Kombucha is a fermented tea. Made using green or black tea leaves, sugar, and added culture which contains a variety of bacteria and yeasts, it is left to ferment for a week or more. The result is a tantalising carbonated beverage that promises a range of health benefits. Read through to learn about the many benefits of Kombucha.
Promising Health Benefits of Kombucha
During its making, as Kombucha goes through the fermentation process, a series of compounds are released. Each compound acts differently on the human body, conferring different health benefits, making kombucha an elixir. Some of the widely experienced benefits of drinking Kombucha are listed below:
1. Boosts Metabolism
Kombucha releases phenolic compounds as it undergoes fermentation. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a type of catechin, a phenolic compound found in green tea, has the potential to increase metabolic rates in adults. As metabolic rate is directly linked to the fat-free mass, it helps prevent weight gain.
2. Aids in Weight Management
Kombucha made from green tea leaves is a natural fat burner. Thus Kombucha tea benefits weight management by helping the body burn its stored fat more efficiently. The increased metabolic rate further spurs up the action, leading to significant weight loss.
Although Kombucha is not sugar-free, the amount of sugar present in a 240 ml serving of Kombucha is almost one-third the amount present in colas and juices. Sugar, when consumed in excess, is a leading cause of weight gain.
Furthermore, Kombucha tea is a sweet-sour, carbonated beverage. Its tangy taste and effervescence make it an excellent alternative to high-calorie sodas and packed juices which are empty calories that only result in weight gain.
3. Probiotics Improve Gut Health
Kombucha is a fermented beverage. It is made by adding SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony Of Bacteria and Yeast) which are live and active strains of various good bacteria and yeasts. The process of fermentation and the subsequent release of acetic acid and lactic acid make it an ideal probiotic.
The beverage also works by providing the gut with a range of healthy bacteria. Regular intake of Kombucha improves both the composition and number of healthy gut bacteria, thus, improving many aspects of digestion like bloating, constipation, and a range of gastrointestinal issues.
4. Helps Reduce Inflammation
Cardiac disease, arthritis, diabetes, allergies, and respiratory ailments like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), invariably every health condition shows signs of organ inflammation.
Research shows that drinking Kombucha can be a potent way to combat organ inflammation, which worsens the disease condition. Kombucha contains high levels of polyphenols. These are antioxidant compounds that help reduce inflammation in the body. It is also believed that gut-friendly foods can reduce inflammation along the digestive tract which is responsible for the onset of a range of gastrointestinal conditions.
5. May Help Prevent Cancer
The benefits of Kombucha include its anti-carcinogenic properties. Having a rich base of antioxidants, Kombucha tea helps the body get rid of free radicals and other harmful compounds that promote the growth of cancerous cells in the body, thus protecting the body from developing a range of cancers.
In addition to polyphenols, Kombucha tea contains organic acids like gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, lactic acid, and vitamin C which possess antioxidant properties. Research suggests that Kombucha tea is especially helpful in fighting prostate cancer as it inhibits angiogenesis, a condition that spurs the growth of new blood vessels to feed cancer cells, leading to reduced survival of prostate cancer cells.
6. A Potent Immunity Booster
Gut health and immune health are closely interlinked. The antibodies that spur up the immune system are created in the lining of the intestines. Thus, a majority of your immune system’s health is created in your intestines.
As Kombucha tea is a great probiotic, it helps support optimum gut health both by balancing the good and bad bacteria and also by infusing a dose of healthy bacteria into the digestive system. This in turn acts as a great immunity booster, protecting the body from a range of health conditions.
7. Boosts Cardiovascular Health
A sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating are linked to increased levels of cholesterol. Chronically high cholesterol levels are a major contributor to heart disease.
Studies conducted on rats show that regular intake of Kombucha helped improve two markers of heart disease – LDL and HDL cholesterol levels. While it led to a drop in the LDL levels, the bad cholesterol, it increased the levels of HDL, the good cholesterol in the body. Kombucha tea also protects LDL cholesterol particles from further oxidation, a condition that leads to further worsening of the disease.
8. Helps Manage Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is marked by high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Consumption of Kombucha tea inhibits the α-amylase, a protein present in the pancreas that is responsible for the digestion of carbs after meals. Lower levels of protein lead to lower postprandial glucose levels. These are the blood sugar levels recorded after meals. This helps manage the blood sugar levels in the body.
Health experts feel that adding kombucha tea to an active lifestyle, good eating habits, and a medication regimen can help control type 2 diabetes effectively.
9. Promotes Liver Health
The presence of free radicals in the body affects liver health. Kombucha tea benefits the liver through its potential ability to detoxify the body and get rid of free radicals. Studies conducted on rats show that the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the livers reduced after regular intake of Kombucha tea. Thiobarbituric acid is an organic compound that indicates cell and tissue damage.
10. A Potent Vitamin and Mineral Supplement
The nutritional composition of Kombucha is one of the biggest benefits of kombucha. As the yeast breaks down the sugars during the fermentation process, a range of vitamins and minerals are released. Kombucha tea has good amounts of B vitamins, namely B1, B2, B6, and B12. Interestingly, 240 ml of Kombucha contains higher amounts of Vitamin B1 than milk. It also contains 1.8 mg of Vitamin C per serving. Minerals like Copper, Iron, Manganese, and Zinc are also present in Kombucha tea.
Every eight ounces (240 ml) of unflavored kombucha contains approximately 30 calories, up to 3 gm of sugar, 8gm of carbohydrates with 0 gm proteins and 0 gm of fat.
11. A Potent Antibiotic
Kombucha tea possesses good antibacterial properties. Acetic acid is one of the main substances that is produced during the fermentation of kombucha. It is known to possess strong antibacterial properties that safeguard the body from potentially harmful microorganisms, especially infection-causing bacteria and Candida yeasts. Interestingly, while Kombucha tea is packed with a variety of bacteria, it thwarts the growth of bad bacteria and only delivers good bacteria to the human gut.
12. Helps Relieve Depression Symptoms
Depression is characterised by a general feeling of sadness and hopelessness. Its symptoms may include insomnia, mood swings, poor concentration, and low energy levels. But regular intake of Kombucha tea can prove to be a potent health drink to ward off depression.
Research suggests that Kombucha tea can help boost the production of serotonin, the body’s feel-good hormone. Increased levels of serotonin act as an immediate mood-lifter.
Also, research suggests that many psychiatric disorders are fueled by poor gut health. Therefore the role of Kombucha tea in uplifting gut health, thereby reducing the risk of mental ailments is paramount.
13. Improves Hair and Skin Health
Kombucha tea is good for the gut. This transpires into improved overall health with benefits seen across hair and skin too. Also, with good amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it helps provide the nourishment required for healthy hair and skin. Kombucha tea contains small amounts of caffeine which stimulates hair growth, thus making it a promising treatment for hair loss. The caffeine content also plays a crucial role in managing inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis and dermatitis.
Conclusion
Kombucha has a deep-drawn history that dates back nearly 2000 years. And the widespread benefits of kombucha have helped the beverage garner great appreciation throughout.
Prepared through the process of fermentation, it is revered as the ideal probiotic to improve gut health. But apart from the probiotic capabilities, the compounds released during the fermentation process make the beverage a highly promising health booster.
It is Loaded with antioxidants, an excellent source of Vitamin C and B-complex vitamins, including thiamin and niacin, and a range of minerals. It is a potential antibiotic and its caffeine content helps stimulate hair growth and combat inflammatory skin diseases.
Kombucha tea benefits multiply manifold when prepared in green tea. You can prepare it at home or simply grab a bottle from the nearest supermarket. Enjoy your Kombucha tea cold and iced.
