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Is Kombucha Good For You?
Health | October 26, 2015
Kombucha has become all the rage in 2015 even though it’s been around for over 2000 years according to Dr. Keith Steinkraus, a microbiologist from Cornell University. Popular in parts of Asia and Eastern Europe for centuries, it is currently the drink of choice for hipsters and health-conscious folks alike. Alongside a slightly sour and fizzy taste, lovers of kombucha also insist the tea has a variety of health benefits ranging from the reasonable – “it’s probiotic!” – to the slightly unhinged – “it can cure cancer!”
So What Is It?
Kombucha is a type of fermented tea. It is made by combining black and green teas with yeast, active bacteria cultures and sugar. Sometimes fruit juice is added as well. The combined ingredients are then fermented for a period of roughly ten days. A mass forms resembling a mushroom during the fermentation process known as a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast). FYI, this is why kombucha is often mistakenly associated with mushrooms or called mushroom tea.
What Are The Benefits?
I don’t believe kombucha is the magical potion that many claim it is. There is little to no evidence to support some of the wilder claims fans of the tea insist upon such as curing arthritis or cancer. However, it does seem to be a suitable probiotic supplement and this may have a lot of value for our gut health. Increasingly, studies are now demonstrating just how vital proper gut health is for our overall wellbeing. Also, research now suggests that our cravings for certain foods, both good and bad, are rooted in what kind of gut bacteria is nurtured in our digestive systems.
If you’re a fan of Kombucha and can make it at home it seems to have some benefits. I don’t know if it’s really worth it to shell out money for the drink as it seems be more hype than anything else unless you simply enjoy it. There are also more effective, inexpensive ways to promote healthy gut bacteria like eating apples!
Do you drink Kombucha tea? What are your reasons? Do you buy it or make it at home?
Private Member |
Definately an aquired taste…..it’s nasty and over priced.
Private Member |
seattle, washington
There is also a fermented mushroom drink that is similar which is probably were some confusion comes from. I’ve had both homemade. They taste okay can’t say there was some obvious improvement in my health from either. Didn’t know they are trendy, maybe that is only in SoCal…
Private Member |
oklahoma city, ok
The first time I had kombucha, it grossed me out (about 4-5 years ago). But, I tried again, and like Christy said previously, it is an acquired taste. I was addicted to Dr. Pepper, and I just couldn’t seem to kick that habit. I could quit smoking! But, I could not quit drinking Dr. Pepper. I eat very healthy otherwise, and of course, do Zuzka Light workouts, which I love! So,when I started buying kombucha instead of Dr. Pepper, I could enjoy a fizzy, sweet, cold drink without the sugary, artificially carbonated soft drink. I’ve seen all the claims about kombucha, and while I agree with Zuzka that there is too much hype, it was the perfect replacement for a bad habit. And, if kombucha is only a little probiotic, then it is mountains better than a soda addiction! I also feel great drinking kombucha, because I’m not drinking Dr. Pepper, which always made me feel sort of dragged down after the initial high of enjoying the taste and carbonation, and the sugar buzz.
It is expensive though, isn’t it? I got a SCOBY about two months ago, and I have been keeping a SCOBY hotel and making my own kombucha weekly ever since. I’ve even given a SCOBY back to the person who gave me one, because she let hers go, and I’ve given one to another friend, which I think is a nice thing to pass on. I continue to drink kombucha every day, because I drink a LOT of water, and sometimes a girl just wants something different to drink for a change. Drinking 16-32 oz. of wine every day is not really an option, so kombucha it is.
Private Member |
I agree with you it is a great alternative to people especially with a soda habit. If you brew it right it has a nice carbonation and a great energizer. Also agree that it is nice to have something other than just water!
Private Member |
Mmmm. Kombucha. I discovered it about two years ago while on vacation in Hawaii. It was being served on tap at the Green Market with a line of people who would bring there own containers to be filled. I asked about the health benefits and learned it had the “good” bacteria for your gut, so I tried it and yes it is an acquired taste. I also learned there is a small amount of alcohol in Kombucha as well, although when drinking it I never felt the effect of alcohol. I did continue drinking it for a few years but it is quite expensive and a good probiotic seems to work well for me. Though this year when back on the big island I did visit the green market and the local health food store where it is served on tap and there are some yummy favors.
