What Is Birch Water And Is It Good For You?
If you associate birch water with the birch tree, then you're on the right track. According to ÖselBirch, this beverage essentially consists of the sap produced by the tree trunk or branch. The concept of birch water might sound new to your ears, but it's actually a centuries-old drink that people have enjoyed in various parts of the world, including China, Scandinavia, Canada, and Russia. It is a clear liquid that tastes slightly sweet and can be consumed directly after harvest or once it has been allowed to ferment.
Interestingly, birch water can only be harvested during a specific period of the year from birch trees, explains The Guardian. Once winter comes to an end, it is possible to tap the birch trees to gain access to the delicious sap within. After the maximum amount of sap has been drained over the course of two weeks, it's necessary to wait until the next season for another harvest. Additionally, despite a growing interest in the sweet drink, birch water brand Sibberi's co-founder, Clara Vaisse, says that it can be difficult to meet this demand. "There is no existing birch water industry per se, and thus no big supplier with existing procedures ...," she says, adding, "Birch water supply therefore has to come from multiple, local, small-scale harvests."
But why is birch water becoming more well-known around the world? The answer might lie within its nutritional makeup.
Birch water has a number of health benefits
Healthline explains that one of the reasons for birch water's popularity is that it is rich in health-boosting nutrients while minimizing calories and sugar. In a 10.2-ounce serving, it contains just nine calories and three grams of sugar, making it a more diet-friendly choice compared to other natural beverages. Additionally, this same quantity provides 130% of the daily recommended value of manganese while providing 95% of magnesium. It also contains other important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. You may also be pleased to learn that birch water is a great source of polyphenol antioxidants, which work to protect cells from harmful free radicals.
Birch water can also provide benefits to the body without being directly ingested. Latvian cosmetic brand Madara uses the liquid in their anti-aging skincare line. Founder Lotte Tisenkopfa-Iltnere spoke with Naturismo about the benefits of birch water when it comes to skincare. "After 3-years of long research, we were amazed by the discovery that birch water has strong antioxidant activity on skin cells, reducing environmental damage and reversing damage done to the skin cell's DNA," she explained, adding, "Birch water literally makes skin cells younger by speeding up dermal cell regeneration, and reducing the ageing markers." Certain qualities of birch water, such as its vitamin C content may contribute to this phenomenon. In fact, in one 2017 study, researchers found vitamin C to be essential in maintaining the skin's strength and elasticity.