Top Health Benefits of Kombucha

Top Health Benefits of Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented tea that has all sorts of powerful health benefits. Here are the top health benefits of kombucha.

1. Kombucha is a Rich Source of Probiotics

Kombucha is made by adding specific strains of bacteria, yeast and sugar to black or green tea, and then allowing it to ferment for a week or more.

During fermentation, the bacteria and yeast form a mushroom-like blob on the surface, which is why kombucha is also known as “mushroom tea”.

This blob is actually a living symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, or a “SCOBY”, and can be used to ferment new kombucha.

The fermentation process produces vinegar and several other acidic compounds, trace levels of alcohol, gases that make it carbonated, as well as large amounts of probiotic bacteria.

STUDIES: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22127952, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23886977

Probiotics provide your gut with healthy bacteria, which can improve many aspects of health, including digestion, inflammation and even weight loss.

For this reason, adding probiotic foods like kombucha to your diet can improve your health in many ways.

2. Kombucha Contains the Antioxidant Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea contains many bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, which function as powerful antioxidants in the body. This is what makes it one of the healthiest beverages on the planet.

Kombucha made from green tea has many of the same chemical properties and therefore many of the same benefits.

STUDIES: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17557985, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23803878

Studies show that drinking green tea regularly can increase the amount of calories you burn, reduce belly fat, help with blood sugar control and may even reduce your risk of certain cancers .

3. Kombucha May Reduce Heart Disease Risk

Heart disease is the world’s leading cause of death.

Rat studies find that kombucha can greatly improve two markers of heart health, LDL and HDL cholesterol, in as little as 30 days.

Tea (especially green tea) protects LDL cholesterol particles from oxidation, which is thought to contribute to heart disease.

STUDY: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18641205

In fact, green tea drinkers have up to a 31% lower risk of developing heart disease, a benefit that should also be seen from drinking kombucha.

4. Kombucha May Help Manage Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes affects over 300 million people worldwide. It’s characterized by high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance.

STUDY: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22591682

A study in diabetic rats found that kombucha slowed down the digestion of carbs, which reduced blood sugar levels. It also improved liver and kidney function.

Kombucha made from green tea is likely to be even more beneficial, as green tea itself has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels.

STUDY: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20008687

In fact, a review study of almost 300,000 individuals found that green tea drinkers had an 18% lower risk of becoming diabetic.

So there you have it, Kombucha is a probiotic-rich tea with many health benefits.

You can make it yourself at home but you have to be very careful to prepare it properly. The much safer option is to buy it in store.

Further reading: https://authoritynutrition.com/8-benefits-of-kombucha-tea/

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Studies mentioned in video:

Study 1: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22127952
Study 2: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23886977
Study 3: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17557985
Study 4: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23803878
Study 5: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18641205
Study 6: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22591682
Study 7: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20008687