The fermented tea beverage called kombucha has become wildly popular these days. Chances are that you have heard at least one supposed benefit of kombucha by someone who has been advocating this cool new beverage. If you do not know much about it, you probably have a lot of questions about it and whether it is actually helpful. Let’s see some health benefits of kombucha.
To define it simply, kombucha is a fermented drink made by adding bacteria and yeast to a mixture of black or green tea and sugar. The ingredients used to make kombucha may make it sound like a sketchy beverage. However, it is an incredibly rich source of probiotics, which are bacteria useful in helping our body.
A lot of research needs to be done to clearly identify all the benefits of kombucha. In this post, we are going to discuss some of the most well-known benefits of the beverage.
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The Potential Health Benefits of Kombucha
Here are some of the most well-known health benefits of kombucha that you should know. Understanding the potential benefits of kombucha can help you make a more well-informed decision about whether you want to get some for yourself.
1. It may help boost metabolism
For people who are looking to drop a little extra weight, anything that can boost your metabolism would be a good choice. Unlike what some people may believe, kombucha is not a miracle weight loss drink. Of course, it can help you on the way, thanks to the epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCC) found in the green tea used in some types of kombucha.
EGCC is a compound found in green tea with the potential to boost metabolic rates in adults. There is research to support EGCC and its ability to boost metabolism, but the existing studies are still small.
2. It may assist you if you feel constipated
As a source rich in probiotics, one of the health benefits of kombucha that makes it so popular is its ability to help you regain a good balance of bacteria in the gut. Our stomach has a thriving ecosystem of good bacteria that plays an important role in regulating our gut health and relieving gastrointestinal issues.
A study published in 2014 observed the microbial elements within kombucha and identified a significant presence of lactobacillus. Lactobacillus is a common probiotic that is known for its ability to stabilize the digestive tract and help prevent inflammation and infections. It means that drinking kombucha has the potential to improve problems like inflammatory bowel diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, and even constipation.
3. It may reduce inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a symptom of multiple ailments, including diabetes, arthritis, allergies, respiratory illnesses, heart diseases, and much more. One of kombucha’s purported health benefits is its ability to reduce inflammation. While the medical community has yet to declare the beverage as an effective choice for treating chronic diseases, it can complement your medication regimen, healthy diet, and lifestyle choices to help you combat chronic inflammation.
The teas used to make kombucha contain polyphenols. These are antioxidants that can reduce inflammation in the body. There is also a growing understanding that eating gut-friendly foods can help reduce the inflammation in your intestinal tract. Kombucha is one of the most gut-friendly items you can add to your diet due to its rich probiotic content.
Inflammation is also the root cause of several gastrointestinal issues like inflammatory bowel disease. Research shows that low-grade inflammation can contribute to irritable bowel syndrome as well. The inflammation can happen when the balance of good bacteria and bad bacteria in the stomach is off. Adding probiotics through kombucha can restore balance and improve your gut health.
4. It can help strengthen the immune system
A healthy gut brought on by drinking kombucha can also provide a boost to your immune system. It is important to remember that the digestive system has a close link to your immune system. The intestinal lining creates antibodies that protect the body. A significant portion of the immune system is found within the gut.
Optimal gut health is effectively a key to maintaining a strong immune system. Kombucha can provide a boost to the immune system by using antioxidants and probiotics to improve gut health.
5. It may reduce the risk of heart disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Studies show that administering kombucha can make a significant improvement in “bad” LDL and “good” HDL cholesterols, two critical markers of cardiovascular disease. The effects can take place within as little as a month.
Additionally, the tea in kombucha is known to protect the good LDL cholesterol particles from oxidation. Tea drinkers have a significantly lower chance of developing heart disease. Since tea is one of the main ingredients used to make kombucha, it can be safe to consider that the benefit of tea for cardiovascular health also extends to kombucha.
6. It may help manage Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The most telling characteristics of this health condition are high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance in the body. A study involving diabetic rats found that kombucha can slow down the rate at which carbs break down during the digestive process. The result is lower sugar levels and improved liver and kidney function.
Kombucha made using green tea can be even more beneficial due to the benefits green tea possesses in terms of reducing blood sugar levels. A study involving over 300,000 individuals found that the people who drink green tea have an 18% lower risk of becoming diabetic. While further human studies need to be conducted to determine the effectiveness of kombucha for controlling blood sugar levels, there is enough evidence regarding the benefits of green tea for this purpose. It is an ingredient used to make kombucha.
Final Thoughts
Many people believe that kombucha helps treat all sorts of chronic health issues. However, there still needs to be a lot more research done on the beverage to conclusively outline all the health benefits of kombucha.
You might feel inclined to try to make homemade kombucha to enjoy the health benefits it offers. You need to ensure that you prepare it properly to maximize its benefits. Alternatively, you can work with experienced beverage manufacturing companies that have ample knowledge, skills, and expertise to prepare the beverage properly and at a larger scale.
While kombucha is becoming incredibly popular these days, it may not be for everyone. Talk to your doctor to make sure that drinking kombucha is safe for you if you have existing medical conditions, are pregnant, or take medication.
I am an Ambitious girl with a special interest in writing and sharing my knowledge. I love to hangout with nature and learn from it. My words will display the power of nature to the best as I love to write about the environment.
