· By Lewis Comber
The Health Benefits of Kombucha: A Guide to Better Gut Health
Kombucha is a popular drink that has been around for thousands of years and has recently gained popularity as a healthy alternative to sugary drinks. This fermented tea is made from tea, sugar, yeast, and bacteria and is known for its tangy and effervescent taste. Kombucha is also known by many people as a drink with health benefits. We make some wonderful kombucha here at Hip Pop, but one of the best things about this drink is that you can make it yourself from the comfort of your own kitchen! So, what exactly are some of these benefits? Let's dive into it.
A quick disclaimer about the health benefits of kombucha: The scientific research into kombucha as a drink itself is limited. There are, however, many studies into some of the primary ingredients that make up kombucha. Things such as tea, antioxidants, fermentation bacteria etc are all heavily researched topics. The health benefits discussed in this article are in relation to research on these specific ingredients rather than kombucha as a whole.
Check out this video: The Health Benefits of Kombucha
From our YouTube channel - The Gut Health Channel
Probiotic Properties
One of the key reasons that people drink kombucha is because of its probiotic properties. Probiotics are live microorganisms that are beneficial to the host and are found in certain foods, including fermented drinks like kombucha. Probiotics play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for overall health. Research has shown that consuming probiotics can help to improve symptoms of digestive disorders such as bloating, constipation, and diarrhoea.
Antioxidant Content
Another health benefit of kombucha is its antioxidant content. Antioxidants are compounds that neutralise harmful substances known as free radicals, which can cause oxidative stress and contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Some studies have shown that kombucha contains antioxidants that are effective in reducing oxidative stress and protecting against cellular damage.
Detoxification Benefits
In addition to its probiotic and antioxidant properties, kombucha is also believed to have detoxification benefits. The antioxidants in kombucha can help to neutralise and eliminate harmful substances from the body.. Furthermore, kombucha contains organic acids that have been shown to support the liver's ability to detoxify the body.
The Benefits of Tea
Kombucha is made from tea. A quick search on google will point you in the direction of numerous scientific studies showing the health benefits of a good old cup of cha.
Tea is a plant and is therefore an excellent source of polyphenols. Polyphenols are a very diverse group of compounds found in plants. Any plant that is bright and colourful is particularly rich in these compounds. In plants, polyphenols help to protect the plant from the sun and from pathogens.
Tea contains different types of polyphenol. There are actually 1000s of different types of polyphenol. And then the type of tea varies even further. There are many varieties of tea, all coming within the species camellia sinensis. Green tea and black tea are both the same plant, camellia sinensis, they are just processed differently during manufacture and consequently have different levels of polyphenol.
So Green tea is high in a type of polyphenol called catechins, black tea still contains catechins, but it contains less than green. However black tea contains more theaflavins. Again showing that it’s really good to vary what you eat and drink even when it comes down to the type of tea.
Weight Management
Kombucha is a low-calorie beverage that can help with weight management. By choosing kombucha over high-calorie sugary drinks, individuals can reduce their caloric intake and potentially improve their weight status. Additionally, kombucha is a nutritious drink that contains various vitamins and minerals, which can further support weight management efforts.
Mental Health
As mentioned earlier, a healthy gut microbiome is essential for overall health, and this includes mental health. Studies have shown that probiotics can help to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Energy Boosting
Finally, kombucha is believed to have energy-boosting properties. This is because kombucha contains small amounts of caffeine and B-vitamins, which are essential for energy production in the body. By consuming kombucha, individuals may be able to improve their energy levels and enhance their physical performance.
Conclusion
So there we have it! The probiotic, antioxidant, and detoxification properties of the ingredients in kombucha have been well documented in scientific literature, and the ingredients in this beverage have been shown to support digestive health, boost the immune system, promote healthy weight management, improve mental health, and increase energy.
While further research is needed to fully understand the effects of kombucha, these findings provide a meaningful foundation upon which we can base an assumption of the health benefits kombucha provides to the body.
