Kombucha tea, which has existed in since Ancient China, more than 2000 years ago is a miraculous beverage that is known to possess goodness for the heart, brain, gut as well as skin. In Chinese culture, they are also labeled as the “immortal health elixir”, perhaps due to the long list of health benefits it possesses.
At the same time, the creation of kombucha also involves fermentation as well as bacteria, but don’t be fooled because it contains plentiful amounts of healthy bacteria known as probiotics. Consuming kombucha tea is thought to lead one to the peak most health condition. These are some other information on kombucha, its health benefits, and also the benefits of kombucha tea for skin.
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What is Kombucha Tea?
Kombucha tea is actually a fermented drink made out of black tea and sugar. The sugar itself can also be replaced using other items such as fruits or honey, provided that it gives a sweet flavour to it. Being a source of probiotics, its high concentration of bacteria and yeast is responsible for initiating fermentation once combined with sugar or glucose.
Post fermentation, kombucha turns carbonated like soda, complete with enzymes, probiotics, B vitamins, as well as acids like lactic, acetic and gluconic. The bacteria or probiotics stimulate the development of cellulose, which works as a shield to main body cells.
In addition, kombucha can also be made using green tea instead of black tea, and the sweet tea is fermented using a mixture of bacteria and yeast commonly referred to as SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). And in contrast to what many people think, SCOBY is not kombucha mushroom in any way.
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Nutritional Facts of Kombucha Tea
These are the nutritional facts of a 16-oz bottle of unpasteurized organic kombucha tea.
- Calories – 60
- Sodium – 20 mg
- Carbohydrate – 14 g
- Sugar – 4 g
- Folate – 100 mg
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) – 300 mg (20% of DV)
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) – 340 mg (25% of DV)
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin) – 4 mg (20% of DV)
- Vitamin B12 – 12 mcg (20% of DV)
What are its Health Benefits?
Here are the benefits of kombucha tea for skin:
- Kombucha is an Effective All-in-One Disease Remover
First, kombucha maintains a healthy gut. Second, kombucha is also an effective all-in-one disease remover thanks to antioxidants that detoxify and guards the body against various forms of diseases. A University of Latvia research conducted back in 2014 observed that kombucha is capable of curing infections and diseases in terms of these four major properties; detoxification, anti-oxidation, energizing potencies as well as promotion of depressed immunity.
- Kombucha Supports a Healthy Gut
Kombucha tea contains antioxidants that fight off free radicals. As we all know, free radicals are responsible for causing “internal chaos” inside one’s body. As a domino effect, the same antioxidants minimize inflammation, or the primary gateway to any disease.
In terms of digestion, kombucha helps the gut to be repopulated with healthy probiotics, along with enzymes, amino acids, as well as beneficial acids. Probiotics are needed by the gut to maintain a healthy yet balanced condition.
- Kombucha May Improve Cognitive Health
Thanks to its high vitamin B12 levels, kombucha also improves one’s mental and cognitive state other than its benefits for digestion. Mentally, it reduces the risks of anxiety and depression. Researches prove that depression is caused by a leaky gut, and yet kombucha also has the ability to repair any gut leakage.
- Kombucha is Healthy for Lungs
Kombucha is also hypothesized to be beneficial for silicosis, which is a lung disease caused by excessive exposure towards silica. However ironically, Chinese scientists who found that claim recommended that it is much better to inhale kombucha for treatment of silicosis rather than drinking it.
- Kombucha is a Powerful Antibacterial Liquid
Despite kombucha itself is also made of bacteria, however the type of bacteria found inside kombucha are the good ones. They are of course very useful for fighting off bad yet infectious bacteria. Laboratory studies have discovered that kombucha is effective in eliminating E. Coli, staph, Sh. Sonnei, Campylobacter jejuni as well as salmonella.
- Kombucha Possibly Treats Diabetes Too
Diabetes is a series of diseases that is caused by the excessive levels of blood sugars. Kombucha can come as useful for diabetic patients thanks to its antioxidants that may help alleviate the symptoms of diabetes. Interestingly, at the same time health experts have warned those with diabetes to be kombucha. But perhaps that will only be true for kombucha with a higher sugar content.
- Kombucha is also Excellent for the Cardiovascular System
Kombucha is widely believed to bring excellent benefits to the cardiovascular, however that claim is still yet to be verified more thoroughly. However, it is almost clear that in animals, kombucha helps to lower down both triglyceride and cholesterol levels. In the meantime, triglyceride is the compound that makes up fat or lipid.
- Kombucha Takes Good Care of the Liver
Liver, as we know it filters all liquids and compounds that enters the body, and converts the unhealthy ones whenever needed. That makes the liver a vital organ for the digestive system as well as the overall health. Kombucha’s antioxidant levels may prevent the liver from the overdose of acetaminophen or oxidative stress.
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Advices on Kombucha Tea
Since kombucha is a carbonated beverage, of course it shares some other disadvantages and health advices common with other carbonated drinks.
Kombucha, being both acidic and carbonated gradually deteriorates teeth. To prevent tooth decay, one can enjoy kombucha by accompanying every sip of kombucha with mineral water. In the meantime, other carbon-related side effects of kombucha include bloating, nausea, suffocation, as well as other allergic reactions. That fact poses further risks for people who suffer from digestive issues such as gastric, ulcers, heartburn, among others.
In the meantime, self-brewed kombucha is also possible however it is also risky because of possible contamination. Self-made kombucha aren’t quality controlled compared to those that are commercially produced. Self-made kombucha is still possible, however sterile kitchen, ingredients and cooking tools are important.