Kombucha is a huge health trend right now. It looks cool, is a fun word to say (lol), and is supposedly good for you…. but I wanted to dig deeper behind the trend and show y’all the actual benefits of kombucha!
Next time you consider spending $4 on kombucha, you’ll be more informed of the benefits of the drink.
Disclaimer- I am not a health care professional nor do I intend to provide any advice on what one should or should not consume! I am simply presenting findings for research I have done on the nutrition of kombucha.
Why Drink Kombucha?
In general, it is widely known that Kombucha aids in gut health. Gut health is incredibly important for its linkage to heart health, mental health, and overall well-being. According to WebMD, the microflora in the gut can have such a profound impact on mental health because the gut is packed with nerve endings that communicate with the brain.
Crazy, huh?
Ok so now that we know the main reason that kombucha is all the craze, let’s dig into the scientific properties of the trendy wellness drink.
Specific Health Benefits of Kombucha
- Acids
- Yeasts
- Probiotics
- Metabolism
- B Vitamins
- Cholesterol
1. Acids
There are three primary acids found in Kombucha: Lactic, Acetic, and Glucoronic.
These acids, all have an alkalinizing effect on the body, however counterintuitive that may seem. The concept is similar to drinking lemon water- although it is an acidic fruit, it has the effect of raising pH levels in the body and therefore reducing acidity!
Lactic acid
Lactic acids enhance gastrointestinal function (digestion). According to this scientific paper, “There are several potential health or nutritional benefits possible from some species of lactic acid bacteria. Among these are: improved nutritional value of food, control of intestinal infections, improved digestion of lactose, control of some types of cancer, and control of serum cholesterol levels”.
Acetic acid
Acetic acid is lauded for its ability to lower bodily inflammation as well as blood pressure and blood sugar spikes. Also, acetic acid has an anti-microbial effect.
Glucuronic Acid
Glucuronic acid is produced by the liver and binds to toxins for their removal. Although the liver already produces this, when our livers are overwhelmed with processed foods and the like, the ability to produce this glucoronic acid may be compromised.
Related–> Vegan Starter Guide
2. Yeasts
A wide variety of yeast species has been found in Kombucha, including : Saccharomyces, Saccharomycodes, Schizosaccharomyces, Zygosaccharomyces,
Brettanomyces/Dekkera, Torulospora, Koleckera, Pichia, Mycotorula, and Mycoderma.
The quantity and type of yeasts vary with each drink made based on climate, air, room temperature, water, and measurements. Very rarely, there have been traces of harmful bacteria/yeast within batches, like Candida.
3. Probiotics
According to this study, “this beverage [kombucha] is also associated with influencing the gastrointestinal microbial flora in humans by acting as a probiotic drink and helping in balancing the intestinal flora, thus facilitating the normalization of intestinal activities to a certain extent” .
Similar in effect to other cultured food like sauerkraut and kefir, kombucha provides the body with probiotics that help settle the stomach and digestive system!
4. Metabolism
The presence of either black or green tea as a central ingredient in kombucha gives the drink metabolic benefits, as those teas are known for their ability to boost the metabolism.
5. B Vitamins
Many B vitamins, like B12, a vitamin often neglected in most peoples’ diets, are present in fermented foods like Kombucha.
6. Cholesterol
Gluconic Acid, one of the three talked about in the first point, has been linked to lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. Is drinking kombucha going to cure cholesterol issues? Probably not. Could it help lower cholesterol levels on top of a healthier lifestyle? Worth trying!
Other Benefits
Drinking kombucha helps avoid lactic acid buildup in muscles, therefore preventing prolonged soreness. This makes it a popular drink amongst high level athletes!
Although there haven’t been any evidenced long term benefits, the composition of kombucha points to the fact that it is wonderful for your gut health and restoring balance to your gut flora.
It might not cure cancer, as some allege, but it certainly helps to create a less acidic environment in your body. As with anything, you don’t want to overdo it! Moderation is key.
While drinking kombucha might make me feel really good, the same might not hold true for you- and that’s OK! Do what feels right for your body!
For a comprehensive history of this carbonated drink, check out this article.
Did you learn anything new from this article? Let me know what your favorite brands and flavors of kombucha are down below!
Sources
D. Bhattacharya, D. Ghosh, S. Bhattacharya, S. Sarkar, P. Karmakar, H. Koley and R. Gachhui, Antibacterial activity of polyphenolic fraction of Kombucha against Vibrio cholerae: targeting cell membrane, Letters in Applied Microbiology, 66, 2, (145-152), (2018).
