The Beauty Benefits Of Fermented Drinks

There’s no party without a fermented drink. However, fermented drinks provide more to us than just a good buzz.

The process of fermentation isn’t a new thing. For thousands of years, people have been soaking vegetables and fruits in their own juices in order to preserve them. But only in the last couple of decades have they realized the importance of fermentation for gut health.

But what is the connection between your gut and your skin, you might ask? Research shows that skin conditions such as dermatitis, rosacea, eczema, and even acne, might all be partly due to gut dysbiosis - the disbalance between the friendly and unfriendly bacteria in your digestive system. Fermented drinks cause the levels of lactic acid in gut to increase, making it almost impossible for the unfriendly bacteria to survive, thus restoring the lost balance.

If you are healthy, this will definitely have a positive effect on your skin. But fermented drinks go even further. One of their major benefits is the promotion of B vitamins production. But that’s not all, as you will see below.

The best part is that fermented drinks are readily available nowadays even in supermarkets. Here is what to look for.

(Image credit: Emma Christensen)

Kombucha

To be completely honest, the “mushroom tea” (as it is often called) is not something your palate will be crazy about at first sip. But while you are drinking it, think of this: kombucha is rich in lactic acid, acetic acid, gluconic acid, enzymes, vitamins (especially B vitamins and vitamin C), which all help your pancreas in detoxifying your body more effectively. Once the toxins are gone, you can wave goodbye to hormonal acne. Advocates of the drink claim that a glass of kombucha a day might improve your skin’s hydration and elasticity. It’s worth a try!

Kefir

There are many milk-based types of fermented drinks, but the award for the most beneficial one healthwise would probably go to kefir. Not only does it contributes to the microbial balance in your gut, but it also offers superb support to the immune system due to high concentration of antioxidants. Kefir helps your body fight inflammation faster, and rids your skin of pimples and redness. Always look for goat’s milk kefir as it is easier to digest, and make sure it doesn’t contain any flavourings and sugar. If you are lactose-intolerant, kefir can also be a great foundation for a face mask.

Kvass

You’ll be happy to hear that this thirst-quenching non-alcoholic beverage is naturally sweet (thanks to the sugar found in beets) and its taste is much more pleasant than that of kombucha. The Russians drink it occasionally to refresh and due to its many health benefits, too. As far as your skin is concerned, these benefits include high levels of vitamin C for increased collagen synthesis, and betalains to keep the pH balance in check.

Beer

Women in ancient Egypt knew of the cosmetic and therapeutic uses of beer, but we seem to have forgotten about them. From slowing down sebum production and reducing acne breakouts, to keeping the pH level at a 5.0 mark, to dissolving dead skin cells and renewing skin’s elasticity, there’s little beer can’t do thanks to the microorganisms that are found in brewer’s yeast (one of the main ingredients of beer). Saccaromyces cereviseae, as these are called, simply thrive on human skin and proliferate so fast that they leave no room for skin-unfriendly bacteria to spread. Beer works best when applied topically. Add a few drops to a paste made from fresh strawberries, smear it on the face, leave it sit for 20 minutes, then rinse. Your skin feels great, doesn’t it?