Kombucha, known for being the new trendy tea, is a naturally carbonated drink composed of yeast, sugar and fermented tea. Kombucha is everywhere from the supermarket to our workplace fridge. It is rich in antioxidants and probiotics, which can benefit your gut, heart and brain. Let’s examine some health and wellness benefits with adding Kombucha into your life!
Nutrition Facts based on Kombucha’s 16-ounce bottle
- 60 calories
- 20 milligrams sodium
- 14 grams carbohydrate
- 4 grams of sugar
- 200 micrograms folic acid (50% DV)
- 0.68 grams riboflavin/vitamin B2 (40% DV)
- 0.8 milligrams vitamin B6 (40% DV)
- 0.6 milligrams thiamine/Vitamin B1 (40% DV)
- 8 milligrams niacin/Vitamin B3 (40% DV)
- 2.4 micrograms vitamin B12 (40% DV)
Probiotics/Digestion
Kombucha is known to originate in China about 2,000 years ago. Kombucha is created by adding certain strains of yeast, sugar and bacteria to green or black tea. It is then fermented for weeks. Natural fermentation allows foods or drinks to gain probiotic properties. During the fermenting process the yeast and bacteria go through a mushroom stasis forming a film along the surface of the liquid. This process has given this probiotic drink the name of “mushroom tea”. The fermentation also produces acetic acid (found in vinegar) which has traces of gases and alcohol that make this drink carbonated. The number of bacteria that can grow in this mixture is vast. One of the species of bacteria that can grow is lactic-acid bacteria which has been known to provide healthy probiotic functions. Having probiotic factors can provide the gut with healthy bacteria. It can also improve inflammation and digestion.
Pasteurized vs. Unpasteurized
Pasteurized foods have a type of heat element involved to extend shelf life or eliminate unwanted pathogens. This is not always a beneficial scenario for kombucha because during the pasteurization cycle it will kill yeast and the probiotic bacteria that help aid in promoting gut health. This process leaves the product denatured having few health benefits and essentially taking the essence of tea.