Do you know the benefits of non-alcoholic fermented beverages?

“Fermented beverages” is the name given to any beverage made from a liquid that has been fermented by a culture of bacteria or yeast long enough to change the composition of the original liquid. They are usually made from pieces of fruit (like Potybá products) or juice, wet grains, tea, or even milk.

The culture of bacteria and yeast is characteristic of each beverage, and these microorganisms are known as “probiotics”. During fermentation, they can lodge on the surface of the liquid, in the form of a gelatinous plate, but they are also found scattered throughout the “wort”, which is the liquid being fermented. This gelatinous plaque is called SCOBY, and it stands for “symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast”,

Believe me, there are many types of non-alcoholic fermented drinks, such as Kombucha, kefir, tepache, kvass or even our Sweet and Sour Sauce Potybá and our sparkling drink PotyPop. Despite being fermented, these drinks contain little (less than 1%) or no alcohol. You can think of these drinks more as a substitute for soft drinks than a substitute for beer or wine. A healthy substitute!

Fermented beverages have been around for centuries, and recently, scientific studies have shown their benefits. Let's cite some of the best-known:

- They balance the digestive system: they are sources of beneficial microorganisms, which will live in your intestine, help with digestion and fight invading bacteria, keeping you healthier.

- They improve the immune system: again the microorganisms are at work! They wage a real war against the invaders in our body.

- Help with inflammation: Fermentation produces some antioxidant compounds that capture free radicals and reduce inflammation in our body. And with that, they reduce the risk of several inflammatory diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, and even some types of cancer.

- Improve mood: Researchers have found that the gut is linked to neurons that can affect our emotions and feelings. Serotonin, for example, is produced in the intestine.

So, when you think of probiotics, don't think they just "make #2 easier." Remember that nowadays the digestive system is considered the second brain and that with a balanced intestinal flora you are much healthier and in a good mood.

References:

Marsh, A. J.; Hill, C.; Ross, R. P.; Cotter, P. D. Fermented beverages with health-promoting potential: Past and future perspectives. Trends in food science & technology, 2014, Vol.38 (2), p.113-124

Valero-Cases E, Cerdá-Bernad D, Pastor J-J, Frutos M-J. Non-Dairy Fermented Beverages as Potential Carriers to Ensure Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Bioactive Compounds Arrival to the Gut and Their Health Benefits. Nutrients. 2020; 12(6):1666.