Kombucha why is it good for you

What's the truth? Simply put, kombucha is a fermented drink made by adding bacteria and yeast to a mixture of black or green tea and sugar, says Alissia Zenhausern , a licensed naturopathic medical doctor practicing in Scottsdale, Arizona. The ingredients used to make kombucha may sound sketchy. Yet this drink has become increasingly popular as a potential source of probiotics , which are live organisms that help balance the intestinal flora, according to a December review in the Journal of Chemistry.

Sounds great, right? While lots of people view kombucha as a gut-friendly food, the truth is that research on the fizzy drink is limited, the Mayo Clinic points out. Nonetheless, early research suggests it may boost your gut health and more. But thanks to the epigallocatechingallate EGCG found in the green tea of some types of kombucha, it may be a secret to a slightly faster metabolism. EGCG is a catechin, a compound found in green tea.

According to a review published in May in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, catechins have the potential to boost metabolic rates in adults. But existing studies on the topic are short and small, and the authors of the review note that more research is needed to know the true effects of EGCG on metabolism. As a potential source of probiotics, one purported health benefit of kombucha is its ability to balance good bacteria in the gut and relieve some gastrointestinal issues, but more research is needed, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

And if so, drinking kombucha might improve irritable bowel syndrome , inflammatory bowel diseases, bloating , and constipation , notes the Cleveland Clinic. Chronic inflammation is involved in just about every health condition, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, allergies, and respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD , according to a June article in StatPearls. Inflammation is at the root of some gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, and research suggests that low-grade inflammation might contribute to irritable bowel syndrome.

This inflammation may be the result of an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut, known as gut dysbiosis. This claim is based on kombucha having antioxidant properties , which help rid the body of free radicals and other harmful substances that promote the growth of cancerous cells, notes the review in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry.

By inhibiting angiogenesis, researchers concluded that kombucha could help decrease the survival of prostate cancer cells. Per the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry review, the compounds in kombucha that may help inhibit cancer growth include polyphenols, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, lactic acid, and vitamin C. It's important to note that the digestive system and immune system are closely intertwined; the lining of the intestines creates antibodies that help protect the body, according to John Hopkins Medicine.

Thus, Zenhausern explains, optimal gut health is the key to a strong immune system. The fermenting bacteria in kombucha can boost immunity, thanks to the dose of good bacteria they provide, says Zenhausern. Symptoms of depression vary from person to person but can include a general feeling of sadness and hopelessness.

Depression can also cause problems, including insomnia , poor concentration, and low energy, according to the Mayo Clinic. There haven't been studies specifically linking kombucha and depression.

Zenhausern further notes that 95 percent of serotonin is produced in your gut, not your brain, so optimal gut health is important for mental health and mood regulation, too. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , heart disease increases the risk of stroke or heart attack, but healthy lifestyle changes can improve your cardiovascular health.

This includes following a healthy diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins. You should also incorporate exercise , medication, and yes, even kombucha. Researchers need to conduct more human studies to confirm the effectiveness of kombucha on cholesterol. But according to a study published in April in Pharmaceutical Biology , rats administered kombucha showed lower levels of LDL "bad" cholesterol and higher levels of HDL "good" cholesterol. More research is needed, but future studies could similarly reveal that kombucha improves cholesterol levels in humans.

Only time will tell. Similarly, kombucha may improve liver health due to its potential ability to detoxify the body. So over time, drinking the beverage may reduce how hard your liver has to work, per the Journal of Chemistry.

Change may be on the cards, however. Such is the interest in fermented foods that governing bodies have been forced to get involved, particularly in the US, where sales of kombucha are growing at a faster rate than any other soft drink. The National Institute of Health is currently funding clinical trials into various fermented products and there are high hopes that this will yield more concrete information on their health benefits in the next five to 10 years.

And while much has been written about the potential of fermented foods to have an impact on what bacteria live in our guts, Marco believes any notable benefit may instead come from their interactions with the small intestine, possibly by stimulating the immune system and preventing toxins from getting into the bloodstream.

It also happens to be the place where most of our immune cells are. If there do turn out to be any clear benefits, scientists say we should still expect them to be relatively small. Eating a balanced diet, minimising stress levels and getting good quality sleep all have a far greater effect on our body as a whole than any single food.

No food is going to have a dramatic, wide-ranging effect on the body, like a drug, unless you make wholesale changes to your diet. Not that kombucha makers are concerned. With a variety of brands and flavour profiles pouring into the market, they believe that the only trajectory is up. And kombucha, I think, is going to continue to lead the way.

Is kombucha good for you? South Korean women prepare kimchi for charity in Seoul, What do we know? Here is a list of 11 super healthy probiotic foods.

Fermented foods and drinks contain beneficial probiotics that can help improve digestion, immunity, and even weight loss.

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This article explores the environmental and…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Kombucha is a fermented tea that has been consumed for thousands of years. Here are the top 8 health benefits of kombucha, based on scientific evidence. Kombucha is a Potential Source of Probiotics. Share on Pinterest. Summary Kombucha made from green tea may offer many of the same health benefits as green tea itself, such as weight loss and blood sugar control.

Kombucha Contains Antioxidants. Kombucha Can Kill Bacteria. The health relevance of these antimicrobial properties is unclear. Summary Kombucha is rich in tea polyphenols and acetic acid, which have both been shown to suppress the growth of undesirable bacteria and yeasts.

It may also protect against heart disease.