“My Toilet Routine Became Clockwork” – What Drinking Kombucha Every Day For A Week Does To Your Body
From acai and goji berry to avocado and kale, ‘superfoods’ have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. Despite these food items having been around since forever, why have they been marketed as though no one knew about their benefits?
I never understood the importance of gut health until I was falling sick more often and feeling tired and lethargic all the time. After a severe case of food poisoning last year and not getting proper rest, I started getting really interested in probiotics to help strengthen my immune system.
Probiotics are good bacteria that help stabilise your gut and strengthens your immune system. They can be found in fermented food like yogurt, kimchi and kombucha.
Now, I’ve always been a skeptic of kombucha as it’s been overhyped over the last couple of years. After a first bad experience drinking it in San Francisco, I stayed away from kombucha for the longest time ever. But after reading up on some health benefits, I knew I had to give it another chance.
So I went straight to the source and sought help from experts instead. And I came across Winnie And Zhiwei, founders of local kombucha and kefir makers Craft & Culture.
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Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]
Does Kombucha Actually Work?
But while skeptics (like me) definitely aren’t wrong in believing that superfoods could simply be overhyped fads, there are also individuals who have seen actual health benefits after incorporating these items into their diet.
One of these skeptics-turned-believers is Winnie, co-founder of local kombucha and kefir makers Craft & Culture. After experiencing food allergies, indigestion problems and falling ill frequently, she was introduced to Kombucha by a friend who suggested that it would help boost her immune system naturally.
For the unacquainted, Kombucha is a fermented drink brewed with tea, sugar, water and a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). It tastes like something between a diluted apple cider vinegar or Korean fruit vinegar – depending on the types of teas and sugar used.
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Kombucha SCOBY | Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]
Its origins date back to ancient China, one of the first civilizations to recognize the health benefits of kombucha. Its benefits were also backed by researchers in Switzerland who reported that “drinking kombucha was similarly beneficial as eating yogurt”.
It’s the probiotics that really make this beverage a healthy one. There are good bacteria and bad bacteria inside our gut and probiotics tend to fit in the good bacteria category, as they are shown to have positive health benefits on our digestive system. Having a regular intake of probiotics prevents you from falling sick because your immune system is 80% dependent on the health of your intestines.
On the other hand, Kefir is a fermented milk drink which originated from the north Caucasus Mountains and is fermented from Kefir cultures “which are a combination of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. While it reminds me a lot of Greek yogurt, Kefir is said to have about 20 times more probiotics and nutrients.
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Kefir Grains | Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]
The Experiment
In order to see for myself if kombucha and kefir really does deliver on its health benefits, including help with bloating, digestion and improving my gut health overall, I decided to drink it for a week.
Winnie and Zhiwei packed my first batch of kombucha and kefir and I couldn’t wait to try it out. I was excited as the drinks came in a variety of flavours so I knew I had something new to try everyday. As I have poor digestive health, I was told to start with 1/3 of kefir in the morning and half a bottle of kombucha in the afternoon.
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Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]
They both warned me that kombucha and kefir loads your system with good bacteria and this can cause a mini ‘war’ in your gut. I gave a faint smile and mentally prepped myself for a long week at work (or the toilet for my case).
The First Few Days
I started my morning as instructed. I was a huge fan of the kefir as it reminded me of drinking mango lassi but the bad news was 1/3 kefir proved to be too much for my sensitive gut to handle. I ended up running to the toilet an hour later.
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Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]
It didn’t help that I drank half a bottle of kombucha a few hours later. The first 2 days of drinking kombucha and kefir was truly hell as I was feeling bloated half the time and I felt really uncomfortable throughout the day. The solution? I gave my gut time to rest and continued taking the probiotics but in smaller amounts. It got better on the third day and I found myself being able to down the entire bottle for breakfast and lunch.
Major Changes That I Noticed
As the days passed, I found myself feeling lighter and happier while making my way to work. I swapped my usual order of kopi siew dai for a bottle of kefir and kombucha everyday and noticed that I was feeling more refreshed and alert even if I didn’t get enough sleep the previous night. For someone who starts feeling sluggish and reaching out of the munchies at 4pm, I felt a whole lot better once I included more probiotics in my diet.
