Whether you call it 'booch, fizzy tea, or mushroom tea, you're not alone if you're crushing on kombucha. With its tangy fermented taste, refreshing fizz, and purported health perks, kombucha has skyrocketed to supermarket fame over the past few years. While there's no denying the drink can be downright delicious, you might be wondering if it really deserves all the hype and whether it's really as healthy as everyone seems to believe. Here's the lowdown on the benefits of kombucha, including an answer to the ever-pressing question, "Is kombucha actually good for you?"
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00:00 My name is Kayla Jeter, and if there's one thing I've learned from being a fitness coach,
00:04 it's that everyone's wellness process and goals are different.
00:07 So no matter where you are in your fitness journey, we wanted to provide you with some
00:11 info that can help you along the way.
00:17 Maybe you've seen kombucha bottles lining the shelves of your grocery store and wondered,
00:21 "What's up with this fermented, fizzy beverage?"
00:24 If you want a refreshing drink packed with flavor, kombucha is a delicious and health-conscious
00:28 option.
00:29 But it also has some health benefits you may not have heard of.
00:32 Here to share more with us today is registered dietitian Bridgette Zeitlin.
00:36 Thanks Kayla.
00:37 Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage that's typically sweetened with fruit juice.
00:41 It's made from just a handful of ingredients like water, tea leaves, fruit juice, or another
00:47 sweetener, and SCOBY, which are symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast.
00:52 The SCOBY ferments the beverage for up to a month, and it not only introduces good gut-friendly
00:59 bacteria, but it also absorbs a good amount of sugar.
01:03 Kombucha can be enjoyed in several different ways, either raw, pasteurized, or alcoholic.
01:08 And if you're feeling crafty, you can even make your own at home.
01:12 While kombucha's individual ingredients have clear health benefits, there aren't
01:16 many studies that scientifically confirm them for kombucha.
01:20 Here's what we do know about how kombucha might impact your health.
01:24 Number one, kombucha's main health benefits are the probiotics they contain.
01:30 Probiotics are known as the good gut bacteria in your gut, which helps to improve your gut
01:34 health and support your good digestion.
01:37 Number two, because kombucha contains black and green tea, two great sources of antioxidants,
01:44 kombucha may also offer up some good antioxidants, which can help ward off illnesses.
01:49 The antioxidants in black tea have been shown to help lower blood sugar and help prevent
01:55 kidney stones.
01:56 Number three, finally, as kombucha does contain green tea, it can be a very tasty way to get
02:02 in some of the anti-inflammatory mega benefits of green tea into your life in a fizzy and
02:08 fun way.
02:10 A few things to keep in mind, if you are following a low histamine diet, you should avoid kombucha.
02:17 And if carbonated drinks upset your stomach, you will want to pass on this beverage as
02:21 well.
02:22 An important thing to remember is that all store-bought kombuchas are high in sugar.
02:26 So be mindful of how many you drink overall, and if you can keep it to just half a portion
02:31 size per day, that is ideal.
02:34 It is also acidic, so if you have acid reflux, this drink may not be for you either.
02:39 If kombucha does sit well with you, or you are looking to give it a try, then enjoy this
02:45 fizzy drink before 3 p.m. as the caffeine that the green or black tea contains can affect
02:51 your sleep cycles.
02:52 Thanks, Bridget!
02:53 Want some more tips?
02:55 Head on over to Shape.com and learn more about Good Eats and more.
02:59 See you next time!
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