Kombucha is no fermented, lightly fizzy sweetened tea made of several health benefits such as aiding in digestion, promoting weight loss, facilitating detoxification, lowering cholesterol levels, boosting heart health, controlling diabetes, and of course protecting the liver. It also does aid in reducing arthritis pain and also providing relief from gastric ulcers.
Table of Contents
What is Kombucha Tea?
Kombucha tea is of refreshing beverage much obtained by the fermentation of sweetened tea with a symbiotic association of acetic acid, bacteria, as well as specific yeast cultures. It is believed to have originated in northeast China during the third century BCE, this miraculous tea has rather been valued for its unique, refreshing taste and also has an impressive range of medicinal benefits. It is popularly referred to as the ‘Immortal Health Elixir’ in ancient Chinese literature. Other names attributed to it are kombucha that does include Manchurian mushroom tea, Russian tea, Kargasok tea, spumante, tea beer, tea cider, as well as tea kvass.
It has various flavors much depending on whether it is made from black or green tea and tastes somewhere in the middle of apple cider and champagne.
KOMBUCHA NUTRITION FACTS
Kombucha indeed contains a range of yeast and bacterial species with polyphenols, amino acids, as well as organic acids. Post the completion of the fermentation process, the tea does develop into a nutritional powerhouse with the richness of minerals such as sodium, numerous beneficial enzymes, a range of vitamins such as vitamins B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), B12 (cobalamin), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and several healthful chemical constituents such as gluconic acid, oxalic acid, acetic acid, glucuronic acid, usnic acid, fructose, and lactic acid.
Health Benefits of Kombucha Tea
DETOXIFIES THE BODY
Kombucha contains large amounts of organic acids like glucuronic acid and powerful antioxidants which help in shielding the body from oxidative damage. The antioxidants that happen to in it look out for free radicals and also neutralize their effects, thereby repairing as well as protecting the body from chronic diseases and inflammation. Furthermore, it does prevent the harmful effects of pollution caused by petroleum products along with plastics, pesticides, resins, as well as heavy metals.
IMPROVES DIGESTION
Kombucha is no with a live colony of bacteria and yeast, so it does work as a probiotic by sustaining gut health and also provides relief from various abdominal disorders that include chronic constipation as well as diarrhea. The digestive enzymes that are present in it to enhance the effects of glucuronic acid and also aids in the breakdown of proteins and saccharides, thus making the digestive system more efficient.
PROMOTES WEIGHT LOSS
Kombucha tea metabolism. A high metabolic rate does help in weight loss as it does make one feel more energized, and more likely to engage in regular physical exercise. Also, the sugar, as well as calorie content in this fermented tea, very less with little, five times lesser than a fizzy drink.
PROTECTS LIVER
Kombucha possesses the remarkable ability to detoxify one’s body. It does contain a powerful detoxifier glucuronic acid which does bind the toxins by entering the liver and also eliminating them via kidneys. This does help in reducing the burden on the pancreas and also keeps the liver healthy. A research study has also shown that this tea helps in restoring the levels of glutathione and is also remarkably effective in reducing hepatotoxicity. A comparative study conducted on black tea, kombucha tea, and enzyme-processed black tea has proven the superiority of kombucha tea in providing hepatic protection against toxicity due to the antioxidants in it.
MAINTAINS CHOLESTEROL LEVELS
It maintains healthy levels of cholesterol. The anti-lipidemic properties of this tea to help in reducing the absorption of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) as well as triglycerides, and also elevating the levels of HDL (good cholesterol) in the body.
PREVENTS HEART DISEASES
Studies do show that drinking kombucha can indeed be beneficial for the heart as it does regulate cholesterol and also lowers triglyceride levels in the blood.
CONTROLS DIABETES
Kombucha as a therapeutic agent helps in suppressing the factors that tend to cause diabetic conditions.
PREVENTS CANCER
The antioxidant-rich tea does possess anti-microbial properties and also prevents conditions such as cancer as it does contribute productively to maintaining cellular health as well as strong immune defense. Glucaric acid present prevents several types of cancer that include pancreatic, colon, as well as breast cancer.
RELIEVES ARTHRITIS PAIN
Kombucha contains glucosamines which are beneficial in the prevention and Homeopathy treatment of arthritis. Glucosamine present in it does stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid, which helps in the maintenance of cartilage structure and does provide relief from the pain associated with arthritis.
ENHANCES MOOD
Kombucha contains a variety of amino acids, methylxanthine alkaloids (caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and B vitamins (which includes B1, B6, B9, and B12), which are required for a healthy nervous system. This does help in inhibiting the release of the stress hormone cortisol, battling depression, balancing mood, and also enhancing concentration. Regular consumption of this tea can indeed help one overcome sleep disorders. It promotes mental health.
BOOSTS IMMUNITY
Kombucha is rich in numerous antioxidants that do strengthen the immune defense and boost the energy levels of one’s body. The anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of this tea do help in fighting various bacterial and viral infections. It helps boost the immune system.
ANTI-MICROBIAL EFFECTS
Kombucha tea has anti-microbial properties which may also prove effective against a variety of pathogens. Apart from acetic acid, it contains other anti-microbial components, which even at neutral values of pH, to provide protection against a range of microorganisms including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis, Escherichia Coli, Salmonella enteriditis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogens, and Helicobacter pylori.
TREATS ASTHMA
The theophylline in kombucha is popular as a bronchodilator, which rather helps control chronic asthma caused due to it’s anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and bronchoprotective effects.
HEALS GASTRIC ULCERS
Kombucha provides relief from gastric ulcerations. The antioxidants and phenols decrease gastric tissues and also decrease the secretion of excess gastric acids.
IMPROVES CELLULAR HEALTH
Kombucha helps in maintaining cellular health which is vital for the healthy functioning of the body.
OTHER USES
Kombucha drink indeed has a revitalizing effect which does help retain the natural color of the hair, and keeps the skin firm and also improves the feeling of overall health as well as vigor. It is an effective wound healer, which is also known to improve eyesight. Apart from such health benefits kombucha culture can also be utilized to manufacture artificial leather.