You’ve probably heard of or seen the shelves in your local grocery store stocked with kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented sugared tea that contains probiotic bacteria. Given the recent popularity of this drink, you may be wondering about the pros and cons, and whether or not this fizzy drink is actually healthy.
Kombucha does contain some beneficial probiotics, along with small amounts of B vitamins and vitamin C. For individuals who are big drinkers of soda or sugary drinks, kombucha can be a good replacement.
Despite these pros, kombucha should mainly be enjoyed as a treat, rather than an everyday indulgence.
While kombucha enthusiasts point to its probiotics as evidence of its impact on health, little research supports these probiotic benefits. The best fermented foods to eat are those with natural sugars, such as sauerkraut, kefir, or kimchi. These probiotic foods can contribute to digestive and overall health. Fermentation in kombucha, however, occurs through addition of sugar, as brewed tea does not contain naturally occurring sugar. The end product of this fermentation process may contain excess sugar, alcohol, candida, yeast, and acetaldehyde, a toxic by-product.
Given the dubious benefits of this pricy drink, it is best enjoyed as an occasional treat such as when you want to socially enjoy a non alcoholic beverage.
