Kombucha has been all the rage in the health food world for years now. In fact, even if you don’t know what kombucha is, you’ve likely seen bottles of the fizzy elixir on the shelves of your local grocery store. Keep reading to learn more about incorporating kombucha into your diet and its many benefits.
What is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented, sweetened black or green tea drink that is most commonly consumed for its health benefits.
Benefits of Incorporating Kombucha into Your Diet
There are a number of purported health benefits associated with kombucha, including:
Kombucha is a Source of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are known to fight free radicals — molecules that can damage the cells. What’s more, researchers believe that antioxidants found in food and drink are better for your health than in supplement form.
Kombucha, particularly when made with green tea, has antioxidant effects on the liver — which can help reduce liver toxicity.
It May Help Boost Metabolism
If you’re looking to drop a few pounds for summer, you may want to start incorporating Kombucha into your diet. Now, we’re not saying kombucha is a miracle weight loss drink, but because of the epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) that is found in the green tea of some types of kombucha, it may be a secret to boosting the metabolism.
May Help Reduce Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is linked to virtually every health problem, from heart disease and diabetes to arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Adding kombucha to your diet in conjunction with healthy lifestyle choices and any required medication can help lower inflammation because the teas used to make kombucha contain polyphenols — antioxidants that have been shown to reduce inflammation. Researchers also believe that eating gut-friendly foods like kombucha may help lower inflammation in the intestinal tract.
May Help Protect Against Cancer
Cancer, one of the world’s leading causes of death, is characterized by cell mutation and uncontrolled cell growth.
Test studies showed that kombucha helped prevent the growth and spread of cancerous cells thanks to its high concentration of tea polyphenols and antioxidants.
It’s not entirely known how polyphenols work to fight cancer, but researchers believe it has something to do with the fact that polyphenols block gene mutation and cancer cell growth while also promoting cancer cell death.
May Help Manage Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects more than 300 million people across the globe and is characterized by high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance.
A study of diabetic rats found that kombucha slowed the digestion of carbs which in turn reduced blood sugar levels. It also improved the function of the liver and kidneys.
Kombucha that is made from green tea is even more beneficial because green tea alone has been shown to lower blood sugar. In fact, one study of nearly 300,000 people found that green tea drinkers had an 18% lower risk of developing diabetes.
Given all of the potential health benefits of kombucha, there’s no reason not to give it a try. These days, kombucha is sold at most grocery stores and comes in a wide variety of flavors, so you can find one you enjoy and start reaping the potential health benefits today!
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