Black Cherry Vanilla Smoothie

Pass out our boozy Black Cherry Vanilla Smoothie at your Labor Day party. So delicious, your guests will claw their way to a second serving. The secret ingredients? Black cherry White Claw and vanilla kefir. Please enjoy responsibly. For ages 21 and up only. For an alcohol-free alternative, simply use a black cherry flavored soda of choice either a probiotic one like Olli Pop Cherry Vanilla or a sugar-free soda made with stevia, such as Zevia in the Black Cherry flavor instead of a White Claw.

Muscle Protection: Not Just for Athletes

Endurance athletes have been consuming tart cherry juice since the 1900s, but they’re not the only ones who can benefit from it. Physical activity of any level typically leads to better health, but it also causes muscle damage (you need to break down muscle to build muscle), which can lead to inflammation and pain. Muscle fatigue and pain can also manifest from everyday activities like walking, gardening, and carrying groceries. Tart cherry juice may be what you need to soothe your muscles. In fact, tart cherry juice may provide relief for those with osteoarthritis and any other type of knee pain.

Cardiovascular Support

A healthy heart makes for a healthy life. A cocktail of mindful eating, exercise, and stress reduction is always recommended to improve your wellbeing. Drinking tart cherry juice is, well, like putting the cherry on top – it can make things a little bit tastier. Just as kefir supports your digestive system, the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in tart cherry juice can support a healthy heart by reducing risks for heart disease and diabetes.

Feed Your Brain

Anthocyanin-rich fruits positively affect the brain, making cherries a great pathway to cognitive health. The high antioxidants in cherries help reduce inflammation in the brain, making it easier to retain information and boost memory. People who regularly consume cherries (two to three times per week) have healthier brain function and are less likely to develop dementia as they age.

Your Gut Matters

Eating habits also play a role in mental health. Research has shown that probiotic-rich foods decrease anxiety and boost cognition and mood. That makes kefir a great wellness and nutrition tool because it contains 12 live and probiotic cultures. Psychiatrist James Greenblatt explained that “‘the gut is really your second brain. There are more neurons in the GI tract than anywhere else except the brain.’” As research continues to develop, it’s becoming more and more apparent that there is a link between the gut and the brain. What was once suspected as one-way communication (the gut-brain axis connection) is now understood to be more of a two-way system. Thus, the health of our gut may directly impact the health of our minds.

Prebiotics + Probiotics = a Healthy You

Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible carbohydrates naturally found in a variety of foods. Your body actually can’t digest prebiotics, so they’re what probiotics feed off of to remain actively working in your digestive system. They help the digestive system by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics work together in balance to make sure our digestive system stays on track and regular. Research has found that consuming a variety of prebiotic and probiotic food sources may improve your body’s natural functions, including both your immune and digestive systems.