Private Member |
CRAZY! I was just going to get your take on it! I love Kombucha!! I make it at home and it is quite easy. I am a fan of a second ferment, but I know not all people do it. I like the probiotic benefit to it, but really it is just a nice option for me to have instead of coffee or just something when I want more than just water. People say there is a small amount of alcohol in it so I avoided it while pregnant, but as I read more just lately on Donna Schwenk’s cultured life she has had quite a few people write her that ingested ALOT and then blew into a breathalyzer and it had minimal to no reading. Not sure what the most accurate way they would measure that but sounds good to me! I do have to admit though as much as I love Kombucha the SCOBY is still alien looking to me and it is good that it is covered up. I just put in a second ferment of fresh Ginger and lemon so we will see how that turns out. Typically I just put in a few blueberries. LOVE IT, but would never buy it at over $2 a whack when it is so easy to make yourself and terribly hard to mess up.
Private Member |
Rachel I agree with you in having something to drink other than water and coffee. Sometimes after a meal it is nice to have the slight carbonation. I have wanted to try brewing my own but am fearful to have the bacteria turn into “bad” instead of good😬 I was purchasing it and it was quite expensive. Now I do miss it and use a probiotic supplement instead. What do you use as a vessel to make yours in?
Private Member |
oklahoma city, ok
Sherri, I got a lot of good information from kombuchakamp.com and thekitchn.com about kombucha before I started making mine. And like Rachel said, it is really hard to mess up. I haven’t had any problems yet, just do what you would normally do when it comes to cleanliness in your kitchen. It’s easy, it’s awesome, and it’s cheap.
Private Member |
Thank you Corinna. I will check out those sites right away. Have an awesome day😀
Private Member |
Ya, Donna Schwenk’s Cultured life is a good resource too. I just have mine in a big(gallon?) glass container on my counter covered with a cloth and rubberband around the top.
Private Member |
Wow…only took me 2 years to see your comment. Sorry about that. In case you still wondered I use a half gallon glass mason jar(covered by a cloth)for brewing and a couple beer “growlers” for the second ferment process that has a good sealing top to allow the carbonation to build. Check out Donna Schwank’s cultured life to get started. Pretty hard to make it go “bad”…it will just get vinegary tasting. If that happens just make a new tea and add it with a bit of the vinegary liquid and scoby.
Private Member |
oklahoma city, ok
Rachel, yes!! I always do the second ferment. I have tried blueberries, fresh lemon juice, fresh lime juice, fresh ginger, and a combo of those. But, I almost always just have ginger, but I also like to toss in a pinch of cayenne pepper for the second ferment. I love the little kick it gives the flavor. And I keep wanting to try fresh turmeric, but I need to go to a specific store to get it, which is a drive.:/ But, it’s so fun to make at home and come up with new flavor ideas!! I love the fizz ginger gives to the second ferment, too!! : )
Private Member |
hmmmm…turmeric. Never thought to do that but I hear it has healthy benefits in and of itself so it is worth a try. I use it alot when I stir fry veges and chicken. You make me even more excited to try the ginger!!
Private Member |
Has anyone ever tried TVP (texturized vegetable protein) in place of oats for their morning “oatmeal/cereal”. I was trying to come up with a recipe with less carbs than are in whole grain oats, but I also don’t want to harm my body more if this product is not healthy.
– 1/2 cup TVP
– 1/3 – 1/2 cup Almond milk
– 1 tsp coconut flakes
– 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
I did the following recipe, letting the almond milk soak for just a minute or two, and thought it was pretty good. However, I always hear negative associations with soy products. Any advice would be great! Thanks everyone 🙂
Private Member |
I’ve tried those kombucha drinks you can buy but it honestly tastes like fruity vinegar to me. Not so sure about it— definitely an acquired taste for those who love it! I’ll get my probiotics elsewhere 😉
Private Member |
I absolutely love Kombucha, the biggest benefit I’ve noticed from drinking it is that it curbs your appetite. I feel full and snack less if I sip on Kombucha through out the day. During the time I was training for a 50k I had long days running in the mountains and when I was finished I would drink a Kombucha, it was so refreshing to the body.
Private Member |
Never tried Kombucha, but I regularly drink Chaga tea; and that has actually been through many studies. Apparently, it is supposed to shrink/cure cancerous tumors among MANY other health benefits. Not sure if it works, but it tastes great and I do actually sleep better.
Private Member |
carpinteria, ca, usa
good advice.