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5 Amazing Health Benefits of Kombucha for Gut and Heart Wellness
- Dawn Chambers, PT, DPT
- Apr 8, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 26
Kombucha tea has exploded in popularity, and for good reason. Learn about five of the top science-backed benefits of kombucha, including gut health, antioxidant protection, and heart health support.
Kombucha has become a popular wellness drink, lining the shelves of almost every grocery store with its fizzy, tangy flavors. But is kombucha really healthy? In this post, we'll dive into five evidence-based benefits of drinking kombucha — from supporting your gut health to potentially protecting your heart — and why you might want to add it to your wellness routine.
Why Kombucha Is Good for You: 5 Powerful Benefits Backed by Research
Kombucha is a fizzy tea drink that has been fermented. The tea is prepared, and yeast and bacteria (also known as SCOBY) are added during the fermentation process. The final product is a tangy tea that can offer health benefits.
Once the SCOBY (aka tea fungus) is released in the tea, it takes about 7-10 days for fermentation to happen. This aids in producing the carbonation and sweet/sour flavor kombucha is known for.
How Is Kombucha Good for You?
Ultimately, yes, drinking kombucha tea is good for you. This fermented tea drink has been noted as a good source of polyphenols and antioxidants. |*| These can aid in reducing heart risk, preventing cancer, and much more. Some of the reported benefits include the following:
· A potential source of probiotics
· Antioxidant-rich drink
· Aids in killing bacteria
· Can help with Type 2 Diabetes management
· May aid in reducing the risk of cardiac disease
The Best Kombucha Health Benefits: Why People Love Kombucha
Below, we explore each benefit more in-depth.
Potential Probiotic Source
Probiotics are naturally occurring throughout the body and aid in keeping you healthy and regulating your body. Increasing your probiotic intake can help with skin diseases like eczema, stomach issues, and illnesses. Consuming good bacteria, aka probiotics, through food or drinks can help increase the number of good microbes in your system. |*|
Research has shown that kombucha naturally contains beneficial bacteria, particularly lactic acid bacteria, which are commonly associated with gut health. While current studies do not officially classify kombucha as a consistent probiotic source — due to variations in preparation methods — the presence of live bacteria suggests it may contribute to a healthier gut microbiome when consumed regularly.
Best Selling Probiotic Brands from Pure Formulas [*]:
Antioxidant-Rich Drink
As noted, kombucha is a good source of antioxidants that potentially connect to a decrease in heart disease risk, cancer, and other diseases.|*| Research supports a high concentration of polyphenols in the form of flavonoids in kombucha. |*| Polyphenols have been known to be potent antioxidants.
It's important to note that certain varieties of kombucha contain more antioxidants than others. According to the above study, you should consume kombucha made from red or green tea for the most significant dose of antioxidants.
Antimicrobial Properties
Kombucha contains acetic acid, which has been shown to have an antimicrobial effect, especially on certain strains of bad bacteria. During this study, kombucha fought against strains like E. Coli and Sh. sonnei. |*| While E. Coli is naturally occurring in the human body, some types can cause sickness in the form of an upset stomach or even more serious illnesses like pneumonia. |*|
Possible Type 2 Diabetes Benefits
Type 2 diabetes is typically diagnosed in the adult years. Diabetes affects the way your body manages blood sugar, which can have other adverse effects in the future, like developing heart disease and kidney disease. |*|
According to this study performed on diabetic rats, the liver and kidney functions were protected during kombucha consumption. This drink also helped blood sugar stay at a more manageable level. |*|
For years, green tea has shown a positive effect on reducing blood sugar levels. |*| Because of this, kombucha with a base of green tea can potentially offer more positive effects on those with Type 2 diabetes than other varieties.
May Reduce Risk of Cardiac Disease
As mentioned above, kombucha is a good source of antioxidants that strongly connect with heart health. According to this study, consuming flavonoids has been shown to decrease cardiovascular disease risk substantially. |*|
One study performed on rats notes that kombucha aided in decreasing the level of cholesterol. |*|Having higher cholesterol levels has been linked with heart disease. |*|
Final Thoughts on Why You May Want to Try Kombucha
Consuming kombucha has been shown to provide multiple health benefits, specifically relating to antioxidants, probiotics, and bad bacteria. If you're looking for a way to increase your antioxidants or decrease the bad bacteria in your gut, kombucha can be a drink that aids you in these areas. Plus, it is super easy to pack in your lunch so you can practice wellness at work!
Best Kombucha Brands to Try [*]:
Wellness is what you consume and how you take care of the rest of your body and mind. Stay on track with your wellness goals using the Daily Wellness Planner.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site, including text, graphics, images, and other material, is provided solely for informational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your specific condition.
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