Imagine a drink that’s been hanging around for a whopping **2,000 years**, dubbed the “tea of immortality.” This wonder beverage started its journey in China, danced its way through Russia and Japan, and by the time the 20th century rolled in, it became a hit in Europe and finally strutted its stuff in the United States. People rave about how it zaps tiredness away and acts like a shield for your health. Nowadays, everyone’s buzzing about how kombucha might just be the secret potion for shedding those extra pounds. You’re about to dive into the magical world of kombucha and see if it really holds the key to slimming down. So, why stay curious? Let’s spill the tea on what makes kombucha a must-sip for wellness warriors!
Kombucha is a sparkling sweet-and-sour drink that is made of sugar, yeast, and fermented tea.
It boasts various health benefits from hair loss to AIDS and cancer. Usually, the mixture is set aside for a week or so to allow fermentation. Drinking kombucha has become a popular option around the world.
During that time, acids, bacteria, and alcohol are formed in the drink. The process is usually similar to how milk is converted into yogurt or how cabbage is made as kimchi or sauerkraut (1).
The tea used is either sweetened black or green tea. The tea is usually fermented with SCOBY. SCOBY or symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, as the name suggests, is a mixture of bacteria and yeast.
The yeast is broken down into sugar, which is responsible for releasing probiotic bacteria. Kombucha is known to be sparkling or fizzy because it becomes carbonated after the fermentation process (2).
As already mentioned, kombucha is made of tea, yeast, and sugar. The fermentation process takes about a week or more. Although a little alcohol is produced during fermentation, it is considered a non-alcoholic beverage (3).
Also, during the fermentation process, a mushroom-like film composed of bacteria and yeast is apparently formed in the liquid. This is also the reason why kombucha is also called mushroom tea.
Aside from that, acetic acid, which is also found in vinegar and other acidic compounds, is also produced.
Not just that, trace levels of gases and alcohol are formed too, which make it carbonated. That is why kombucha is described as sparkling or fizzy (4).
Kombucha is known for its probiotic benefits because it contains various species of lactic-acid bacteria which provide a probiotic function (5). Kombucha contains a huge amount of bacteria that grow in the mixture.
These bacteria are healthy for your gut. It can help in improving several aspects of your health, including inflammation, digestion, and even weight loss.
One of the healthiest beverages on earth is green tea.
This is because it contains many bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, that serve as a powerful antioxidant in your body (6). Kombucha consisting of green tea has similar plant compounds that provide various health benefits.
Many studies show that if you drink green tea regularly, you have a higher chance of burning many calories, reducing belly fats, controlling blood sugar, and improving cholesterol levels (7).
Aside from that, it was shown that drinking green tea can reduce your risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancers (8).
Kombucha is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that combat free radicals responsible for damaging your cells (9). Although antioxidants can be taken from supplements, it was found out that antioxidants that are naturally formed in foods and beverages are good for your health.
Kombucha made of green tea has antioxidant benefits on your liver. In fact, a study has shown that drinking kombucha regularly can reduce your risk of liver toxicity by at least 70 percent, mainly caused by toxic chemicals (10).
As already mentioned, acetic acid is also produced during the fermentation process. Acetic acid is also found in vinegar, which is known to kill bacteria. Aside from that, kombucha contains polyphenols which are also capable of killing various harmful microorganisms (11).
Kombucha containing strong antibacterial properties are those made from green or black tea.
Kombucha can fight bacteria that cause infection as well as Candida yeasts (12). We already know that yeast can prevent infections. So if you want to prevent your risk of infection, you can always drink kombucha.
You may wonder whether the bacteria and yeasts produced during the fermentation process are also removed due to the antibacterial properties of kombucha. The truth of the matter is that these antimicrobial properties only suppress the development of unfavorable bacteria and yeast. It means that it does not affect the beneficial bacteria and yeast of kombucha.
One of the leading causes of death throughout the world is heart disease. A study has shown that kombucha helps in improving two markers of heart problems- bad cholesterol and good cholesterol (13).
Aside from that, kombucha, especially one which contains green tea, is capable of protecting you from bad cholesterol. And this is known to contribute to various heart diseases. In fact, it was shown that there is a 31 percent lower risk of various heart diseases when you drink kombucha regularly (14).
Do you know that more than 300 million people all throughout the world have type 2 diabetes?
The two primary factors that relate to type 2 diabetes include high sugar levels and insulin resistance. A study has shown that kombucha allows the digestive process to slow down, which aids in reducing the level of your blood sugar. Aside from that, kombucha aids in improving the function of your kidney and liver (15).
It is shown that kombucha made from green tea is even more favorable to people with type 2 diabetes. Green tea has the potential to reduce blood sugar levels. In fact, it was shown that people who drink green tea have 18 percent lower risk of having type 2 diabetes (16).
One of the leading causes of death in the world is cancer. The mutation of cells and the uncontrolled growth of cells causes the development of cancer.
The good news is that kombucha can help in preventing the development and spreading of various cancer cells because the former is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols (17).
Aside from that, the micronutrients found in tea, such as polyphenols, are capable of blocking the mutation of genes and the growth of cancer cells.
These are also responsible for killing various cancer cells. These are just a few reasons why people who drink tea are less likely to suffer from different types of cancer.
