KOMBUCHA TEA Learn How This Tea Has Made Quite A Stir Kombucha has been hailed as the ‘soft drink of the 21st century’, and linked to a number of health benefits.  It is a fermented drink made with bacteria cultures and has been used medicinally in Asia for over 2,000 years.  The Western world has recently become very interested in this fermented tea, and you can find a number of different flavors at the local natural food store.  But what is kombucha, and can it really help you improve your health? Read on to find out if kombucha tea needs to be part of your weekly diet.

WHAT IS KOMBUCHA TEA?

Kombucha is a tart and sour drink with a slightly ‘fizzy’ consistency.  The process of making kombucha involves fermenting bacteria cultures and then mixing them with certain types of tea.  A fresh cup of kombucha is actually a mixture of live bacterial cultures that have been handed down through generations throughout history; you can now purchase kombucha online to make your own homemade batch of kombucha tea or other drinks. 

The brewing process can be fairly complex, but typically involves infusing tea with sugar and then allowing the tea to ferment in a warm area.  After the fermentation process is complete, the mixture can be strained and refrigerated before it is ready for consumption; the beverage is typically served cold.

KEY BENEFITS OF KOMBUCHA TEA

According to the Mayo Clinic, there is not enough direct evidence that kombucha tea and kombucha drinks actually have any health benefits.  However, natural health practitioners continue to laud several health benefits of this fermented drink, and claim that it can help with digestion, ease constipation and even give you more energy. 

According to Bev Ferguson, owner of Kombucha Manna International, there are dozens of health benefits of Kombucha such as:

Improved sense of well-being Thicker hair Stress reducer Blood pressure regulator Relieving menstrual cramps Healing bladder infections Cleansing toxins from the body Increased energy (Source: http://www.kombu.de/benefits.htm)

THE KOMBUCHA TEA CONTROVERSY

The taste of kombucha tea can take time to get used to, but many people enjoy the fermented flavor and continue to try different variations and recipes to enjoy some of the benefits of the drink. The tea is being marketed and sold in the United States as a healthy tonic and health beverage, and there are now dozens of different flavors available.

However, kombucha tea is considered to be potentially harmful for some people; the Mayo Clinic warns that the home-brewing process can lead to contamination, and the fungus found in Kombucha tea can be especially harmful for people with weakened immune systems.

Some of the reported side effects of kombucha include allergic reactions, nausea and jaundice; if you’re considering making your own kombucha tea, make sure you are using only fresh ingredients and understand the risks associated with contamination. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved or endorsed kombucha as a ‘healthy tea’, and also advises people to consider the risks associated with contamination before making or consuming the beverage.

Article Written By: Sabah Karimi; Sabah is a busy writer from Orlando, Fla., who is passionate about writing on health and fitness, beauty, fashion and style tips, spa and travel topics. She now uses her expertise as a freelance writer to contribute to both DivaVillage.com and VillageMAMA.com.