In short, there isn't enough proof that kombucha tea has the health benefits that some claim. At the same time, cases of harm have been reported. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding or who have weakened immune systems should avoid kombucha tea.
There are a few populations that should never ingest kombucha. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, and individuals with liver or kidney disease, HIV, impaired immune systems, and alcohol dependency should avoid kombucha.
Many kombucha drinks have a lot of added sugar, which helps to make them taste better. Too much sugar, however, can cause problems for people with diabetes. Added sugars may also increase diabetes, obesity, fatty liver, and heart disease risks. Kombucha tea is an acidic beverage, which can pose problems for your teeth.
Yes, Kombucha is a fantastic probiotic, containing beneficial live microorganisms that can help improve gut health, but a word of caution here. The kombucha has to have been traditionally brewed and fermented in order for the living bacterial cultures to contain helpful probiotics.
"Everything should be enjoyed in moderation. While a glass of kombucha is A-OK, drinking multiple servings every single day may not be the best choice," Manaker says, noting that it might invade the space of good ol' H2O, can contain some caffeine from the tea, and could do a number on your teeth due to its acidity.
While the bacteria in Kombucha is used to create a certain taste and fizziness, Yakult is fermented until very high levels of the unique live Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain are reached to create a probiotic drink.
Excess caffeine
Depending on the type of tea, this could provide a person with a lot of added caffeine. For those sensitive to caffeine or who already drink caffeinated beverages, adding kombucha may increase caffeine consumption and cause symptoms such as: anxiety. irritability.
Too much 'booch can cause bloating and bowel trouble.
Kombucha can also be a problem for people with irritable bowel syndrome, since it is high in a certain type of carbohydrate that can be quickly fermented by gut bacteria, causing gas and other digestive woes.
First off, kombucha is rich in probiotics, which help to create a balance in your gut. They can help with digestion, bloating and a whole range of ghastly gut-related issues. Even weight loss! Kombucha also contains antioxidants, which fight free radicals in the body.
Kombucha tea has caused stomach upset, infections and allergic reactions in some people. Kombucha tea is often made (brewed) in homes under unclean conditions. This makes it likely that bad bacteria can grow. Also, when the tea is made with ceramic pots that have lead in them, lead poisoning happens.
Kombucha tea might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking kombucha tea along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Boosting your gut health
“Good” bacteria are essential for your gut microbiome to thrive — and fermented foods such as kombucha contain probiotics to help keep those levels high. “Kombucha can really help feed and increase that good, healthy gut bacteria, which can help decrease any bad bacteria,” says Zumpano.
But why is it SO popular? You still might be asking yourself why it became so popular, and for that, we can point to its many potential health benefits. Because it's fermented, kombucha is considered a good source of probiotics, which helps promote digestive health, increased energy and a healthy metabolism.
Kombucha is very rich in Probiotics
Probiotics improve your gut-health by proving healthy bacteria. These bacteria can improve many aspects of health, including digestion, inflammation and weight loss.
So how long until we see benefits from drinking kombucha? Back to our original question. Factoring in all of the above, making fermented foods part of our routine, alongside a plant-rich diet means we could potentially see a difference within a few weeks.
Your Kombucha is a heartbreaker. A team of gastroenterologists from Augusta University in Georgia think so. They recently did a study suggesting many people who supplement with probiotics daily might show symptoms like gas, diarrhea, and “brain fog”.
Liver & Kidney Function - Kombucha acts as a filter, detoxifying your body from the residue left behind in the organs from processed food and aiding in the removal free radicals. Most toxins are fat soluble, so it takes the liver more time to get rid of them.
While kombucha itself is not a laxative, it still may make you poop shortly after drinking it. This is because it contains both probiotics and water. Probiotics and water together help speed up the movement of food through the digestive tract.
Calories: Kombucha often contains fewer calories than yogurt, especially if the yogurt contains added sugars. Protein and nutrients: Yogurt from dairy alternatives (e.g. coconut milk yogurt) is a great alternative to animal protein. Kombucha, on the other hand, does not contain protein.
Absolutely! It is actually recommended for adults to drink one to two bottles of Yakult every day to help support digestion and the immune system. That said, this probiotic yogurt drink isn't meant to replace other parts of your diet — keep in mind it's only a little 3 oz.