Healthy Skin With Kombucha Tea
The wish to have a healthy and glowing skin is everybodyâs dream. Both men and women try many things to have a healthy skin be it the expensive skin care products or the spa treatments to improve the skinâs health.
The best natural way to have a healthy skin is with the help of Kombucha tea. This is another one of the most preferred health benefits of kombucha tea.
Kombucha tea contains a high amount of vitamin C, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. These qualities help in improving the overall texture of the skin as well as aid in preventing the skin from an infection such as pimples, breakouts or rashes.
An everyday consumption of a cup of Kombucha tea is highly recommended to maintain a naturally healthy and glowing skin.
So now that you have gained an in-depth knowledge about the many surprising and amazing health benefits of Kombucha tea donât forget to include it in your staple diet.
Home remedies are natureâs answer to the many health concerns. We often ignore the need to try a few home remedies and instead opt for the over the counter drugs to combat health concerns.
What we forget is the power of natural ingredients that are highly capable of treating any health concern like here it was the amazing Kombucha tea that can treat many health concerns.
So the next time you think of buying medications give the Kombucha tea a must try and you wonât be disappointed.
Strengthen Your Joints With Kombucha Tea
Yes, you read that right!
Kombucha tea is packed with the glucuronic acid and this acid, when consumed, is converted by the body into glycoproteins, glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate. These properties are known to build the collage or the fluid that lubricates the joints and strengthens it.
According to many scientific studies conducted on the amazing health benefits of kombucha tea it has been proven that Kombucha tea can even prevent and treat arthritis.
So try to follow a diet of including a cup of Kombucha tea to strengthen your joints!
How Do You Make Kombucha
Kombucha is usually made using:
- Black or green tea
- Scoby purchased online, or from an existing batch of kombucha
To make kombucha, the tea and sugar is steeped in boiled water and left to cool before adding the scoby. This is covered and left to ferment for up to a week. The mixture is then poured into an airtight container with some extra sugar and left for a few more days the longer it is left, the fizzier it will become. At this point, flavourings such as spices or fruit, can be added.
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Origin Of Kombucha Tea
Kombucha tea has been around for many decades now. It was first discovered in China in the third century B.C. Years after it was widely found in India, Japan, and Russia. Now decades later the Kombucha tea is consumed popularly all across the globe.
Now for those who have no clue about what exactly is the Kombucha tea, it is basically a tea produced with the fermentation procedure. The fermented tea along with bacteria and yeasts is mixed with sugar to form the Kombucha tea.
Before we move on with the multiple benefits of the Kombucha tea let us first gain some knowledge about how to prepare it.
History Of Kombucha Tea
Kombucha has an interesting history and is not just a fad of the 80s revived for the new millennium. It is much more than that.
The earliest recorded consumption of Kombucha tea dates back to the Chinese Tsin Dynasty of 221 BC in Manchuria, where Emperors believed it to be a holy medicine, referring to it as The elixir of long life.
Japanese warriors carried Kombucha tea in their hip flasks to replenish their energy during battle.
As trade routes developed beyond the Far East, Kombucha spread via travelers and traders to India, Russia, and Eastern Europe, arriving in Germany around the turn of the 20th Century.
Throughout Europe, this tasty and replenishing beverage was enjoyed until World War One broke out and, with it, the rationing of the two fundamental ingredients for metabolizing Kombucha tea and sugar.
Today, the tea is experiencing a further phenomenal resurgence of notoriety worldwide.
Hollywood stars and celebs such as Madonna, Cher, Martin Landau, Meg Ryan, and Susan Sarandon, all declare to enjoy the wonder drink.
Kombucha has a high concentration of beneficial acids that serve to cleanse the blood of disease-causing toxins.
It aids the body in the broad healing spectrum of ailments and conditions from mild health issues to severe diseases.
In 1944, Hans Irion, Director of the Academy for Chemists in Braunschweig, Germany, proclaimed that kombucha invigorates the entire glandular system.
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A Final Word On Kombucha Benefits
Theres limited research confirming the health benefits of kombucha. But the drink has increased in popularity, with many people using it to improve their gut health and relieve other conditions, like depression, constipation, and inflammation.
Although it is popular, kombucha isnt for everyone. If youre pregnant, take medication, or have an existing medical condition, talk to your doctor to make sure kombucha is safe for you.
Is It Safe To Drink Kombucha Regularly
Nutrition experts say its fine for most people to sip on kombucha every day, but to check with your doctor if youre unsure about drinking it. Some recommend that pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with compromised immune systems should stay away from kombucha because the drinks live bacteria could be harmful.
When you are pregnant or you are in an immunocompromised condition, those live bacteria can get into your blood, causing disease, Li says. Its almost the same as when we tell a pregnant woman and immunocompromised patient dont eat raw fish. Thats the same concern.
Be mindful of how much you drink, too. Some people may not tolerate large amounts of kombucha right away, Zamarripa says. Start by drinking 4 ounces or less per day, and increase the volume based on your tolerance.
