Beet Kvass - My New Go to Fitness Supplement Drink
A chance sip of a Beet Kvass drink was all it took to make me do some research and find out how I could make my own brew. But first, what is Beet Kvass, and why the sudden interest?
What is Beet Kvass and what are the Health Benefits?
Beet Kvass is a fermented drink made from beetroot, (filtered) water, garlic, peppercorns, and sea salt. This colourful, slightly tangy drink is not only easy to make but also packed with health benefits. It's a rich and nutritious probiotic drink that originates from Eastern Europe, and it was a Polish connection that I first found out about it.
Why the Sudden Interest?
A slightly intolerant stomach means that I can't take gels on ultra-processed gels or energy bars on runs, especially races, so I've had to guard against upsetting my stomach and as a result, I've not run as many races as I would like to have done. I have been using with limited success probiotic pills, but as these are supplements, not medicated, I am suspicious that they work at all. So, I have been looking for natural fermented food, hence my interest in sourdough bread , rich in natural lactobacilli, and something I have been making on a regular basis now since 2017, in an attempt to try to improve my gut biome at the same time.
A Polish friend had left some Beet Kvass with my parents, and during a passing visit I tried some out of interest. Sometimes you know when something is good for you, and the taste wasn't unpleasant, and so for the few days I was there at my parents I took some each day. My stomach was better that week than it had been for many, and so I put that down to the Beet Kvass.
On returning home, I looked up some recipes on the internet and started to make my own. I started drinking kvass around the same time I was clocking up the miles in my On CloudStratus running shoes — whether the kvass helped recovery I honestly can't say, but the timing was good.
Beet Kvass Drink Recipe:
- 3 x medium sized beetroots washed
- 3-4 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon of good quality Sea Salt
- Enough filtered tap water, or bottled water, to cover the beetroots
- some peppercorns
- 1-2 Bay leaves
Method:
- Don't peel the beetroots, just slice thinly into discs and add them to a large Kilner jar (mine is from Ikea), arranging them in layers until you reach the top of the jar. I put the garlic, peppercorns, and the bay leaves at the bottom so that the layers weigh down and stop them floating to the top.
- Allow enough space to add a small glass ramekin dish that I use in order to keep the beetroot below the water. If anything pokes out above the liquid, it will go mouldy, and you'll have to throw the mix away.
- Leave on the counter in your kitchen, out of the sun, for at least 1 week to 10 days, then you just need decant it into a clean bottle to store in the fridge. It should store for weeks, but I find that this will last me about a week, in the meantime I have the next one brewing up, so I am never out of stock!
- How much Beet Kvass should you drink per day? Well, I pour a large shot glass about 50ml, and try to have it after I've eaten my last meal at night, at about 8pm. Then the probiotic benefits can work on my gut and intestines while I sleep. I won't eat anything then till about 7am, so I am nearly getting 12 hours fasting every night.
Oh, and here are some more reasons why it's becoming my new go-to fitness supplement drink:
Benefits of drinking Beet Kvass?
- Rich in Probiotics : Beet Kvass is a fermented drink that contains beneficial bacteria, supporting gut health and digestion.
- Nutrient-Dense : It's packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from beetroots.
- Potential Athletic Performance Booster : The naturally occurring nitrates in beetroots may enhance athletic performance by improving endurance and reducing muscle soreness.
- Heart Health Support : Beet Kvass may help improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure due to its nitrate content.
- Liver Support : Beetroots may help support liver function and detoxification.
Alternatives to Beet Kvass
While Beet Kvass offers unique benefits, there are other fermented drinks you might consider:
- Kombucha : A fermented tea rich in probiotics and antioxidants.
- Water Kefir : A dairy-free probiotic drink made from water kefir grains.
- Jun Tea : Sometimes called the "champagne of kombucha," it's made with green tea and raw honey.
- Tepache : A Mexican fermented drink made from pineapple rinds.
- Ginger Beer : A fermented, non-alcoholic beverage with a spicy kick.
From this list I've only tried Kombucha and the Ginger Beer, so I can't say for definite if the rest are any good. But I do plan to make each of these and test them out, so stay tuned for my experiences and recipes as I take on this fermented journey!