North America is the biggest market for Kombucha worldwide, accounting for 39.4 % of the total shares. However, a 1.8 billion dollar industry did not just break out and find that kind of popularity.
Over the years, research has proved the advantages of consuming the Kombucha drink. As such, with the probiotic and fitness industry boom, Kombucha has also found popularity among the common folk.
Meanwhile, in addition to aiding digestion and being an excellent beverage, Kombucha serves a few different health purposes. So, read ahead to find out what they are:
Probiotic Drink
Kombucha is prepared by combining certain bacteria, yeast, and sugar strains with black or green tea and fermenting it for a week or longer. And because Kombucha is a fermented tea, it is a fantastic resource of probiotics, which offer numerous health advantages.
Protects Against Cancer
According to in vitro research, Kombucha may inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Because of its high content of tea polyphenols and antioxidants, kombucha aids in the prevention of cancerous cell development and spread. However, It is uncertain whether kombucha consumption affects cancer-risk individuals.
Provides Antibiotics
Antioxidants are compounds that fight free radicals, which are reactive molecules that can cause cell damage. Meanwhile, Kombucha seems to have antioxidant properties positively affecting the liver, particularly when brewed with green tea.
Helps Manage Diabetes
Green tea kombucha may provide many health advantages as green tea itself, including weight reduction and blood sugar control. In the meantime, each year, hundreds of millions of individuals are affected by Type 2 Diabetes, characterised by elevated blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. On the other hand, Kombucha decreases carbohydrate digestion, lowering blood sugar levels. It also works by improving the functioning of the liver and kidneys.
Kills Harmful Bacteria
Acetic acid, which is plentiful in vinegar, is one of the major substances created during the fermentation of Kombucha.
Acetic acid, like polyphenols in tea, can kill a wide range of potentially dangerous microorganisms. As such, it brewed from black or green tea tends to have potent antibacterial capabilities, especially against pathogenic bacteria and Candida yeasts.
These antimicrobial properties prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and yeasts while having no effect on the healthy, probiotic bacteria and yeasts that ferment Kombucha.
Reduces Risks of Heart Diseases
In rat experiments, it has significantly improved two indicators of heart disease, LDL and “good” HDL cholesterol, in as little as 30 days.
Even more crucially, tea, mainly green tea, prevents LDL cholesterol particles from oxidising, which is linked to heart disease. As such, green tea users had a 31% reduced risk of getting heart disease, an advantage that may also extend to Kombucha.
With growing health concerns each day, people are looking for accessible and simple ways to improve their lifestyles. As such, this Drink has proven to be a great find in that sense. With its introduction to the mainstream, many people are able to understand ancient Asian tactics of maintaining a healthy body and gut. And in addition to being accessible, it is also tasty and comes in a variety of flavours that could appeal to various people.
But, regardless, it is always essential to make sure that this is not contaminated, which may cause serious adverse effects on one’s health.
One reply on “What Are the Health Benefits of Consuming Kombucha?”
Thank you for this well-researched and easy-to-understand breakdown of Kombucha’s health benefits. Your writing made the science behind it accessible and engaging. One question though—are there any groups of people (like pregnant women or those with specific conditions) who should avoid Kombucha?