A Gut Doctor's Favorite Microbiome-Boosting Tonic Is Crazy Easy To Make

In my clinical practice, I have found that fermented foods can have a huge impact on the health of the gut. Fermented foods, like kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh, and kefir, are rich in probiotic lactobacillus bacteria that help balance the gut ecology and promote a healthy gut lining. Fermentation was a way to prolong the shelf life of foods back in ancient times. Coincidentally, fermentation was an accidental discovery, which augmented the symbiotic relationship with bacteria that we evolved with over hundreds of years.

A healthy prebiotic- and probiotic-rich carbonated beverage great for helping to balance your gut ecosystem.

Makes 4 cups

* Water kefir grains can be found in natural-food stores or online at Amazon. With proper care, the culture can be used indefinitely to create probiotic-rich kefir. Your grains will not grow as quickly in coconut water as they will in a nice bath of nutrient-rich sugar. Refresh and reactivate the kefir grains in sugar water (¼ cup sugar in 4 cups water) for 24 to 48 hours between batches of Coconut Water Kefir. The sugar water will keep the grains healthy for the long term.