Kombucha is healthy for your body, but it is always important to consider the production process. It is rich in probiotics, known for many potential health benefits. You can actually make kombucha at home, but you can always find it in stores.
For you to get the utmost health benefits, it is an excellent choice to prepare it personally and properly. It was found out that kombucha, which is over-fermented or contaminated, can cause serious health issues much worse death (18).
It is also worth noting that kombucha has up to 3 percent of alcohol.
Although it is considered a non-alcoholic beverage, a little alcohol is produced during the fermentation process. Usually, commercial products are alcohol-free, and they usually contain less than 0.5 percent. In order for you to avoid highly commercialized tea, it is best to check the label first before purchasing it.
Some people even opt for drinking kombucha as a post-workout recovery drink. Kombucha tea has antioxidants that help to protect the body, as we have noted. This helps to protect muscle tissue, while also being a healthier option than carbonated beverages.
You can use either green or black tea when making kombucha. Both green and black teas have weight loss benefits. According to Livestrong, it really doesn’t matter what tea you drink for as long as you observe a proper diet and engage in regular exercise (19). Anyway, here are a few reasons why kombucha can help in weight loss:
A study has shown that black tea is capable of helping you lose weight and maintain your health (20). Kombucha tea can offer you similar effects.
The mechanism practiced by the particles found in green tea is different from black tea. Usually, the mechanism used by black tea involves the gut microbiome, which helps in decreasing bacteria found in the gut. These bacteria share a strong association with obesity. By promoting healthy gut bacteria, there are other benefits to consider too – all of which help with weight loss.
Research shows that Americans love black tea. In fact, 80 percent of all the tea consumed is composed of black tea (21).
Although black tea is usually overshadowed by green tea, the former is also hailed to have the ability to help you lose weight. Of course, it works in a different way. Whether you choose kombucha containing black tea or green tea, both have the same effect, and that is to lose weight.
With these factors in mind, it becomes clear that kombucha weight loss might be a possibility to consider. Drinking kombucha not only helps with weight loss, however. It is a delicious drink that improves your gut bacteria. Kombucha tea helps with the gut flora, which relates to additional benefits for your digestive system.
Kombucha may consist of green tea. Green tea typically contains caffeine and catechin, an antioxidant. We already know that antioxidant may help you in losing weight. This antioxidant-rich beverage will not only help in slowing down aging but also in giving you energy for everyday activity.
More importantly, it helps in your weight loss goal. Just come to think about the benefits of losing weight. According to WebMD, any weight loss can aid in preventing heart disease and lowering blood pressure (22).
In fact, it was shown that people who drink a higher dose of catechins in green tea even with the same tea variety lose more weight compared to those with a lesser dose of catechins. It only means that the higher the dose of catechin, the higher the possibility of weight loss.
Do you know that a cup of black tea contains only up to 2 calories? What is more interesting is that it has 0 percent saturated fat and cholesterol. In case a cup of black tea contains more than two calories, it is mostly because this has added honey, sugar, or milk (23).
That is the reason why if you want your kombucha stem from black tea, it is a good option to make one on your own. You can be sure of the ingredients as well as the amount of honey, sugar, or milk in your black tea.
On the other hand, green tea is also highly effective at helping with weight loss. In fact, it can help you burn fats by up to 75 to 100 calories a day. You may find it small, but over time, this can significantly help you lose weight. The catechins and caffeine found in green tea are responsible for boosting your metabolism as well as increasing the fats your burn (24).
High-calorie drinks tend to contribute significantly to your daily calorie intake. The holistic approach kombucha, which is a fermented beverage, can still be a sweet drink without all of the added sugar. Thus, kombucha for weight loss also works by reducing the number of calories you consume.
In order to aid in digestion, you can drink your kombucha before meals. This will most likely help you in losing weight as the sour taste of kombucha can help in curbing your appetite. If you drink this with your meal, the nutrients found in your food may be useless.
Moreover, it is a good alternative for your coffee. Kombucha contains caffeine, so it is helpful for those with low energy. This is, however, another added benefit when using kombucha for weight loss.
It is worth noting that the fermentation process may produce some alcohol in your kombucha. Make sure to drink many water to keep you hydrated.
Since it has caffeine content, you should avoid drinking kombucha before going to bed. Make sure that you prepare it properly; otherwise, you will be at risk of unhealthy bacteria and contamination. Of course, excess of anything is bad. Since it has acetic acid, you should not drink too much of it. Otherwise, it will affect your tooth enamel (25).
Indeed, kombucha is capable of treating various chronic health problems. Make sure to check the label first before purchasing it. Otherwise, you will be at risk of highly commercialized tea with high sugar content that is certainly harmful to your entire well-being.
On the other hand, if you opt to make your own kombucha, you should prepare it properly. Remember that highly contaminated kombucha may be detrimental to your health. Get someone who can provide medical advice if you have existing conditions that make you sensitive to microbes like Candida yeast. Make sure you understand kombucha is a healthier alternative to sodas, but you still need a reduced-calorie diet.
Your privacy is important to us
© 2007-2024 PhentermineClinics. All rights reserved. All services and content on this website are intended for educational purposes only. Always seek advice from your medical professional before making any decisions related to your health. Only your physician can perform the tests necessary to determine what’s right for you. PhentermineClinics does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
