You may have heard about kombucha — and even seen people drinking it — but what’s all the hype about? Are there actually any benefits of drinking kombucha? This blog post will unveil it all!
With its tremendous health benefits, kombucha has long been known as “the elixir of long life”. It contains a plethora of nutrients beneficial for health. Amongst other organs, kombucha benefits skin, too.
Keep reading for your comprehensive guide on kombucha benefits for skin, including what it is. Stick around till the end for helpful FAQs!
What Is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented fizzy drink, orange-yellow in color, with a sweet and sour taste. It is made from tea — mostly black, though green or white may also be used — and particular pathogens. The resulting kombucha tea is high in antioxidants that can kill harmful bacteria in the body.
Kombucha is an ancient drink dating back to 220 B.C. It was initially brewed in China, and later spread to other parts of the world. Over the years, its supporters have claimed that kombucha tea can help with a variety of health problems, including irregularities in blood pressure.
How Is Kombucha Tea Made?
The ingredients required for making kombucha tea are:
- Tea
- Sugar
- Bacteria
- Yeast
To make kombucha tea, bacteria and yeast are grown together in a suitable environment to form a culture. When formed, the culture is added to sugar and tea. The mixture is then left for fermentation to occur. The kombucha tea resulting from this process is a mixture rich in B vitamins, vinegar, and amino acids (as well as other acids).
What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Kombucha?
The benefits of drinking kombucha are diverse. Of course, kombucha benefits skin — more on that in the next section.
Improves Gut Health
The gut consists of a blend of “good” and “bad” bacteria. When the ratio of these two types of gut bacteria is disturbed, a number of health problems may result. Kombucha is a fermented tea full of probiotics (live bacteria). These provide your gut with healthy bacteria that improve the health in a plethora of ways, including aiding digestion, inflammation, and even weight loss.
Has Antioxidant Effects
Antioxidants fight particular substances in your body, such as free radicals, that can potentially damage body cells and harm your health. Antioxidants from natural foods are believed to be better than those from supplements. And so, kombucha offers a great way to obtain your dose of antioxidants from a natural substance.
May Fight Liver Toxicity
Kombucha is believed to decrease liver toxicity (caused by harmful chemicals). Though there is not much human-based evidence for this, animal studies have proven that kombucha does have a link with liver health.
May Reduce The Risk Of Heart Disease
Kombucha can help control LDL and HDL cholesterol, two significant contributing factors to heart disease. The green tea used in the fermentaton of the drink can also protect cholesterol particles from oxidation, preventing heart problems.
Kills Germs
During the fermentation of kombucha tea, acetic acid is produced. This acid has the ability to kill harmful germs, including bacteria. Kombucha made from certain teas also has antibacterial properties, that is, it can fight infection-causing germs and suppress their growth.
Boosts Immunity
As a result of its antimicrobial function, kombucha benefits and boosts the immune system. It improves resistance to certain diseases and promotes general well-being and health.
Improves Digestion
Kombucha helps with digestion by improving gastrointestinal health. The probiotics found in the drink make food more digestible and ease digestion problems.
Increases Energy Levels
Kombucha contains a calculated amount of caffeine. Exact amounts are based on the brand and type of kombucha, but it generalizes to around 15mg per serving. As such, you can expect a boost of energy with your kombucha drink.
Provides B Vitamins
Kombucha is an excellent source of B vitamins, including vitamin B12. These help fight tiredness and weakness, making you feel a healthier version of yourself.
Does Kombucha Improve Your Skin?
The benefits of drinking kombucha extend beyond those listed above — kombucha benefits skin, too! And it’s not about rubbing the drink onto your face; ingesting it has benefits that will appear on the surface of your skin.
Kombucha is a source of probiotics, which help balance the skin’s microbiome (microorganisms that live on the skin) and promote a healthy proportion of good bacteria. When applied topically, these properties also help with inflammatory problems, such as eczema.
Kombucha also contains organic acids, which help with skin hydration and improve the skin barrier. By drinking kombucha regularly, you can maintain an optimal natural balance of the skin, resulting in fewer breakouts and improved acne.
According to Dr. Engelman, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon, “Since kombucha contains lactic acid bacteria, it helps remove dead skin cells and reduce hyperpigmentation over time,”. Lactic acid is a gentle exfoliant that does wonders for the skin while preventing irritation or redness.
FAQs
What happens if you drink Kombucha everyday?
Drinking the probiotic drink, kombucha, is recommended on a daily basis. Doing so ensures optimal gut health, improved digestion, and higher immunity and energy levels. It also maintains healthy, glowing skin with fewer breakouts and an even tone. However, be sure to consume it in monitored amounts — more on that below.
What are the negative effects of kombucha?
An overdose of kombucha may have the following symptoms:
- May cause bloating and digestive issues
- May result in an excess calorie intake and (added) sugar
- Could cause an overdose of caffeine
- May have side effects for people with weak immune systems and kidney issues
However, be sure to limit your intake to one or two servings a day, and you’ll be able to leverage the benefits of the drink without experiencing any side effects. If you do face a problem after its consumption, immediately contact your healthcare provider.
What’s the best time of the day to drink Kombucha?
Have your kombucha drink or kombucha smoothie first thing in the morning! Kickstart your digestive system by consuming it on an empty stomach. This ensures the live bacteria (and cultures) can reach the large intestine more effectively and help with digestion throughout the day. You may also drink it with (or after) a meal to help with digestion.
Conclusion
The benefits of drinking kombucha are diverse — from improving immunity and gut health to providing B vitamins and preventing certain diseases, the magical drink provides a little of everything. And, of course, kombucha benefits skin, too. It helps with acne, reduces hyperpigmentation, and adds an extra glow to the skin.
Be sure to consume it in controlled proportions (and be regular with your intake) to make the most of the benefits of this green-yellow, sweet-and-sour, and slightly bubbly drink!
