What is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented, slightly alcoholic, lightly effervescent, sweetened black or green tea drink commonly intended as a functional beverage for its supposed health benefits. You are drinking bacteria and yeast also known as scoby, tea fungus. The most common health benefit of this fermented beverage would be probiotics. Probiotics in kombucha are live microorganisms that are supposed to improve gastrointestinal issues such as relieving constipation by introducing healthy bacteria to your gut.
My fiancé has acquired acid reflux where he cannot consume many acidic foods or alcohol. So when I mentioned to him to try some kombucha, he mentioned that the caffeine in the probiotic tea is not advised. However, there are other types of fermented drinks that he could try that can also provide the same soothing benefits of adding a capful of vinegar to the water.
Other types of culture drinks
In addition to kombucha, Kefir is a similar probiotic that is a combination of bacteria and yeast that blend with milk that study says those with lactose intolerance can drink – I’ll argue this fact. Kefir also comes in the form of a water-based fermented drink that also provides the same type of probiotic as the milk-based drink. Another fermented beverage was known in many Central and Eastern European and Asian countries, Kvass is made from rye bread. The oldest fermented beverage and most widely consumed is various versions of the beer. Beer is made from malted barley and the fermentation of starch sugars.
Unlike beer, kombucha and kefirs can be consumed without the effects of being drunk. The percentage of alcohol found in beer can vary between 2.4% and 9.6% and 0.5% in kombucha. I can easily purchase kombucha in the grocery store, without being carded (providing my id to show that I am very much past the legal age to consume alcohol), beer is another story. Not that I am a huge beer drinker anyway.
If you are interested in trying kombucha, Brew Dr. Kombucha is available on Amazon for a reasonable cost for cans. Purchasing from my link, I will get a little commission to go towards purchasing one of these bottles.
Brew Dr. LOVE Raw Organic Kombucha, 12 Fl oz Can (3 Pack)
Benefits of drinking fermented green teas
Besides the brief explanation above about the potential source of probiotics found in kombucha, the fizzy drink also contains antioxidants, which can kill harmful bacteria and may fight diseases. Did you know that kombucha made with green tea has the benefits of reducing belly fat, improving cholesterol levels and controlling blood sugar? Green tea drinkers also have reduced risk of getting certain cancers.
Although these health benefits may assist you with your health concerns, having too much kombucha during a day may have an adverse effect where you could have more acid in your blood causing your body to react with headaches, nausea or ketoacidosis.
Brands of Fermented Beverages
Here are a few brands that I have had and don’t mind purchasing when on sale, cuz these glass bottles are not cheap:
GT’s Living Foods https://gtslivingfoods.com/our-offerings/
Health-Ade Kombucha https://health-ade.com/collections/shop-kombucha
Brew Dr. Kombucha https://www.brewdrkombucha.com/
Suja Organic Kombucha https://www.sujajuice.com/product-category/kombuchas/
The Bu Kombucha https://thebukombucha.com/