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Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]
Intrigued, I did a little bit more research and found out that probiotics could relieve mental health conditions like stress and anxiety. Which makes complete sense as if one had an unhealthy gut and lifestyle, less dopamine is produced. This means that people with unhealthy guts tend to be more unhappy. Connecting the dots between gut health and brain health was a life-changing moment for me.
After including kombucha in my diet, I was able to have a “smooth move” every morning and my toilet routine became clockwork. Drinking kombucha and kefir regularly seems to have really improved my gut health in just a week.
Will I Keep Going?
After a week of drinking kombucha and kefir daily, I must admit that I’m now a convert. I’ve previously had kombucha that tasted very “yeasty” but Craft & Culture’s beverages proves that healthy drinks don’t have to taste bland.
I love how it tastes and – more importantly – how it makes me feel. If it means improving my gut health and overall happiness, I’ll probably up the dosage of kombucha to 2 bottles per day.
Give kombucha and kefir a try and check out the offerings at Craft & Culture if you’re looking to improve your digestive health!
Craft & Culture
Website | Instagram | Facebook
(Header Image Source: Discover SG)
8 Fun Fitness Classes For Ladies Who Cannot Cardio For Their Life
If going for a run or hitting the gym isn’t your cup of tea, welcome to the club. We can all admit that we’d rather stuff our faces with Doritos while watching reruns of Friends.
If you’re having trouble keeping to your New Year’s resolution of leading a healthier lifestyle, here’s a list of fun fitness classes for you ladies who might be intimidated to workout in a gym full of alpha males.
Grab your girlfriends and sign up for these classes. Who knows you might just find working out fun again!
Goodbye Gyms, Hello….
1. CruCycle
Raise your hands if spin bikes are your go-to equipments at the gym. This spin class takes your regular cycling to a whole new level!
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Image Credit: CruCycle Facebook[/caption]
This boutique indoor cycling studio located on Duxton Road, offers a series of high energy, full-body workouts held in a dark candle-lit room.
If you’re someone who loves to blast your music while working out, CruCycle is perfect for you as it fuses cool music, working out and energetic vibes all around!
CruCycle provides a range of classes with different levels. So if you’re new to spin, don’t worry they have classes suited just for you.
CruCycle Learning from a male instructor for the very first time may be intimidating however at Juggernaut Studio, be prepared to be trained by Singapore’s First Female Professional Boxing Champion, Nurshahidah Roslie. Kickboxing is known to be one of the most effective and efficient workout to keeping fit. If you ever wanted to learn combat-sports without the fear of getting hit or to just simply get out of your comfort zone, Juggernaut Studio is the best place for first time rookies! Juggernaut Studio Have you ever wondered why clubbing isn’t considered a form of exercise yet? Dancing the night away in your six inch heels should really be considered an Olympic Sport. Dance fitness Clubbercise has come up with a dance routine called Pulse. Done with lights out, you get to hold a glow stick in each hand as you dance to electrifying club music for 45 minutes. An instructor will guide you through the moves but feel free to improvise if you’re really feeling the beat. If you’re an awkward person and you have two left feet, don’t worry. The room is dark. Barely anyone will notice your dorky dance moves! Clubbercise By Virgin Active Tanjong Pagar Clubbercise By Virgin Active Raffles Place For those who are not afraid to fly, this may just be the perfect workout for you. Aerial Hoop is considered an art form that requires strength, flexibility, balance, control and grace to master. Aerial and Floor provides classes that will increase your muscle strength, tone your body especially the core. So if you’re looking at toning your body and gaining muscle strength, this is the class for you. Also if you plan on joining the circus some day, you can learn how to perform aerial acrobatics while being suspended