Kombucha is a fermented tea that is sweet and fizzy. Many people drink it as a health drink, but does it have any real health benefits? According to Joe Leech of Healthline, Kombucha tea has been consumed for thousands of years. Kombucha also contains probiotics or friendly bacteria. These microorganisms are known to improve person's health, according to Jamie Smith of Medical News Today. As a result, there is some evidence that Kombucha has different health benefits, including gut health, mental health, infection risk, and liver health. However, more research is needed to confirm these benefits.
Kombucha is produced mainly from bacteria, yeast, sugar, and tea, according to Jamie Smith, it is also thought to originate in China or Japan. It is typically yellow-orange in color and has a slightly sour flavor. To make Kombucha, sweetened green or black tea is fermented with a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). The yeast in the SCOBY breaks down the sugar in the tea and releases friendly probiotic bacteria during the fermentation process. After fermentation, Kombucha becomes carbonated, that is why the drink is fizzy. People have begun to use Kombucha as a healthy alternative to traditional refreshments and sodas in recent years. According to some studies, probiotic bacteria, such as those found in Kombucha, have a variety of health benefits.
According to some research, Kombucha, like other fermented foods, is high in probiotics. Probiotic bacteria are similar to friendly bacteria found in the gut. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, there is some evidence that probiotics may help with antibiotic-related diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. When Kombucha ferments, it produces acetic acid, a type of acid that is also found in vinegar. According to 2014 research, acetic acid has antimicrobial properties. Other research suggests that Kombucha is an antimicrobial, which means it may be able to kill microbes and aid in the fight against bacteria. According to Joe Leech, because Kombucha is made from green tea, it may provide many of the same health benefits as green tea, such as weight loss and to control blood sugar level.
Free radicals, which are reactive molecules that can harm your cells, are combated by antioxidants. Kombucha, especially when made with green tea, appears to have antioxidant properties in the liver. Although no human studies have been conducted on this topic, it appears to be a promising area for future research. Kombucha is also high in tea polyphenols and acetic acid, both of which have been shown to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and yeasts.
Kombucha is available in stores or can be made at home. However, make it sure that it is properly prepared or manufactured. Contaminated or over-fermented Kombucha can lead to serious health issues, including death. Homemade Kombucha can have up to 3% alcohol content. Buying Kombucha in a store or online is the safer option. Commercial products are tasty and alcohol-free because they contain less than 0.5 percent alcohol. However, check the ingredients and avoid brands with lot of added sugar. Many people believe that Kombucha can help to treat chronic health issues. However, there were few studies on the effects of Kombucha and the evidence for its health benefits is limited. In contrast, there is plenty of evidence to support the health benefits of tea and probiotics, both of which are found in Kombucha.
PNFP Marie-Claire A. Gaas, RND
References:
1. 8 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Kombucha Tea
Written by Joe Leech, MS on August 29, 2018
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-benefits-of-kombucha-tea
2. What are the health benefits of kombucha?
Medically reviewed by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD, Nutrition — Written by Jamie Smith — Updated on September 29, 2020
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319630
3. Probiotics: What You Need to Know
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/probiotics-what-you-need-to-know
4. Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of the Beverage Obtained by Fermentation of Sweetened Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) Tea with Symbiotic Consortium of Bacteria and Yeasts
