What is kombucha and why are people drinking it?
Kombucha has been around for over 2,000 years. It is a fermented, probiotic, carbonated drink made from bacteria and yeast mixed with black or green tea and sugar. The sugary tea turns into kombucha with the help of a SCOBY. A SCOBY is a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast. It’s a colony of microbes that turns sweetened tea into probiotic rick kombucha. Also known as a “mother” or a “mushroom.”
How to Identify Kombucha
There are 5 easy-spot signals that Kombucha is healthy:
- Smell– Vinegary aroma indicates acetic acid is forming
- Scoby Growth– New SCOBY’s grow in gradually across the top of the brew
- Yeast Activity– Carbonation and the formation of yeast strands indicate healthy balance
- Lightening of Color– Gradually the brew gets lighter as the tea and sugar convert
- Protective pH– Low pH prevents harmful microorganisms from invading the brew
Benefits of Kombucha:
Much of the information about the benefits is anecdotal but it is heralded as a healing elixir.
Kombucha does contain dozens of beneficial bacteria strains. By ingesting kombucha, we can increase the amount of good bacteria to help maintain a healthy digestive tract.
Many people have felt that kombucha can possess anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal components which can make it a powerful health tonic.
Many people who drink kombucha have reported a variety of benefits:
- Fights Cancer – with Glucaric Acid
- Strengthens Immune System – with Antioxidants
- Weight loss – with acetic acid and polyphenols
- Eases Joint Pain – helps prevent arthritis with glucosamines
- Detoxifies – with gluconic acid and probiotics
- Boosts Energy – with enzymes and B Vitamins
- Helps Digestive System – with probiotics