from a hoop mid air! Aerial And Floor If you’re new to the barre scene, you can try out their Fundamentals class which offers you a taste of Barre in an intimate setting and a slower pace, while hardcore workout junkies can opt for the Webarre HIIT class which pushes limits and burns calories. Get ready to tuck, lift and plié your way through this class. WeBarre Tanjong Pagar WeBarre Telok Ayer WeBarre Clarke Quay Get wet, tone up and get fit! Aqua Cycling is a water-based fitness craze which has you spinning on a stationary bike submerged in water. This form of exercise is highly effective at burning 3 times more calories than regular land based exercises. Time to combat those cellulite! Aqua cycling classes organised by Aquaspin, is designed to give you a full body workout and helps strengthen your core, back and upper body all at the same time. All you pregnant ladies out there, if you’re looking to keep fit throughout your pregnancy, this aqua cycling classes are perfect for you! Due to the buoyancy of the water, less strain is put on your back, hips and other parts of your body. Best part, being in a pool means you won’t be a hot sweaty mess after an intense cycling workout. Aquaspin YWCA Think pole dancing is easy? Well, think again. Pole dancing is an exciting way to get fit. SLAP (Singapore Lap And Pole) Dance Studio offers classes that delivers a great cardiovascular workout, strength training, fun dance routines and acrobatics. It’s a perfect way to break out of your comfort zone and try out something new for the year. For just $15, treat yourself and a girlfriend to an hour workout class filled with a bit of striptease, lap and pole dance! Professionally trained instructors at SLAP conducts classes suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced pole and exotic dancers. So don’t worry if you have no prior experience. SLAP Dance Studio All you need to do: Step on a mini trampoline and jump your way through exercises choreographed to chart-topping music. Even NASA scientists have proven that bouncing on a mini trampoline is 68% more effective than jogging and yet requires less effort! The principles behind the programme are aimed at High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T) to maximise the most effective fat burning process in the cardio section. Say hello to toned legs and flat tummy for days! Boogie Bounce Xtreme Singapore Also Read 7 Free Playgrounds In Shopping Malls To Bring Your Kids To Over The Weekends (Header Image Source: Aerial And Floor Facebook)
Address: 68 Duxton Road, Singapore 089527
Price: $50 (For first timers, 2 classes), $215 (5 classes, 1 month validity)
Contact No.: 6509 8880
Image Credit: Juggernaut Studio Facebook[/caption]
Address: 57 Boat Quay, Singapore 049846
Price: $180 (1 month), $510 (3 months)
Contact No.: 6920 7515
Website3. Clubbercise
Image Credit: Virgin Active Singapore Facebook[/caption]
Address: Tanjong Pagar Centre, 7 Wallich Street, #06-01, Singapore 078884
Contact No.: 6908 8920
Website
Address: Tower 2, One Raffles Place, Level 6, Singapore 048616
Contact No.: 6908 7878
Website4. Aerial Hoop
Image Credit: Aerial and Floor Facebook[/caption]
Address: 7B Trengganu Street, Singapore 058461
Price: $38 (1 class, 1 week validity), $240 (8 classes, 2 month validity)
Contact No.: 9677 7948
Image Credit: WeBarre Facebook[/caption]
Address: 86B Tanjong Pagar Rd, Level 2, Singapore 088507
Price: $40 (1 class, 2 weeks validity), $355 (10 classes, 4 months validity)
Contact Number: 6221 5539
Website
Address: 5A Stanley Street, Level 2, Singapore 068724
Contact Number: 6221 9256
Address: 39C North Canal, Level 4, Singapore 059295
Contact Number: 6535 01046. Aqua Cycling
Image Credit: Aquaspin Facebook[/caption]
Address: 6 Fort Canning Rd
Price: $50 (1 session), $180 (4 sessions)
Aquaspin Shangri-La
Address: 22 Orange Grove Rd, Singapore 258350
7. Pole Dance
Image Credit: SLAP Dance Studio Facebook[/caption]
Address: Robinson Square, 144 Robinson Road, #17-02 (reception), #10-01, #11-02, Singapore 068908
Price: $100 (10 sessions)
Contact No.: 6636 4622
Image Credit: Boogie Bounce Xtreme Singapore Facebook[/caption]
Address: Various ActiveSG Sport Centres
Website
Because Working Out Is A Pain, These 6 Unconventional Gyms Are Making It Fun To Burn Calories
Tired of going to the gym or need a change from your usual HIIT sessions?
