Have you ever tried kombucha? Do you remember your first taste? I do! I can’t say I liked it. It reminds me of your first taste of beer or even your first taste of some veggies. Can you honestly say you liked it?
I like giving newbies a “taste” and watching their face once they do. Some will never try it again, but some realize the benefits and suck it up buttercup; it is good for you. It does taste a bit like vinegar, so beware if it’s your first time. However, there are so many flavored varieties now, you’ll probably like it the first time to try it.
When I first started drinking kombucha, you were lucky if you could even find it and if you did, your only flavor choice was original or ginger. Now there are dozens of flavors and companies trying to dominate the market.
What exactly is kombucha? It started in China over 2,000 years ago. It is a fermented tea, usually black, made from a ‘scoby’ which is a live bacteria. I know it sounds gross. Mmmmmm, please pass me a glass of bacteria! It’s also made with sugar and yeast. The yeast in the scoby breaks down the sugar creating the bacteria – probiotic. What does scoby stand for = symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast.
I had been reading up on the many benefits of drinking this health tea, so I continued on my buch journey. Today, it’s a daily ritual for me. I actually get excited knowing I get to relax with my bottle of kombucha.
What Exactly Are The Benefits?
- Aids in digestion – Medical News Today has some terrific information and links to follow on the studies. I would encourage you to check out their article.
- Gut health causing a domino effect; less sickness, inflammation, and overall stronger immune system
- Daily dose of probiotics – this is one of the main reasons I drink kombucha
- Studies have led to cancer fighting properties – I don’t think it’s a cure all, but it’s something any way.
- Helps the liver detoxify from the antioxidants kombucha carries
- Decreases depression – Depression a lot of times can be caused by poor gut health and inflammation in the body. Therefore, if you are working on your overall health, this will be a side effect; less depression!
- Glass bottles. I love glass bottles for the obvious, less plastic. But I also like them because I can wash them and reuse them. I fill them up with water or any other type of drink, especially when I’m on the go.
What Are The Downsides?
If you don’t have a flourishing gut biome to begin with, it’s possible you will be flushing money down the drain. People usually assume they should start eating fermented foods to improve gut health. Wrong.
Kombucha has good bacteria, but it also hosts bad bacteria during the fermentation process. So what that means basically is you could be feeding the bad bacteria/yeast as well as not benefitting your body like you thought you were, but aiding in the bad bacteria’s survival. We want to kill off those suckers, not help them live!
You should avoid eating or drinking any fermented foods until you have restored your gut health. I don’t know a lot about this, just enough to be dangerous. I know you will want to start taking an appropriate probiotic and possibly something with an antifungal property. They can work together.
Do a little research on what you pick. If you take them both in the same day, try not to take them at the same time. This article says to take the antifungal for a couple weeks first, and then start your probiotic. It gives some good information on what to look for. I took a few doses of a product that was prescribed from my naturopath and I loved taking it oddly enough. You can find some good brands at your local health foods store. I really like a good oregano oil. Remember, this will start killing off your “bad” bugs, so you will have flu like symptoms. This is very normal and a good sign it is working.
One thing I didn’t realize is you shouldn’t drink a whole bottle at once. Studies have shown that you should only drink four ounces at a time, up to three times a day. That’s around 12 ounces. If you drink too much at once, evidentially it can cause too much acid in your system causing the opposite of what you want. GI distress! It causes nausea, headaches, etc. I guess I better lay off a little bit.
Because kombucha is an acidic drink, be careful to rinse your teeth after you drink it and probably not with red wine 😉
Home Brew
Now that you feel like you know a little about kombucha, or a lot, let’s talk about home brewing your own. If you are thinking about making kombucha at home, there are risks.
Kombucha can ferment too long. It can become contaminated. Let’s just think about this for a moment. You’re about to drink something that you’ve grown with bacteria. Based on that thought alone, I’d have to think twice.
All kidding aside, it can be dangerous to make your own batch. It can get moldy or grow the kind of bacteria you don’t want. However, if you want to try it, Dr. Axe gives some good general direction on how to start, as well as many other benefits and details about kombucha. To read the directions, click here.
This is the SCOBY. It looks gross!
I haven’t tried to make it myself because honestly I’m too scared, but I know several people that have and talked to them all about their experiences. Not one of them have continued to make it at home. My dad made it for awhile (and it was very tasty), but what he found was he was forcing himself to drink it because you have to keep the scoby alive in order to start your next batch. He still drinks it, but will only buy it now. The best way to store kombucha is in glass bottles like the ones my dad used below.
Fermenting
Finished Product
Cocktail Idea
Something I like to do is mix the blueberry basil kombucha with some ice, a little vodka, and fresh mint, basil, and blueberries. This is the most refreshing cocktail for an evening with friends.
The jury is still out on how beneficial kombucha is to your overall health, if any, however, I’m going to take my chances. I enjoy drinking it and if I get extra benefits, that’s only a plus for me. Overall, the FDA approves drinking store bought kombucha, but reconsider if you’re pregnant and make sure to do your research beforehand. If all cleared, bottoms up.
The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of just live joy. We are not doctors and don’t claim to be. Always check with your health care provider for your best care prior to taking this or any supplements or medications. No information on this site should be relied upon to make a medical diagnosis, prevent, cure, or determine treatment for a condition. By reading this, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own health decisions and that it is your responsibility to consult with your doctor about any health issues, supplements, or anything related to your own health. Stay healthy and happy. Thank you!