What are the benefits of kombucha?

The Benefits of Drinking Kombucha

Consumers are drinking more beverages with health benefits. Why?

FACTS:
• Approximately 80% of our immune system tissue are contained in our gut, according to the Institute for Health Sciences.
• 60-70 million Americans suffered from digestive disease in 2004 costing more than $141.8 billion dollars according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF KOMBUCHA

For thousands of years, people have been consuming kombucha as a health tonic or elixir. It has been nicknamed the "Elixir of Immortality" as well as several other names that would suggest an abundance of health benefits.

Some people drink kombucha in modern times for its refreshing and unique taste. Others drink it for the way it makes them feel. Some drink it for its purported health benefits. What benefits you say? Let's take a look at what various sources are saying today.

What are the benefits of drinking kombucha?

BENEFITS OF KOMBUCHA

1. PROBIOTICS
Probiotics are present in raw, live, unpasteurized, fermented foods including kombucha and water kefir. Probiotics are consumed to help increase the amount of good bacteria in your gut. An abundance of new research links consumption of fermented foods with overall body and brain health. There are also many books available discussing this research, including "Brain Maker: The Power of Gut Microbes".

2. DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Probably the #1 reason most people drink kombucha is because it may help your digestive system. 

3. MAY BE LOW IN SUGAR AND CALORIES
Kombucha can be low in calories, but it all depends on how it is fermented, and what's been added to the bottle after fermentation. Seattle Kombucha™ is made to be low in sugar and calories to support a healthier, low sugar diet.

AND... Not all probiotic products are the same. Check your labels. Many supposedly healthy products are full of unnecessary sugar, calories or artificial sweeteners.

4. ANTIOXIDANTS
Most kombucha is made from fermented green and/or black tea which is rich in polyphenols, which are a type of antioxidant. Antioxidants help prevent or stop cell damage caused by oxidants. “Oxidants are free radicals that you find in the environment, but they're also produced naturally in your body,” says Diane McKay, Ph.D., an assistant professor and researcher at Tufts University'sAntioxidants Research Laboratory.

5. ORGANIC ACIDS
Kombucha is rich in various organic acids that may help your body support healthy liver and kidney function. Several beneficial acids may or may not be present in kombucha. It all depends on what type are present in the kombucha culture your kombucha is made from. Common beneficial acids include: malic acid, oxalic acid, nucleic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, and gluconic acid. More research is being conducted and published about organic acids regularly as more people become interested in kombucha.

6. GLUTEN FREE
Most Kombucha tends to be gluten free - But check the label to be sure. There are some new kombucha beers available that may contain gluten. Check the label.

7. B VITAMINS
Kombucha contains B Vitamins in living form. They come from the yeast present in the brew. How much B Vitamins are actually in the bottle depends on the ingredients used and how it's processed.

8. BENEFITS OF TEA AND OTHER INGREDIENTS
Some kombucha has the beneficial properties of the various teas, fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices that make up the kombucha. Like elderberries, blueberries, ginger, turmeric, etc. The amount of benefit depends on how much is actually present in the bottle, the quality of the ingredients and how it was processed.

9. BIOAVAILABILITY
The process of fermentation may make naturally occurring nutrients more bioavailable, meaning that the nutrients are more able to be digested and used by the cells in your body instead of just 'passing through'.

10. SUGAR and ALCOHOL CRAVINGS
Many people claim that kombucha helps reduce their cravings for sugar and/or alchohol.

NOTE: Results vary, and not everyone experiences the same effects or benefits from eating the same foods.  As more people consume kombucha, the number of scientific studies that investigate the various benefits and health claims of consuming kombucha will become more common.

We will keep this page updated with new information as it becomes available to us. If you have any health related questions, please consult your doctor. If you have any new information to contribute to this page, please email us at orders@seattlekombucha.com

TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH KOMBUCHA, PLEASE COMMENT BELOW:

SOURCES:
http://www.uaf.edu/chc/community-resources/educational-resources/DD_DigestiveDisease_Stats_FS.pdf

https://instituteofhealthsciences.com/probiotics-help-immune-system-in-your-gi-tract/