Kombucha: the fizzy, sour, slightly sweet drink that polarizes those who swear by its health benefits and deliciousness, and those who think it’s all hype and tastes like straight vinegar.
Well, I fit more in the first camp. I think it’s delicious and I feel great when I drink it!
Feature image: Lemon, Mint, Ginger, and Lavender Homemade Kombucha by sk, CC-by-nd-2.0
What the heck is kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented tea which was supposedly first made some 2,000 years ago in China and known as the “Immortal Health Elixir.” It’s now made its way to the Western world as a trendy health drink, mostly known for the probiotics it contains which benefit digestion.
Starting out as a black or green tea and sugar mixture, a SCOBY is added, which is a “symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast” that looks like a squishy mushroom as pictured above.
The SCOBY feeds on the sugar and ferments the tea, carbonating it and leaving behind vinegar, B-vitamins, enzymes, many kinds of beneficial acids (like amino acids), and several strains of probiotics.
Health Benefits of Kombucha
Digestive Health
There are all kinds of claims out there about how kombucha can heal your body, but unfortunately there isn’t tons of scientific evidence to cite.
The one definite benefit of kombucha is that it contains probiotics (bacteria that aid in digestion which are also found in yogurt, sauerkraut, and other fermented foods), enzymes, and healthy acids that are amazing for our digestion and aiding gut health.
Detoxing and Energizing
Kombucha also aids in detoxing the body as the acids bond with toxins in the liver and digestive tract to remove them. It is also energizing and contains a small amount of caffeine.
I’ve also seen claims that credit kombucha with all of the following effects:
- Healthy immune system
- Cancer prevention
- Weight loss through improved metabolism
- Alkalizing and balancing internal pH
- Better flexibility in movement
- Relieving headaches and migraines
- Disease prevention
Even if only one or two of those supposed benefits are true, kombucha is worth a try! You can even learn to brew it at home very inexpensively if you love it! You can also read my guide to choosing the best kombucha to learn what’s most important in choosing which kind to buy.
You can also learn how to make kombucha at home! It’s simple and a whole lot cheaper than buying it in the store.
A few more things to know that I’ve read various places:
- If you are pregnant or nursing it may not be the time for you to try kombucha.
- It contains small amounts of caffeine and sugar (though the SCOBY eats most of it), and a trace amount of alcohol.
- If you haven’t had it before, it’s best to start by drinking a small amount and increase gradually. Your digestive system may need to adjust to the probiotic strains it contains, so having too much at once could cause upset stomach.
- There are many flavors of kombucha, some being sweeter than others. You should give a couple of flavors a try if you’re uncertain whether you like it. Lemon, ginger, berry, cranberry, and pomegranate are all common flavors found bottled in grocery stores. They’re usually around $3-4 per bottle.
Now go give it a try! Let us know in the comments what you think.
*Disclaimer: Keep in mind that I am not a health care professional. Please consult a professional health care provider before making changes to your lifestyle or if you have any concerns about your health.
