Kombucha: What Is It & Is It Good For You?

Kombucha has taken the world by storm along with the rising popularity of fermented foods like tempeh and miso. We're all on the hunt for new weird and wonderful ways to nourish our bodies and make sure we're as healthy as we can be, and kombucha seems to be the latest craze. This fizzy, fermented tea was once something that you'd only find in health stores or vegetarian cafes, but now you can spot it almost everywhere, including supermarket shelves and restaurant chains. 

If you've heard of kombucha, chances are you've also heard of SCOBY, aka "symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast". As its name suggests, SCOBY is a mixture of bacteria and yeast that's needed to transform tea into that slightly sour, delicious beverage that we've all grown to love. It's a strange-looking substance with a smooth, jelly-like appearance.

One thing to note is that kombucha contains a small amount of caffeine (from the tea) and alcohol (from the fermentation process), but it doesn't have enough to feel the effects.

If you'd like to join the many people around the world that make kombucha from home, here are some things you'll need first:

Fermented foods have probiotic properties which improve digestion and balance the gut microbiome, and kombucha is no different. Making sure the gut microbiome is healthy is essential for overall health and a strong immune system. The healthy bacteria that kombucha provides may help digestion, inflammation and aid weight loss.

Like tea, kombucha contains a few vitamins and minerals; however, this does depend on the process it was made and the drink's recipe. You could purchase from a brand with a high amount of nutrients in their kombucha, but perhaps another brand may not have so much. Kombucha often contains nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin C, etc.

Antioxidants help defend the body's cells from free radicals, and kombucha is high in antioxidants as it's a tea-based beverage. Research has also suggested that the fermentation process may also boost the antioxidants in the drink. 

Kombucha is a healthier version of highly addictive, sugary drinks, like coca-cola. If you replace these drinks with kombucha, then that's certainly a win! Just make sure you look for a brand that has lower sugar content. 

Try It For Yourself:

Remedy - Cherry Plum Kombucha Can 

Captain Kombucha - Organic Kombucha Raspberry

Equinox Kombucha - Pink Grapefruit & Guava Flavour 

LA Brewery - Strawberry & Black Pepper Kombucha 

Lo Bros - Organic Kombucha, Cola 

Biona Organic - Sour Cherry Mint Kombucha