Say Cheers to Kombucha

A sweet and slightly fizzy fermented drink is making headlines everywhere. Nutrition experts vouch for its numerous benefits from boosting immunity, mental health, liver health to improving gut health. Supported by scientific and medical research, the buzz over kombucha is completely worth it.

Kombucha is made in a really unique way. It’s fermented using a culture called SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast). When added to a mixture of black or green tea and sugar, the bacteria and yeast in SCOBY undergo a fermentation process. The result is a fizzy, tangy, and sweet Kombucha beverage.

There are a number of healthy benefits that this bubbly drink can offer. For instance, its calorie count is generally much lower, making it a greater alternative to sugar-loaded drinks. Its nutritional profile can vary based on how it is made, but it generally contains essential vitamins, such as B and C, and minerals such as copper, iron, and zinc, all of which are known to stabilize mood and improve concentration.

Most importantly, it is a powerful probiotic. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are present everywhere in our body, especially in our gut. Our bodies are home to over 100 trillion bacteria. These good bacteria are constantly working to defend our body against pathogens. They are closely linked to influencing our mood, behavior, weight, food cravings, hormone balance, immunity, and overall wellness.

That’s not all. This super drink can have a powerful impact on our gut health.

Kombucha has a low pH, meaning that it is acidic, and therefore aids in preventing the growth of disease causing bacteria, such as E.coli and some strains of salmonella which can cause food poisoning. A recent study conducted in 2021 found that kombucha was effective at reducing the number of E.coli colonies that can enter the body through contaminated water.

A healthy gut equates to a healthier brain and a happier you.

The gut benefits of kombucha extend to the brain too. It helps relieve stress that can manifest from changes in gut bacteria that in turn influence our mood. A glass of kombucha can be exactly what the body needs to rebalance after a tiring day.

This powerhouse of a beverage can help you sleep better too. The gut is the largest producer of serotonin, a precursor to melatonin, the sleep hormone that controls our sleep cycle. Various research studies provide insight that a lack of good bacteria in the gut can inhibit serotonin production which in turn reduces melatonin, disrupting our sleep cycle. Kombucha is filled with live microbes that can restore the balance of healthy gut bacteria that will definitely leave you with a better night’s sleep.

As you can see kombucha is more than just a delicious drink. Not only is it an easy way to get more probiotics into the body, it has several other proven health benefits too. If you haven’t already, do give kombucha some serious consideration.