What Is Kombucha Good for?
With the growing number of people being concerned about their health and nutrition, the demand for fermented foods has soared.
Not only do fermented foods preserve the food and its natural nutrients, but they also provide a wide range of probiotics that are extremely beneficial for the gut. One of this much-liked fermented food and drinks is kombucha.
What Is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a mild, low-sugar fizzy drink. It is a traditional fermented beverage made primarily out of green tea and sugar.
It also has an added bacterial symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). These bacteria break down the sugar to produce a variety of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes making kombucha a nutrient-rich beverage.
Is Kombucha Good for You?
Kombucha is a popular choice of drink among health-conscious consumers. It has become a great alternative to other fizzy drinks such as sodas that are packed with huge amounts of sugars and artificial sweeteners, both of which are not good for the body.
Kombucha, on the other hand, contains beneficial substances such as:
- Kombucha satisfies the need for a fizzy drink without being too sweet. Instead, it supplies the body with probiotic bacteria that improves digestion and is essential for smooth gut flow.
- This health tonic also contains antioxidants, which are necessary for overcoming the impact of free radicals in the body.
- Kombucha also provides vitamins and minerals to the body such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, B6 and 12.
How Often Should You Drink Kombucha?
You can drink kombucha daily; however, it’s important that you don’t consume too much. Start out by consuming smaller amounts before gradually increasing your intake.
It is recommended that you take about 16 to 18 ounces of the drink daily. Make sure that you do not exceed the 32-ounce limit per day as it can lead to undesired effects.
Does Kombucha Have Health Benefits?
The nutrients kombucha contains can support the body and help it to function optimally. Although there is no concrete evidence about significant benefits of kombucha, the drink does help in the following ways:
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Helps Fight Against Diseases
Kombucha contains a high amount of antioxidants that not only detoxify the body but also protect it against diseases, thereby promoting immunity.
We are exposed to processed foods and chemicals every day. These substances can build up stress in the body that can lead to cell damage.
Antioxidants work deep within the cell, at the DNA level, and are able to remove harmful free radicals.
A Low-Calorie Drink
Kombucha makes a perfect replacement for fizzy drinks. People who are soda addicts, but wish to give this habit up for a healthier lifestyle, can easily use kombucha as a replacement.
It provides the fizziness that they need due to being naturally carbonated while being healthy at the same time. About 90 percent of the sugar added is broken down by the bacteria by the time the drink is ready to be consumed.
Kombucha, therefore, provides a low-sugar yet tangy and tasty option while being extremely helpful for weight loss and diet routines.
Promotes a Healthy Gut
Kombucha supplies the body with a wide range of probiotics, enzymes and other nutrients that support digestion.
The bacteria provided through this drink helps replace all the pathogens, e., disease-causing organisms with good bacteria. This good bacteria fight against the pathogens and repopulates the gut lining with its culture.
However, it is important to understand that kombucha is not a reliable or effective treatment for serious gut problems. For this, you will have to seek medical help.
Improved Mood
Kombucha provides a lot of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin B helps to enhance mood, while vitamin B12 helps to increase energy level and promotes the feeling of well being in an individual.
What are the Side Effects of Drinking Kombucha?
Although healthy, kombucha still carries a few side effects. Some of them are mentioned below:
- It may not be suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding females. Kombucha contains caffeine and alcohol, both of which need to be in limited during pregnancy.
- It may lead to dental issues due to the raised levels of acids in the drink. You can minimize this risk by rinsing your mouth out with water after consuming the drink.
- It is said to cause a bloated feeling or mild nausea in certain individuals. It is recommended that people with digestive disorders should only use kombucha by a doctor’s consultation.
- Preparing kombucha at home is not always safe. Improper brewing may leave some harmful bacteria in the drink, which can lead to illness after consumption.
Is Too Much Kombucha Bad for You?
Too much of anything is said to be harmful. Similarly, kombucha should also be consumed in moderation.
Drinking too much of this drink is said to lead to lactic acidosis. A condition where there is a build-up of lactic acid in the bloodstream that can prove to be fatal. The recommended amount is about 50 kombucha calories per day.
Kombucha also contains caffeine, therefore having the drink throughout the day can cause the same effects of drinking too much coffee such as high blood pressure, tremors, trouble sleeping, etc.
People with compromised immune systems should limit their kombucha consumption. Although probiotics are beneficial, too much of them in a weakened immune system can cause serious infections.
The Bottom Line
Kombucha is a healthy alternative to sugar-filled fizzy drinks such as soda. Consumption of kombucha, in moderation, may also provide a variety of health benefits.
