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You can find kombucha anywhere now, right? Grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, it’s everywhere! It’s fizzy, sweet, and refreshing, making it a drink of choice for many health-conscious people. So what sets this beverage apart from a sugary juice or soda? Let’s dive into the amazing health benefits of kombucha and answer the question, “Is Kombucha healthy?”
1. High in Probiotics
Kombucha is made by adding a culture of bacteria and yeast to sweetened black or green tea, which ferments to create the delicious fizzy drink we love. The kombucha culture called a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria of Bacteria and Yeast), is packed with probiotics and thus makes kombucha a natural source of these healthy microorganisms.
Probiotics are healthy bacteria that can do wonders for your gut. Other fermented foods are also naturally rich in probiotics, like sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, miso, and pickles.
2. Contains powerful antioxidants
Kombucha contains powerful antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation, detoxify the body and protect against certain diseases. Inflammation in the body is thought to be the root of many diseases, so reducing inflammation is thought to be beneficial to health.
Antioxidants reduce oxidative stress that can damage cells. Incorporating fermented foods like kombucha into the diet, as well as avoiding processed foods, may help to reduce inflammation in the body and promote better overall health.
Kombucha may influence the activity of two important antioxidants known as glutathione peroxidase and catalase. It was also discovered to contain isorhamnetin, a metabolite of quercetin. Quercetin is anecdotally associated with a long lifespan and anticancer properties.
3. Protects Your Mind
Did you ever think a drink could help your body as well as your mind? Kombucha contains B vitamins, particularly B12. B12 increase energy levels and help with our overall mental health. As a matter of fact, kombucha contains even more B12 than milk.
4. Improves Digestion
Kombucha is fermented with a live colony of bacteria and yeast, so its probiotic content helps sustain gut health and may provide symptom relief from abdominal discomforts including chronic constipation and diarrhea. The digestive enzymes present in it enhance the effects of glucuronic acid and aid in the breakdown of proteins and saccharides, making the digestive system more efficient. So the next time you’re feeling like you’re suffering from digestive issues, try kombucha!
5. Keep Your Heart Healthy
Probiotics may help lower your LDL “bad” cholesterol and blood pressure. Certain lactic acid-producing bacteria may reduce cholesterol by breaking down bile in the gut. Bile aids in digestion and is a naturally occurring fluid mostly made of cholesterol. By breaking down the bile, probiotics can prevent it from being reabsorbed in the gut, where it can enter the blood as cholesterol. Consuming probiotics may also lower blood pressure. Now, this doesn’t mean that drinking several Kombucha on a daily basis is a good idea, but it’s nice knowing that you can feel good about what it’s doing for your heart when you enjoy it.
I’ve tried many kombucha brands, but nothing has compared to Health-Ade. Health-Ade offers small batch organic and raw kombucha (fermented in glass, not plastic or metal) and is flavored only with the best ingredients, like cold-pressed juice from organic produce. I also love that the sugar content is very low compared to other brands on the market and they don’t add any sugar post fermentation. My favorite flavors are Pink Lady Apple, Pomegranate, and their newest addition to the family, Jalapeno-Kiwi Cucumber.
