenting, gluten and other difficult-to-digest proteins are partially broken down into simpler components that are more readily available for absorption.

What Can Be Used To Soak Nuts, Grains, And Seeds?

I have found many references to soaking nuts, grains, and seeds in water, salt water, or a warm water mixture with something acidic like yogurt, whey or lemon juice. It seems within 7 to 24 hours the enzyme inhibitors are neutralized and the anti-nutrients are broken down regardless of the method you choose. There is evidence that the process works when you see sprouting begin.

How Long Does The Soaking Process Take?

As little as seven hours of soaking in warm acidulated water will neutralize a large portion of phytic acid in grains. The simple practice of soaking cracked or rolled cereal grains overnight will vastly improve their nutritional benefits. Flour products should be soaked at room temperature for at least twelve hours, but better results may be obtained with a twenty-four-hour soaking.