Name a better feeling than putting on your softest sweater, fuzzy socks, and turning on your favorite holiday movie. Any ideas? Here’s one: how about doing all of those things with a bubbly, gut-supporting beverage in hand?! 

With the abundance of festive meals, sweet treats, and social gatherings this time of year, it can be easy to overlook caring for yourself and your gut. So, in this blog, we’re taking a deeper look into one of our favorite gut-healthy beverages and the benefits it can bring to your holiday season. 

Why is Gut Health Important? 

Each of the structures along your gastrointestinal (GI) tract work together to digest and absorb the nutrients your body needs . Your large intestine (sometimes referred to as your colon) is the structure in your GI tract that is often referred to as “the gut.” It’s responsible for water absorption, stool formation, and houses a diverse ecosystem of microbes that we call “the gut microbiome.” These microbes can aid in digestion, support your immune system, synthesize certain vitamins, and more.  

There are a ton of variables over the holiday season that can disrupt your digestion and overall gut health. Think: the abundance of rich foods, alcohol, being outside of your usual routine, meals that are lacking in fiber, and more. That’s why it’s especially important this time of year to look for small things you can do to support a happy gut. Enter… 

Kombucha: A festive (and fermented) friend!  

Here at Health-Ade, it’s no secret that we’re big fans of kombucha in every season. But here are four reasons why we think it deserves an extra special spot in your holiday celebrations!  

It Has Probiotic Power

“Probiotics” are defined as live and active cultures that offer a health benefit to the host (that’s you!) when consumed in adequate amounts. Kombucha is a fermented tea that contains these live and active cultures that can support a healthy and diverse gut microbiome.   

It’s Sweet, But Not Too Sweet 

In every bottle of Health-Ade kombucha, you’ll find a balance of sweet and tangy flavors with less than 19 grams of added sugar. To put that into perspective, other popular holiday beverages like soda and punch often contain around 40 grams of added sugar per serving. Plus, did you know that the sugar added to kombucha isn’t just for flavor, but it’s a necessary component to fuel the fermentation process?  

Sugar isn’t inherently bad, and it will always be a part of holiday food traditions, but if you’re looking to be mindful of added sugars and how they make you feel, start by exploring some lower-sugar beverage alternatives. Kombucha also makes a great mocktail base if you’re trying to cut back on alcohol consumption!  

It Contains Antioxidants

The tea that’s used as a base for kombucha contains antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress in the body that can cause damage to your cells over time. Adding a boost of antioxidants to your glass can be extra beneficial during the holiday season, especially when stress levels run high. You can also add them to your plate with colorful fruits and veggies whenever possible.  

It’s Versatile and Delicious

From Holiday Cheers to Pink Lady Apple, Ginger Lemon, and Pomegranate Blueberry, you can find Health-Ade kombucha in such a wide variety of flavors that you’ll have no problem discovering the perfect match for your holiday menu. You can enjoy it straight from the bottle, over ice in a festive glass, or mixed with seltzer water and a splash of cranberry or pomegranate juice for a winter mocktail. 

Cheers to a happy and healthy holiday! 

Know that supporting your gut doesn’t have to be overly complicated this holiday season. Stay hydrated, eat a variety of fiber-containing foods, and give your gut the gift of kombucha. Happy holidays!  

This blog post was written by Claire Chewning, RDN & Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor

Claire is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor who's not on board with restrictive diets. She’s the owner and founder of Yours Chewly Nutrition, a virtual private practice where she helps individuals heal from chronic dieting and disordered eating so that they can discover peace and trust in their relationships with food + body. She’s also Health-Ade’s Registered Dietitian Advisor and loves educating employees and consumers about all things gut health from a non-diet perspective! She even writes a few blogs from time to time. Cheers!