Optimize the Use of a Ginger Bug in Your Diet
Fermenting with a ginger bug brings natural carbonation to your drinks, but if it's not used in the right way it can cause burping or an upset stomach. In this post, we’ll explore what I call the “carbonation bell curve” and discuss the best way to consume ginger bug-based drinks for optimal digestion and nutrition.
Understanding the Ginger Bug Carbonation Bell Curve
If you've made a ginger bug, you’ve probably noticed that carbonation doesn’t happen all at once. Instead, it follows a bell-shaped curve, little bubbles appear then they gradually increase in bubble amount and bubble volume. When you hit max bubble numbers and bubble size you are at the top of the bell-curve. Then gradually the bubbles will start to diminish as you keep stirring.
The ideal time to consume: For the best digestive support and maximum nutrient absorption, I recommend having your ginger bug sodas or tonics on the descending side of the carbonation bell curve. This timing helps in two key ways:
Improved Carbonation: Less agressive bubbles that are easier to digest compared to big 'violent' bubbles at the top of the bell-curve.
Less Free Sugars: As the carbonation decreases, yeast activity has metabolized the sugars into nutrients your body can use. Free sugars in the gut are a main culprit to upset stomach, gas development, and bloating.
Higher Nutrient Levels: Vitamins and enzymes are often at their highest as the yeast matures and metabolizes the free sugars into nutrients. These nutrients further help digestion as well.
Don't consume your ginger bug drinks when... you are at the increasing and top end of the bell-curve (a young ginger bug). The high yeast activity, agressive bubbles, and low nutrient development will cause burping and an upset stomach.
How to Incorporate Ginger Bug Fermented Drinks into Your Diet
Timing is everything. Here’s how to incorporate ginger bug drinks thoughtfully:
Ginger Bug Soda: In a flip top jar pour about a quarter the way up your ginger bug and fill the rest up with a sweet liquid. It should be as sweet as apple juice. Put a breathable cover over it (cheese cloth or kitchen towel) to let the yeasts breath and go over the carbonation bell-curve. THEN seal with the flip-top bottle and let the descending end of the bell-curve carbonate the drink for a few hours at room temperature. Put it in the fridge to let the yeasts settle before serving.
As a Daily Digestive Tonic: You can pour off some ginger bug soda to make room for future ginger bug feedings by sipping a small amount of ginger bug 10-15 minutes before meals (that's on the descending end of the curve). This gives your gut a head start on digestion. If you get indigestion then your ginger bug is too young (not over the bell-curve yet)
Post-Meal Support: Same as the Digestive tonic, you can also have your ginger bug as a post-meal aid to help with digestion.
Want to see more about the carbonation bell curve in action? Check out my latest YouTube video where I walk through the details of making the most out of a ginger bug in your diet.
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