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Antimicrobial Effect Of Kombucha
It may sound contradictory, given that it is a probiotic, but it indeed has powerful antibacterial properties.
The fermentation process yields acetic acid.
This acid is toxic to several species of pathogenic bacteria but relatively harmless to the good bacteria.
The introduction of a culture of good bacteria also serves to eliminate harmful bacteria.
Kombucha tea is, therefore, very effective in preventing and also treating bacterial infections in the gastrointestinal tract.
A study by a Netherland based food and research institute proved that kombucha is indeed antibacterial against E. coli, Staphylococcus, Shigella, and Campylobacter jejuni.
These are the most common bacteria that invade the gut and cause diarrheal illnesses.
Pregnancy And Breastfeeding Woes
There is insufficient information regarding the safety of this drink for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Hence, it is better to stay away from kombucha during this phase of your life to avoid unnecessary complications.
In A Nutshell
The 2,000-year-old kombucha tea has many nicknames the Chinese call it the Magical Elixir or Drink of Immortality, the Japanese went scientific by naming it after the microbes , and the Tibetans added a bit of supernatural fantasy and aliens to the kombucha story.
However it came into the picture, the benefits it bestows are undoubtedly mind-blowing.
After reading all your way here, Im sure you would agree with me. But like most things, kombucha is not a magic bullet that will cure all diseases. However, it does have some compelling health benefits.
So, hurry up and get yourself some authentic, good-quality scoby discs and start your own little brewery!
If you have successfully made a batch of kombucha after reading this, or at least tried it at a store, please share your feedback along with the first three words that came to your mind.
Wed love to hear from you, as always. Do write your comments, suggestions, and quirky kombucha recipes or stories in the box below.
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The Scoby: A Colony Of Microbes
The SCOBY, or Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast, is the collection of microbes responsible for turning sweet tea into a probiotic beverage. Essentially, it is a living colony of beneficial organisms that turn sugar into healthful acids and probiotics.
SCOBYs;are often called Mushrooms;and are the reason Kombucha is sometimes called Mushroom Tea. On a practical level, a SCOBY is an unattractive rubbery disc that covers the surface of the brewing liquid to seal it off from the air. This allows fermentation to happen in an anaerobic environment.
You may also hear a SCOBY called The Mother as it is the parent culture that creates the tea. During the brewing process, the SCOBY also often creates a baby or secondary culture on top of itself, which can then be used to brew other batches.
If properly taken care of, a SCOBY can last for many years. In fact, I know a couple of families that have generations-old strains of SCOBYs that have made many babies over the years.
Kombucha May Help Manage Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects over 300 million people worldwide. It is characterized by high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance.
A study in diabetic rats found that kombucha slowed down the digestion of carbs, which reduced blood sugar levels. It also improved liver and kidney function .
Kombucha made from green tea is likely to be even more beneficial, as green tea itself has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels .
In fact, a review study of almost 300,000 individuals found that green tea drinkers had an 18% lower risk of becoming diabetic (
Further human studies are needed to investigate the benefits of kombucha for blood sugar control.
Summary Kombucha improved several markers of diabetes in rats, including blood sugar levels.
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It Could Be Good For Your Blood Sugar
There arent extensive studies on the effect drinking kombucha tea has on humans with diabetes.
However, a study on diabetic rats found that kombucha slowed the digestion of carbohydrates by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down carbs, therefore reducing blood sugar levels.
Kombucha made with green tea may be especially helpful for blood sugar regulation because green tea has already been found to lower blood sugar and insulin levels.
Is Kombucha Safe For Everyone
Kombucha is classified as a functional food because of its potentially beneficial effect, when enjoyed as part of a varied and;balanced diet; however, it may not be suitable for all people and there may be some risks.
Kombucha is not advised for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those who have a compromised immune system. It is important to reiterate that there havent been many human clinical studies to prove its safety and efficacy. There have been some reports that drinking too much can lead to unpleasant side effects, such as;stomach ache, nausea and dizziness. Prolonged fermentation is not recommended because of the accumulation of organic acids, which might reach harmful levels.
Fermented foods, including kombucha, are high in histamine, so those with a histamine intolerance should be wary that consuming kombucha may exacerbate symptoms.
Always check with your GP if you are concerned about introducing kombucha to your diet, or if you have any adverse side effects after consuming it.
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What Are The Health Benefits Of Kombucha Tea
The health benefits of kombucha tea include;
1. Hydration
Drinking Kombucha is one way of keeping you hydrated. Sipping a minimum of 8 to 12 ounces of kombucha day can help you to meet your hydration needs.
2. Diabetes management
Type 2 diabetes affects over 300 million people in the world. This is due to insulin resistance and high blood sugar. Most beverages such as sports drinks, juice, matcha tea, and coffee contain added sugar.
