Many scientists believe that antioxidants from foods and beverages are better for your health than antioxidant supplements Kombucha, especially when made with green tea, appears to have antioxidant effects in your liver. While no human studies exist on this topic, it does seem like a promising area of research for people with liver disease.
One of the main substances produced during the fermentation of kombucha is acetic acid, which is also abundant in vinegar. Like the polyphenols in tea, acetic acid is able to kill many potentially harmful microorganisms Kombucha made from black or green tea appears to have strong antibacterial properties, particularly against infection-causing bacteria and Candida yeasts These antimicrobial effects suppress the growth of undesirable bacteria and yeasts, but they do not affect the beneficial, probiotic bacteria and yeasts involved in kombucha fermentation.
Even more importantly, tea especially green tea protects LDL cholesterol particles from oxidation, which is thought to contribute to heart disease 25 , 26 , Type 2 diabetes affects over million people worldwide. It is characterized by high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. A study in diabetic rats found that kombucha slowed down the digestion of carbs, which reduced blood sugar levels. It also improved liver and kidney function Kombucha made from green tea is likely to be even more beneficial, as green tea itself has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels Further human studies are needed to investigate the benefits of kombucha for blood sugar control.
It is characterized by cell mutation and uncontrolled cell growth. In test-tube studies, kombucha helped prevent the growth and spread of cancerous cells due to its high concentration of tea polyphenols and antioxidants 33 , How the anti-cancer properties of tea polyphenols work is not well understood. For this reason, it is not surprising that tea drinkers are much less likely to develop various types of cancer 36 , 37 , However, whether kombucha has any anti-cancer effects in people has not been confirmed.
Further studies are needed. The end result? Kombucha also provides B vitamins, a handful of essential minerals, organic acids Think: like when vinegar ferments such as acetic , glucuronic and D-Saccharic acids. These acids, Smith says, have been shown to be antimicrobial, so they fight against bacterial growth.
They can also promote detoxification by helping the liver get rid of undesired compounds that it has to process. Last, these acids help transport polyphenols in the body. To put that in perspective, your average craft beer clocks in at just under 6 percent.
But just how beneficial is kombucha? The American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 6 teaspoons equal to 25 grams or calories of added sugar per day for women. Men are allowed a bit more — about 9 teaspoons equal to 36 g or calories of added sugar per day, per the organization.
By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: November 15, Medically Reviewed. May Help Strengthen the Immune System The gut-healthy benefits of kombucha may also provide an immune system boost. May Aid Depression Treatment Symptoms of depression vary from person to person but can include a general feeling of sadness and hopelessness. May Boost Cardiovascular Health 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.
May Promote Liver Health Similarly, kombucha may improve liver health due to its potential ability to detoxify the body. May Play a Role in Lowering Blood Sugar Drinking kombucha might also benefit those who are insulin resistant or have diabetes. Help Maintain Healthy Weight Kombucha can be an alternative drink if you enjoy soda or juices yet are looking for a beverage with fewer calories and less sugar and to lose or maintain your weight.
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Watawana M, Jayawardena N, et al. Journal of Chemistry. Bauer B. What Is Kombucha Tea? Mayo Clinic. July Kapoor MP, Sugita M, et al. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. May Cleveland Clinic. March Food Microbiology. It could potentially help ease constipation, bloating, IBS, and more, but additional studies are needed to confirm these effects.
The good news: Various Lactobacillus strains of bacteria, like those that have been identified in kombucha, seem to help improve the ratio of good to bad bacteria in the gut microbiome and increase the production of short chain fatty acids SCFAs.
SCFAs are beneficial compounds that stop gut inflammation and help heal intestinal damage that might otherwise trigger an unhealthy immune response. In fact, research suggests that kombucha made from black or green tea has strong antimicrobial properties against harmful bacteria and Candida yeasts. Much more research is needed in this area, but in one lab study , kombucha helped prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells. In another , kombucha was able to slow angiogenesis — the formation of blood vessels that feed tumor growth — and decrease the survival of cancer cells.
Tea polyphenols have been shown to protect against the development of cancers by interfering with enzymes needed for cancer cell growth.
Research also suggests that regular tea drinkers are less likely to develop various types of cancer. Kombucha may be a convenient and tasty addition to a heart-healthy diet.
Studies on rats show that kombucha can reduce LDL bad cholesterol and increase HDL good cholesterol — two markers of heart disease — potentially even more so than green tea. Tea can also help protect LDL cholesterol particles from becoming oxidized, which is thought to be an even bigger driver of heart disease. Clearly, kombucha can be part of an overall healthy diet, but as with any food or drink, quality matters. How much you drink matters, too.
Here are some kombucha cons to consider:. Kombucha is made by fermenting brewed tea with a SCOBY and sugar, which results in a fizzy fermented drink containing polyphenol antioxidants, probiotics, organic acids, and other healthy compounds.
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