Is kombucha good for you? Find out what are the kombucha benefits and should you drink kombucha tea every day…
What is kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented tea that became popular in China over 2000 years ago and then it slowly spreaded across the world. As fermented food is very popular because of its probiotic features, it is no wonder that this fermented drink draw so much attention. The thing with kombucha is that it is healthy and harmful at the same time. There are certainly a lot of side effects but almost the equal number of kombucha health benefits. It is up to you whether you will decide it to drink it or not and if you have some health problems, you should definitely ask your doctor first.
In my other article I will tell you all about kombucha side effects, but let’s see what is so special and attractive about this fermented tea.
What are the benefits of kombucha?
Under condition you drink kombucha properly you can benefit in many ways. Also, if you make kombucha at home, you need to know how to do it, because over-fermented kombucha can be deadly or cause serious problems. If you are not sure how to make, better buy kombucha at store, and you will be safe. So, here are the health benefits of kombucha, under condition you don’t overdose with it.
Boosts immune system– thanks to antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, enzymes, amino-acids, kombucha may improve your immune system.
Increase energy levels– because of stronger immune system and a lot of antioxidants, kombucha can give you more energy.
Detoxification– antioxidants in kombucha clear your body from toxins, decrease the load on the liver and pancreas.
Improves digestion– similar to other fermented dishes, kombucha produces good bacteria that is probiotic in nature. It regulates digestion and you may have less troubles with your stomach health.
Fights candida– this natural probiotic in kombucha is said to fight candida and other similar fungal infections.
More kombucha health benefits
May prevent cancer– some studies showed that high amounts of glucaric acid can help in cancer prevention. Kombucha has a great amount of this acid, so that’s why some scientists believe that it can prevent cancer.
Protects joints– kombucha has glucosamines which are good for production of hyaluronic acid. This acid preserves your joints and that is another kombucha benefit for your health.
May improve mental health– kombucha is rich in vitamins B, especially vitamin B12 that is known to improve overall mental wellbeing and increase energy levels. Also don’t forget that kombucha has positive effect on gut flora, and good gut health indirectly impacts the mental health. When the gut and brain communicate well, the anxiety and depression can be reduced.
Helps with diabetes– thanks to green and black tea which are the main ingredients of kombucha, the blood sugar levels can be reduced. Of course, that is only the case if you drink kombucha without a high sugar load.
Protects the lungs– you may have not heard of silicosis before, but that is a lung disease and according to some Chinese scientists, kombucha can fight this and similar lung diseases caused by inhalation of dangerous materials.
Keeps the liver healthy– kombucha is rich in antioxidants and that’s why many people believe that drinking kombucha can keep the liver healthy and clean. But have in mind that too much kombucha can have a totally opposite effect.
Good for cardiovascular system– according to this study, kombucha can improve results of good and bad cholesterol. Thanks to green tea, kombucha can prevent LDL (bad) cholesterol particles from oxidizing which helps the heart condition. This green tea study shows that individuals who drink green tea have a lower risk of getting a heart disease.
Is it OK to drink kombucha every day?
If you drink kombucha in small doses and you don’t feel any side effects, you can drink kombucha every day. It can help you with gut flora and it is full of antioxidants and vitamins. But you should also consult a doctor, especially if you have some health issues, even if you don’t feel any side effects. Regular intake of kombucha may not be harmful, but like any other drink expect for water, you should make a break after some time.
How much Kombucha should I drink in one day?
There isn’t enough information on how much kombucha is good for you and it is hard do define the right dose. It depends on your age and health condition. According to opinions from several doctors you should not drink more than 12 ounces (355 ml) per day. You can split that amount in two or three parts and drink it during the day.
If you have never drunk kombucha before, you should start slowly with even smaller amounts and then if you don’t experience any side effects you can drink up to 12 ounces daily.
Is it better to drink Kombucha on an empty stomach?
You can drink kombucha before or after the meal, it depends on your gut feeling. Some doctors recommend drinking kombucha on an empty stomach, especially if you want to lose weight, to have better digestion or to get some energy boost in the morning. That is because probiotics from kombucha can easier gets to our intestine and do its thing.
Similar to coffee, some people like to drink it before breakfast first thing in the morning. Other say that kombucha can be too harsh to drink in the morning and that is better to drink it in the midday to boost your energy. As kombucha has some amount of caffeine you shouldn’t drink it late at night for sure, unless you want to stay awake.
In the end, it’s up to you, I personally don’t feel well when I drink green tea on an empty stomach so I wouldn’t risk drinking kombucha before meal.
Can Kombucha make you drunk?
The answer is yes, especially homemade kombucha because it contains 5% of alcohol. Kombucha bought at the store has less than 1 % of alcohol. Whether you will get drunk or not, it also depends on your alcohol tolerance and how much kombucha did you drink, did you eat something before.
All health content on foodscene.net is for general information only, and you should not take it as medical advice. If you have any concerns about your health, you should contact your local healthcare provider.