However, a 16-ounce bottle of GTs Kombucha for example contains 4 grams of sugar compared to 28 grams in the same-size of Starbucks Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte. Therefore, taking kombucha will help you cut back on sugar for better blood sugar levels.
3. A good source of antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that support healthy cell function. They fight free radicals and reactive molecules that damage body cells. Research shows that antioxidants fight a variety of diseases including cancer, arthritis, stroke, and more, which boosts overall health.
4. May reduce heart disease
According to animal studies, kombucha can greatly improve two markers of heart disease, bad LDL and good HDL cholesterol, in as few as 30 days. Also, green tea in Kombucha protects LDL cholesterol particles from oxidation, which is thought to contribute to heart disease.
5. Protection against cancer
6. Good for gut health
7. Fights bacteria
8. Weight loss
We also have an interesting article about the herbs for weight loss, get it here.
8. Liver health
How To Start Drinking Fermented Beverages
Kombucha is a wonderful addition to a healthy diet. One word of warning is to go slow when you first start drinking it. This advice is the same for any other fermented beverage like;water kefir;or;beet kvass. The probiotic infusion can sometimes cause loose stools or other mild symptoms for a day or two.
Start with just a couple of ounces a day. Over the span of about a week, build up to a maximum of 8-12 oz daily. This drink is very cleansing and helpful to the body, but overdoing it at the beginning can give you a bit of a headache or other;detox symptoms, so go easy!
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Natural Detoxification And Liver Support
The liver is one of the bodys main detoxification organs. Kombucha is high in Glucaric acid, which is beneficial to the liver and aids its natural detoxification.
As Kombucha also supports healthy gut bacteria and digestion, it helps the body assimilate food more easily and provides quick and easy energy without caffeine.
Are There Benefits To Drinking Kombucha
If by benefits you mean being wildly popular and sometimes unpredictably alcoholic, then yes.
Kombucha is a fermented food, much like cultured yogurt, cheese, kefir, kimchi and sauerkraut. Traditionally a carbonated drink with live micro-organisms, kombucha is made by brewing together sugar, black or green tea, liquid from a previous batch and the Scoby, short for symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast .
The tea of immortality has come a long way from its reported beginning in China more than 2,000 years ago. It has evolved into a $475 million industry in the United States, nearly quadrupling in the previous four years, according to Nielsen. Booch, as its known, flows at megastores, coffeehouses and workplaces; and in bars in a more boozy form, with enough alcohol to rival an I.P.A.
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What Is Kombucha And How Does It Work
This soft drink is a fermented beverage comprised of sugar, black tea, and filtered water and used primarily for its probiotic functions.
The sugar used in the fermentation process can be extracted from honey, fruit, or sugarcane.
It consists of a colony of yeast and bacteria that, once combined with sugar, help initiate the fermentation process.
The sugar is converted into acetic acid and ethanol and is what gives this type of tea its distinctive sour taste.
After fermentation, the beverage becomes a carbonated probiotic drink and contains vitamins and several other probiotic enzymes.
It May Be Good For Your Gut Health
The fermentation process can produce probiotics. These are live bacteria and yeasts that can benefit the digestive tract and have other potential positive impacts on health.
Probiotics are healthy bacteria, which are important for healthy digestion.
Some people like to consume probiotics when they have to take a course of antibiotics. However, this can kill the healthy bacteria in your gut when it targets the bad bacteria.When your gut bacteria become unbalanced, you may experience constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, unintentional weight loss, or weight gain.
Certain chronic health conditions may be partly due to an imbalance in gut bacteria.
This includes autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disorders.Not all fermented food contains probiotics, such as wine and beer. However, certain kinds of kombucha tea can contain probiotics from the lactic acid bacteria.
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Kombucha Is Packed With Probiotics
;It is believed that Kombucha originated in either China or Japan and while the creators of it probably did not know about probiotics, they were certainly getting the benefits. Kombucha is created by using green or black tea and introducing a symbiotic culture of bacteria and years or SCOBY to an airtight jar. To find more ways of using Kombucha tea, you can explore right here.
Then, you allow the tea to ferment. During the fermentation process, bacteria and yeast produced acetic acid and several other acidic compounds. Trace levels of alcohol are also found in kombucha as is gas, making it carbonated and fizzy.
Kombucha drinks contain several different species of lactic acid bacteria which can help provide your gut with the healthy bacteria it needs to function at its best.
Probiotic bacteria are known to help improve crucial aspects of health such as digestion, reducing inflammation, and increasing your digestive systems ability to suck all the nutrients out of the food that you eat.
May Promote Liver Health
Similarly, kombucha may improve liver health due to its potential ability to detoxify the body. So over time, drinking the beverage may reduce how hard your liver has to work, per the Journal of Chemistry.
In the Pharmaceutical Biology;study, rats administered kombucha also showed decreased levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances;in their livers. This organic compound is a measure of cell and tissue damage. Still, more clinical research is needed to know whether the benefit holds up.
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