There are over 3,000 varieties of tea, each with its unique characteristics. Out of all those varieties, I’d like to concentrate on one that has received much attention: Kombucha.
Kombucha, an ancient and slightly sweetened, slightly acidic beverage first made in East Asia around 2000 years ago, is now enjoyed worldwide. It can be made from either green or black tea or fermented using a type of tea fungus (bacteria, yeast). So, what kombucha is best for gut health?
It is a non-alcoholic beverage that contains vitamins, acids, and other nutrients that have health benefits such as cardiovascular health. Kombucha is a popular beverage because of its health benefits, such as heart disease prevention, liver function, immunity, digestion, and other benefits.
The kombucha market now has a wide range of brands available for gut health. However, that leaves consumers wondering: Which one is best? OR, in other words: Which one is right for you?
Kombucha’s Nutritional Profile
An average 100ml portion provides:
- 16kcals/67KJ
- 0.0g protein
- 3.0g carbohydrate
- 3.0g sugar
The nutritional contributions of products will differ from one product to the next.
I’ve compiled some information on kombucha and its health to help you find the best kombucha brand for your gut health. I hope you choose one of these brands to be the best for your gut health.
First, you need to understand why kombucha is good for you.
What Makes Kombucha Good for Gut Health?
Here are some known benefits of kombucha.
A potential source of probiotics
There’s a sure way tea made, and the top kombucha brands use that method with a twist. Kombucha is a type of black or green tea made with yeast and certain strains of bacteria. The tea is then fermented for around a week.
You’ll end up with a blob full of living symbiotic bacteria colonies, also known as SCOBY. This kombucha SCOBY is able to continue fermenting other kombuchas.
This allows the kombucha probiotics during fermentation to build up and sit in your stomach after it is drunk. Although we may think that bacteria are harmful, most bacteria in the world are good for us.
This is an excellent example of how the bacteria in kombucha can be found in your guts, which can help with digestion, inflammation, weight loss, and even weight gain.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that fight reactive molecules and radicals that can damage your cells. Many antioxidants can be found in fresh foods, but they are also present in kombucha.
These antioxidants are evident in all kombucha recipes that contain green tea. Although the research in this area has been limited to rats, it is promising that these effects may apply to humans.
Heart Disease Risk Reduced
Studies have also examined the effects of kombucha on the heart. Although these studies were limited to rats, they have shown some promise. One study showed a 30-day increase in LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. These cholesterol levels are indicators of heart disease.
What is the Best Time to Drink Kombucha?
An empty stomach is the best time to consume kombucha for its health benefits in the morning. You might be wondering why? You don’t eat anything, so the probiotics have a greater chance of reaching your significant intentions. To make their gut magic! It will work well with a meal if your stomach is sensitive. It is a carbonated beverage that keeps you full. This can be part of your weight-loss journey.
These are the functions of live bacterial cultures:
- Assimilation
- Many nutrients should be consumed.
- Synthesizing essential nutrients
- Without bacteria, human beings cannot reproduce.
- Produce glycogen is support for lactic acid bacteria, which makes our bodies acidic to allow us to reproduce.
- Bacteria in the gut can cause serotonin to be released, which is our happy hormone. Neurochemicals are also released by bacteria which can help with gut-brain chemistry.
Kombucha and any fermented beverage have many health benefits that can be beneficial to the body. For example, it can nutritionally transform food or drinks in many ways. It improves Pre-digestion. While food ferments, compound-dense foods are pre-digested into elemental forms by fermentation organisms for easy assimilation.
It helps remove toxins from the food that may not be obvious to the naked eye and convert them into benign elements of food safe for eating or drinking. Fermentation can increase vitamin and mineral bioavailability in the body for different vital functions. Kombucha is suitable for the gut because many factors continually assault or threaten our gut bacteria balance.
- Antibiotics and antacids of NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Consumption of chlorinated water
- Antibacterial options are used to wash hands and food. This destroys all bacteria, good or not, leading to hormonal imbalances and gut problems.
It is crucial to regularly replenish the bacteria in our stomachs and help improve our gut bacteria. Regular bowel movements and fermented beverages can help those with chronic digestive issues such as constipation, acid reflux or low stomach acid, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), or inflammatory bowel disease. It is also beneficial for other hormonal, mood, and other imbalances.
Kombucha, a fermented sweetened tea, is not to be consumed without consulting a doctor.
Kombucha can be purchased in stores or made at home.
How is Kombucha Prepared?
Kombucha is made in a series of steps that takes seven to ten working days
- First, brew the tea. You can use any tea you like, such as green tea or black.
- The second step is adding SCOBY to your brewed tea. SCOBY, a symbiotic combination of yeast and bacteria, is used to produce and sell kombucha. It is covered and left to sit for a while.
