Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage that’s pumped with powerful, live probiotics. This organic and vegan drink is being marketed as a new gut-cleaning health trend, but what are the real health benefits of kombucha? In this article, we uncover the pros and cons of drinking kombucha.
What are the Pros and Cons of Kombucha?
Before you twist open that top, read these helpful Kombucha pros and cons below to determine if this popular health beverage is a hit or a miss for your wellness goals.
What are the Pros of Drinking Kombucha?
- Immune system booster
- Healthier beverage option
- Good bacteria (SCOBY)
- Natural detoxifier
- Rich in Vitamin B
Available in Several Flavors
Ginger, guava, pineapple peach, and apple cider are some of the many Kombucha drink flavors available at your local grocery store. Bursting with bubbles, Kombucha beverages are lightly carbonated and unlike soda, they often contain as little as 35 calories per bottle.
What is kombucha?
Kombucha, the key ingredient of this fermented drink, is a live probiotic infused into the sweet tea concoction that propels many of its health properties.
Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast, or SCOBY is the yeast culture that sparks the fermentation process. Studies have proven that drinking four ounces of kombucha daily can significantly improve your health, detoxify your body and reduce liver toxicity by about 70%.
Like green tea, kombucha tea is rich in Vitamin B and packed with powerful antioxidants that boost your immune system and make it easier to ward off colds and harmful bacteria.
What are the Cons of Drinking Kombucha?
- Highly acidic
- May cause side effects
- May contain heavy metals
- Contains sugar
- May contain alcohol
- An acquired taste
Now that you’re aware of the many benefits, it’s time for a dosage of reality – the cons of Kombucha.
Acidic
Although it is an alkaline-forming food, Kombucha is very acidic. Studies have shown that intake exceeding 4 oz daily may cause mild symptoms, like bloating and gas, or lactic acidosis – a medical condition where excessive acid builds in your bloodstream.
Alcohol
During the fermentation process, alcohol levels in Kombucha can rise anywhere from two to five percent, which is why some brews also require a valid 21+ ID to purchase.
Metals
If your health goal is to expel heavy metals from your body, you should know that the beverage may contain a small amount of lead, copper, or chromium.
Sugar
You can’t mention kombucha’s pros and cons without addressing the high amounts of sugar used to make this fermented sweet tea. Although the production requires large amounts of sugar, it is only used to nourish the culture found in kombucha which provides great benefits. In fact, the longer the beverage is fermented, the lower the sugar levels.
Is Kombucha Healthy?
Yes, kombucha is a much healthier alternative to soda. However, the taste will often resemble apple cider vinegar way more than cola. Is this a sacrifice you’re willing to make for a healthy gut and a more nutritious lifestyle? The choice is yours.
Kombucha is one of the fastest-growing health beverages on the market and it is expected to grow into a 1.8 billion-dollar industry by the year 2020. Knowing is beautiful and these helpful kombucha pros and cons will help make this health decision an easy one.
What can Fortress Nutrition LLC do for you?
Rest assured that you’re in good hands with Fortress Nutrition. To learn more about how we tailor our blending, ingredient sourcing, logistics, consumer packaging, and other services to meet customer needs, and find out how we can partner with you to ensure compliance with new GMO laws, contact us today.