What is kombucha and why is it good for you?
Perhaps you’ve been hearing the buzz around kombucha and you’re wondering why it’s becoming so popular, or maybe you’re looking for natural ways to improve your gut health. You could even just be looking for a healthy alternative to your favourite soda, with the same great flavour profile. Whichever reason has led you to become curious about kombucha, we’re here to tell you all about it. The article below covers everything you need to know about kombucha, including what it is, what benefits it has, and who it is suitable for. Simply keep reading to find out more about this centuries old carbonated drink.
What is kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented drink which is made using green or black tea, it has a fizzy composition and a light, bubbly flavour profile. It is made by combining brewed tea with bacteria and yeast cultures, as well as some sugar. The sugar feeds the bacteria and yeast, which allows the tea to ferment and develop its fizz. At this stage the kombucha usually has a slightly sweet taste with an acidic tang, but more often than not it is flavoured with natural ingredients such as fruit or honey to make it more palatable.
Kombucha is not a new invention, and it has been drunk for over 2000 years in East Asia. However, thanks to the health benefits it provides, the drink is now widely available across the globe and continues to grow in popularity in countries such as the UK and the US.
Does kombucha have caffeine?
Kombucha does contain minimal amounts of caffeine that are found naturally in the teas used in the fermentation process. It does not usually have added caffeine, and does not contain nearly as much caffeine as a coffee-based beverage. This is because the fermentation process actually helps to eliminate the caffeine from the tea, and the longer the kombucha is left to brew, the more caffeine is consumed by the bacteria and yeast. So even those with caffeine sensitivities may be able to enjoy the carbonated beverage.
Is kombucha an alcoholic drink?
Since Kombucha is fermented, it can contain alcohol. Typically, these are very trace amounts of less than 0.5%. Some drinks may be brewed to contain higher alcohol levels however, so if this is a concern you should make sure you check the label on the drink. It is worth noting that even the ‘non-alcoholic’ versions of kombucha may still contain very small amounts of alcohol due to the sugar content which breaks down into carbon dioxide and alcohol.
Why is kombucha good for you?
Fermented foods and drinks such as kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir all contain natural probiotics which can help to boost gut health. Probiotics can aid with weight loss, better digestion, and reduced inflammation. The presence of these natural probiotics is one of the main health benefits of drinking kombucha but it does also present other advantages. For example, because it is made with tea, drinking it will allow you to benefit from the properties of specific tea types. If you drink a green tea based kombucha, you are likely to benefit from improved cholesterol levels, help with blood sugar control, and increased levels of antioxidants.
According to the Healthline, studies have also shown that kombucha might help improve liver health, reduce heart disease risk, help manage type 2 diabetes, and offer some protection against certain cancers. However, more research is needed to confirm these benefits.
How much kombucha should you drink a day?
Whilst Kombucha is a healthy and delicious drink, we wouldn’t recommend drinking more than 500ml a day. Drinking more than this isn’t likely to cause any serious effects, but you will be consuming higher levels of sugar and the fizziness of the drink might cause bloating or digestive upset. As with all foods and drinks, kombucha should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet. If you want to further increase your digestive health and reap the benefits of probiotic cultures, we would recommend looking at using other gut health supplements alongside drinking kombucha.
Can you make kombucha at home?
You can make your own kombucha at home without the use of specialist equipment. This allows you to experiment with different flavours and teas. You will need to purchase a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast), alongside your tea and some starter liquid. However, this will take a lot of patience and trial and error, as you’ll need to wait for the drink to ferment. If you’re short on time, we’d suggest browsing through our collection of kombucha drinks which boasts a wide range of flavours and brands. For those wanting a refreshing and fruity beverage, the raspberry lemonade naturally flavoured kombucha by Remedy is a great choice.
Remedy Raspberry Lemonade Kombucha £2.19
For something with a fiery kick that can help to reignite your immune system, the Fix8 Ginger and Turmeric kombucha offers 25% of your daily recommended intake of vitamin C, alongside added probiotic cultures for gut health.
Fix8 Ginger Turmeric Kombucha 250ml £1.99
Find your perfect kombucha flavour profile with Planet Organic
All kombucha drinks have a unique taste, and you might need to try a few to see which one you like best. At Planet Organic, we stock a wide range of flavours from tropical twists to raw kombucha, head down to one of our stores or shop the collection online to find your new go-to fizzy drink. Alternatively, if kombucha doesn’t sound like it’s for you, you can shop a range of probiotics and gut health supplements that are better suited to your lifestyle.