- Fermentation is the third step, making the product a probiotic. The fermentation process takes between six and seven days to complete.
The SCOBY must be removed after the kombucha has been brewed and fermented.
Read More:
Is Kombucha Good for Gut Health? Best Science-Based Facts 2022
Kombucha is Suitable for Your Gut
This tea has many benefits. This tea is delicious and has many gut health benefits. This tea is highly recommended for those who have their gut tested using Ombre. This tea contains probiotics, which can rebuild your gut flora. They also help you get rid of harmful bacteria. We will now discuss the many benefits of kombucha for a healthy gut diet.
Although some health food trends come and go, the kombucha craze seems to be here to stay. It’s not hard to see why. The bubbly fermented beverage is good for you and tastes great.
Kombucha’s success has led to an interest in other fermented foods. Over the past couple of years, yogurt, miso, and sauerkraut have increased in popularity. Family Nurse Practitioner Bianca Braxton, Secondary Care – Noble, says that fermented foods can be an excellent addition to any diet.
Ancient Remedy
Fermentation has been used for thousands of years and is a way to preserve food and prolong its life. Kombucha, as well as other fermented foods, is rich in antioxidants and probiotics (or live bacteria) that improve intestinal health and immune function and aid food digestion.
They make your body more efficient. This helps to reduce inflammation and prevent common digestive problems like constipation and diarrhea.
According to Harvard Medical School, studies have suggested that probiotics reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 60% compared to a placebo. Researchers found that probiotics reduced “gut transit time” from 12.4 hours to 1.3 and increased the number of weekly stool movements by 1.3. They also softened stool, making it easier to pass.
There are other steps to improve your gut health.
However, you must do more than add fermented foods to improve your gut health.
Braxton stated that kombucha should not be used as a replacement for a healthy diet. You also need high-fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts. All of this combined creates a healthy environment for probiotics to thrive.
Kombucha has many health benefits but is not for everyone. It is not recommended for pregnant women or children as it contains trace amounts of alcohol.
Symbiotic Drink
First, unpasteurized kombucha can provide a rich source for acetic acid, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts with potential probiotic potential. The beverage also contains bacteria cellulose, which may help to stimulate probiotics in your gut. Its direct effect on the microbiome’s composition has been limited to in-vivo research.
Antimicrobial Properties
The second benefit of kombucha tea is its low pH (acidic). This gives it antimicrobial and antifungal and prevents the growth of bacteria that causes disease. These bacteria include Staphylococcus Aureus, Agrobacterium Tumefaciens, E.coli, and Helicobacter Pylori. This natural super-drink could potentially have therapeutic benefits.
The Dangers of Homemade Kombucha
Kombucha that has been fermented too long can lead to serious health problems. Please don’t risk it. Braxton advised that you buy it in the shop.
Some fermented foods can be challenging to find in the grocery store. Pasteurization is used to produce many prepackaged foods. It kills bacteria with high heat. Make sure to read the label. You will see the term “live cultures” on the label. This indicates that the bacteria are active and still alive. Braxton loves kombucha because it is readily available.
It’s simple to obtain. It doesn’t take long to find it in a health food shop. Braxton stated that it can be purchased at any grocery store or gas station and comes in many flavors.
Sugar Content of Kombucha
Kombucha comes in wide varieties, flavors, and brands. However, some kombuchas contain high levels of sugar. Braxton suggests that you read the label before buying the delicious beverage. You can’t eliminate sugar, but you should look for sugar content below 4 grams per bottle.
FAQs about Kombucha and Gut Health
How do I store kombucha at home?
There are three options for storing kombucha.
- It can be drunk immediately, or you can put it in the refrigerator. This will reduce the fizz, but it will not affect the taste.
- Place the kombucha in a container and allow it to sit for two days.
- Or you can turn your kombucha into a soda.
Can I drink the stuff floating around in the bottle?
Yes, in short. Kombucha can be described as a living tea because it contains bacteria. The Kombucha Scoby is floating at the top, which is a good indicator they exist. This is a sign that the brew has good health.
Is Kombucha a Drunken Drink?
When making kombucha, it is customary to include alcohol. Many of the ingredients for commercial kombucha have alcohol. However, it is possible, but you will need to consume a lot of kombuchas and be tolerant of alcohol.
Scientific Studies and References
Read More:
Are Pistachios Good for Gut Health? Amazing Truth Revealed 2022
Best Probiotic for Vaginal and Gut Health: The Best Guide 2022
Best Magnesium for Gut Health: 13 Types of Magnesium Discussed Here!
Best Bread for Gut Health: 7 Healthiest Breads for Digestion
Best Cheese for Gut Health: 11 Healthiest Cheeses for Gut Health
