The popularity of Kombucha has now reached the West as well. The fermented tea-based drink, known for its health benefits, was born in China centuries ago and has traveled the world gaining more and more acclaim.
Everywhere we talk about Kombucha: benefits, risks and properties are a topic of conversation even in the family and among friends. Nobody wants to miss the opportunity to integrate it into their diet so that it is balanced, providing the body with the right amount of healthy elements to help it carry out its daily functions.
In fact, Kombucha has incredible qualities that make it a sought-after drink for all age groups. Children adore its taste between sweet and fizzy; adults enhance its healthy organoleptic properties; the elderly trust in its benefits which are reflected in the functions of the organism. Even animals love to drink small amounts of Kombucha on hot summer days in the company of their owners.
There is a lot of talk about these benefits: but what exactly are they? Today we want to describe them accurately, but not before having clarified some basic concepts about Kombucha that will help you understand the reason for its worldwide fame.
But let's not waste any more time and focus our attention on our tea-based product, specifying right away that it is a unique drink, which has very few things in common with classic tea.
Kombucha tea or classic tea? Let's find out the differences
If you are still convinced that Kombucha and tea are the same thing, the time has come to clarify once and for all. The drink coming from the eastern lands is still unknown to many and for this reason it is still confused and identified with our classic infusions.
Let's start from the assumption that Kombucha is not a tea but a tea-based drink, from which it differs not only for the preparation but also and above all for the taste.
So how is kombucha made? Here are the steps to follow, which clearly show that the two drinks have only the first step in common, but then take two different paths.
Kombucha is usually prepared using these ingredients: sugar, cold water, black or green tea (both in bags and loose leaves can be used), and finally Scoby, the special ingredient used to start the fermentation and can buy online. For the uninitiated, scoby is a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast.
And here we are at the first step, the only one that closely resembles the preparation of tea that we know well. The tea is placed in the previously boiled water and then the infusion is left to cool before adding the scoby. From this moment the Kombucha begins the second phase, called fermentation, which will last for at least a week. This mixture must absolutely be kept in an airtight container, perhaps by adding a little more sugar.
Curiosity: if you leave it longer in this phase it will be even more sparkling. At this point the Kombucha is ready: it can be enjoyed plain or add various spices.
Kombucha benefits and properties to always stay fit
The properties and benefits of Kombucha they are its strong point and that detail that makes it one of the most popular international drinks by adults and children alike. For centuries we have been talking about its incredible benefits that manage to facilitate the functionality of the body and improve the lifestyle.
The question that arises is: Kombucha, real benefits or utopia?
According to scholars, who have analyzed its organoleptic characteristics, it improves digestion, eliminates toxins and increases energy and vitality. But that's not all: it seems to have the power to strengthen the immune system, help in case of high blood pressure and heart disease. It also helps to lose weight because it stimulates the metabolism.
Its best known advantages are three:
- Helps digestion thanks to the action of its probiotics.
- It has an antioxidant function and is rich in vitamins and mineral salts.
- It is classified as an antifungal and antibacterial.
Here are three good reasons to sip it daily.
1. Cure for bacterial flora
Kombucha aids in digestion due to its fermentation process. In fact, it is in this step that it produces probiotics, which are very useful in rebalancing the bacterial flora. Thanks to its probiotic properties, the drink is a panacea in cases of diarrhea and intestinal irritability problems.
Like all fermented foods, such as yogurt or kefir, Kombucha produces a set of live microorganisms which serve to regulate the activity of the bacteria present in the intestine and thus facilitate digestion.
But be careful: not all Kambucha varieties contain the same number of probiotics and therefore they have the same beneficial action. It all depends on the fermentation and its duration. This is why Kombucha is considered a unique drink both in terms of flavor but also in terms of its properties, more or less intense depending on its fermentation.
And it didn't end there. Kombucha also plays an important role in strengthening the defenses of the immune system.
2. Antioxidant function that benefits all ages
The second benefit of Kombucha is its antioxidant action. But concretely, what are oxidants for?
These are substances that protect the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals and which can be harmful to health. Some drinks (and even some foods) are natural antioxidants. Among these are, for example, pomegranate, avocado and even green tea, which is particularly suitable for preparing Kombucha.
In fact, thanks to the combined action of substances such as polyphenols, it is possible to protect the cells and fight free radicals which cause aging and also alterations in the metabolism.
Excellent as a remedy against advancing age, don't you think?
Yet, Kombucha still knows how to amaze us with its benefits on our body. In fact, we know well that it is also rich in vitamins and mineral salts, especially vitamin C and the B group of vitamins (B1, B6 and B12).
3. Antifungal and antimicrobial action
Another benefit of Kombucha is its antimicrobial and antifungal action.
In-depth studies have found that the drink contains various metabolites that carry out an antimicrobial action. These include, for example, organic acids, such as acetic acid, catechins and various antibiotic substances.
After constantly taking Kombucha tea, a natural ability to inhibit the formation of pathogenic bacteria of the digestive system develops, which can cause intestinal problems, ulcers and diarrhea. But this ability also helps fight and prevent salmonella and staphylococcus.
The acetic acid we mentioned earlier is also ideal for its antifungal function. For this reason, Kombucha is very useful if you want to protect yourself from infections caused by fungi, due to its effectiveness against different types of yeasts.
Where to find Kombucha? Some useful advice
So have you understood the natural and healthy power of Kombucha? Clear benefits are the basis of its success, to which are added a series of considerations that further enhance its importance for improving one's lifestyle.
In fact, it is said that it is also capable of helping with cardiovascular problems, improving the quality of sleep, preventing the risk of infections and relieving the discomfort associated with osteoarthritis.
So, all you have to do is figure out how to start benefiting from Kombucha right away. Where to buy it? Herbalists, authorized dealers and of course web stores: here's where you can easily find Kombucha in all its variations.
THE best products with Kombucha they are now within everyone's reach and really satisfy all taste requirements. Furthermore, many shops also allow you to buy the practical preparation kit to do it directly at home.
Kombucha contraindications: what you need to know in order not to take risks
Does the elixir of life whose three most important benefits we have listed have any health risks or is it really a cure for all ills? Those who want to know if there are contraindications are answered by science, which has so far labeled Kombucha as a healthy drink.
Naturally, in some situations precautions must be taken: for example in diabetics, children and pregnant women. For all the others, the advice is only to not abuse it and not to consider it as an alternative to drugs.
Can its original and overwhelming taste cause addiction? There is no evidence to prove it, but what is certain is that drinking too much Kombucha is not really good for you because it could cause stomach bloating, raise blood sugar levels and provide excessive calorie content.
Therefore it is always advisable to drink this drink in moderation and without exceeding the recommended quantities.
Finally, to avoid toxicity it is advisable to pay attention to do-it-yourself preparations, taking care to sterilize and sanitize each utensil well (including the jar!) and start fermentation in the appropriate way.
If you want to focus on your health, then it's time to try Kombucha in all its versions and take care of your body naturally.
