One of the primary health benefits of kombucha is promoting better digestion. Made from tea, kombucha’s probiotics can help alleviate problems like constipation and bloating. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support gut health, reduce inflammation, and improve antioxidant activity. By introducing healthy probiotics into the digestive system, kombucha aids in maintaining a healthy inflammatory response, supporting stomach and intestinal cell health, and enhancing the overall digestive process.

The healthy bacteria in kombucha’s probiotics play a vital role in breaking down fiber, regulating fat absorption, and influencing appetite. By assisting the body in absorbing essential nutrients while keeping harmful substances at bay, kombucha helps promote a feeling of fullness, leading to reduced food intake and better weight management. Moreover, kombucha brewed with green tea offers an additional advantage, because green tea contains antioxidants like polyphenols that increase calorie burning.

Recent research has shown that kombucha’s antioxidants may have a positive impact on liver health. In particular, they may help reduce liver toxicity and combat free radicals that disrupt normal bodily functions. This is crucial for those dealing with fatty liver disease, a condition where excess fat accumulates in the liver. Made from tea, kombucha has been found to reduce the effects of this condition and even repair liver damage.

Cholesterol management is another area where kombucha can make a difference. Certain kombuchas brewed with green tea contain beneficial compounds like polyphenols and antioxidants, which boost good HDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, these compounds prevent cholesterol particles from oxidizing, which helps maintain healthy levels of bad LDL cholesterol. By offering a two-pronged approach to cholesterol management, kombucha can play a role in reducing the risk of heart-related issues.

Finally, kombucha can contribute to steadier blood sugar levels. The fermented tea juice drink regulates the absorption of carbohydrates, keeping blood sugar levels stable after meals. For those aiming to stabilize their blood sugar and maintain balanced energy levels throughout the day, kombucha may prove to be a valuable addition to their dietary regimen.

It was the love of food that made Maneet Chauhan a successful chef, but it’s the same career that took her away from her homeland. After moving to the USA to get admitted to the Culinary School of America, Chauhan lost her link to the festival of Diwali, a celebration very significant to her Indian culture and also to her childhood memory of foods. Now settled in the USA, chef and TV star Maneet Chauhan proudly holds the badge of honor of being Indian. She keeps those memories and connections alive by celebrating Diwali at home, with all the authentic traditions and the dishes her mother used to prepare for the occasion.

The Family on Diwali

Maneet Chauhan left her hometown in Jharkhand, India to study the culinary arts in America. Now, she and her husband, Vivek Deora, live in Nashville, with their son Karma and daughter Shagun. After years of assimilating into the western culture, Chauhan is back to relishing her roots and also wants her children to be aware of their cultural origins. She created her own Diwali traditions and started to host Diwali parties along with her husband for their friends and families, both Indians and Americans. They decorate their home with traditional rangolis, candles, and fresh marigolds, polish the pious silverware, prepare Indian dishes, and put up DJ and Mehendi stalls for the party.

The Idea Behind

It’s important for Maneet Chauhan to keep her Indian traditions alive and to give her non-Indian friends a glimpse of the fun festivities of Diwali, the biggest holiday of the year for the world’s second-largest populated country. Her Diwali house parties are her way to get everyone together and appreciate each other’s cultural traditions while having fun. There can be a lot of nuances to putting everything together for one to two days, but when people start to come with smiling faces and leave with wider laughs, Chauhan knows all her efforts are worth it. She believes that there’s no better way to get to know and appreciate each other than eating, dancing, and enjoying each other, even with cultural differences.

The Dishes to Feast

Of course, the Diwali party of celebrated chef Maneet Chauhan isn’t complete without her own homemade foods. Chauhan cheerfully admits that she often goes overboard while presenting a delectable Indian feast for her Diwali parties. She generally starts with Chicken Tikka Masala Samosas, which she first created for her kids. There are also Masala Mixed Nuts to snack on. This seasoned and fried nut mix is a favorite childhood snack of Chauhan. For dinner, the guests feast on Tandoori Pomfret, a richly marinated flaky fish, prized in India. The center of the meal is Laal Maas with Sweet Saffron Zarda Pulao, a Rajasthani goat meat and rice dish inspired by Chauhan’s mother’s cooking. To finish with a sweet note, Chauhan presents Marigold Pooris with Rose Halwa, a Diwali-special dessert creation. Chauhan also encourages everyone at her party to eat with their hands like a traditional Indian. The guests generally oblige, as the foods turn out to be finger-licking good!