Keeping fit can be a dud, and sometimes, switching things up can be a big help, especially when you’re losing steam keeping up with your fitness routine.
If you’ve hit this point, here are some other fitness classes you can sign up for. Not only will you have a blast, you’ll also burn some major calories! Don’t settle for the mundane, because there is a world of exciting fitness alternatives out there!
1. WeBarre
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Image Credit: Sassy Mama[/caption]
WeBarre is the first boutique barre studio in Singapore. With a range of dynamic programmes such as WeBarre Fundamentals, WeBarre Signature Multi-Level and WeBarre HITT, these sessions will help you find your inner poise and grace.
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Image Credit: Price: $38 per class
2. SURFSET Singapore
Drawing inspiration from the adventurous spirit of surfers, SURFSET Singapore focuses heavily on the core with a fun and engaging workout.
They offer three different fitness programs to maximise an individual’s potential: SURFSET Balance, SURFSET Core, and SURFSET Sweat.
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Image Credit: Price: $35 per class
3. Aquaspin
If regular spin class is not challenging enough for you, Aqua Spinning may be the way to go.
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Image Credit: Sassy Mama[/caption]
Aquaspin has revolutionised aquatic training by adapting land-based exercise programs for the water. They have combined regular sports such as running, cycling, body weight training, and aerobics with the benefits of water resistance training.
An aqua spin class will put you through various types of intensive pedalling exercises. Far from just splashing about in the water, just one session will allow you to burn up to 800 calories!
Aqua Spin
Address: Polo Club, 80 Mount Pleasant Rd, Singapore 298334
Opening Hours: Daily, 8.30am – 9pm
Image Credit: BBOUNCE Studio screams “Singapore’s Hottest Hybrid Workout!” on their website, and we can see why. They offer a range of comprehensive strength and cardio workouts on TRAMPOLINES. Unleash your inner kid as you take on their fitness classes.
BBOUNCE Studio’s founders, Joel Tan and Leslie Kwok (both former national swimmers) emphasise low-impact and fun exercises that improve lymph flow while purging toxins from your body cells.
If you’ve been putting off fitness for the longest time, BBOUNCE is an excellent first step to get back into shape.
BBOUNCE Studio [caption id="attachment_29019" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Pulse is a class that involves high energy dance moves, during which you can burn up to 500 calories. In addition, each participant will hold a bright fluorescent glow stick in each hand to illuminate the dimmed room.
Address: Polo Club, 80 Mount Pleasant Rd, Singapore 298334
Opening Hours: Daily, 8.30am – 9pm
5. Pulse by Virgin Active
Image Credit: Picture a club with the lights out, where the club anthem is booming – except everyone is in activewear. That’s essentially what Virgin Active offers.
Image Credit: Here, you’ll hardly feel like you’re exercising, and you’ll work up a sweat before you know it!
Virgin Active You may or may not have seen this new workout popping up on your Facebook feed – Bungee Dance Workout offered only by Dancevault.
Address: Tanjong Pagar Centre, 7 Wallich Street, #06-01, Singapore 078884
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 6.30am – 10.30pm; Sat – Sun & PH: 8am – 8pm
6. Bungee Dance Workout by Dancevault
Image Credit: Described as a full workout, this low-impact workout is recommended to anyone who’s looking for cardio and muscle toning movements, all in one session.
Fun fact: The insanely strong and durable bungee cords are able to support up to 2500kg, so people of any size and weight can be rest assured they’ll be safe during their workout.
Dancevault
Address: 135 East Coast Road, #02-01, Singapore 428820
Opening Hours: Daily, 9.30am – 10pm
Website
Price: $22 per class
Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining an active lifestyle.
But of course, it’s only normal to get lazy and to lose motivation, especially when your workouts start to become routine and monotonous.
In these instances, switch things up with any one of the unique fitness classes available in Singapore! Not only are they fun, they’re also physically challenging – your body will surely thank you later for it!
Also read These Pretty Pink Drinks Are Bangkok’s Latest Tea Trend, Because Thai Milk Tea Is So 2015
