You’ve probably heard all the fuss around kombucha, but what is it? And is it beneficial for our health? Kombucha is a fermented drink usually made with black tea, yeast, sugar, and water. Although this fizzy drink has recently become popular, it has existed for thousands of years. It is estimated that this drink was first made about 2,000 years ago in China and then spread across Asia, Russia, and Europe in the 20th century. While there is not enough research on kombucha benefits, it is a fact that kombucha contains probiotics and contains antioxidants. However, here are some of the health benefits kombucha consumption has been linked to:

Gut Health

Since kombucha is a fermented beverage made with yeast, several probiotics are found in it that are beneficial for your gut. Some of those bacteria produce acetic acid, the same acid found in apple cider vinegar, which can help break down, digest, and absorb nutrients.

Kills Bacteria

Because of the concentration of acetic acid kombucha has, it can kill harmful bacteria when ingested. This beverage is also made with green and black tea, which is known to have antibacterial properties against harmful bacteria overgrowth and Candida yeast.

Chronic Illness

Kombucha consumption has also been linked to reducing heart disease risk and managing Type 2 Diabetes. Although this study has not been done on humans, in rats, kombucha improved LDL (bad cholesterol) and DL (good cholesterol) levels in less than a month.

Green tea, found in kombucha, has also been linked to reducing the risk of developing heart disease up to 31%, which is significant. Green tea has also been shown to lower blood sugar levels in human studies and has been shown to slow down the digestion of carbohydrates in rats, reducing spikes in blood sugar levels.

Warnings

Since kombucha contains live bacteria, it is essential to contact a health specialist if you have any of the following: Candida infection, recent weight loss, yeast infection, IBS, autoimmune conditions, or are pregnant.