Kombucha: 7 good reasons to drink it (very often) – Happiness and health

It is called the “elixir of immortality”, just that … Just like me, you want to take care of yourself while enjoying a pleasant drink? Look no further, the ally of your body (and your aperitifs) is called Kombucha !

Despite its mysterious name and its somewhat tedious preparation, you will quickly be addicted to this slightly sparkling drink full of benefits for your body.

Better digestion, strengthening of the immune system, boosted energy: its strengths are as numerous as they are real and have contributed to its growing popularity. Let me take you through the properties of kombucha.

What is kombucha?

Kombucha has been consumed for nearly 2000 years in the Far East and especially in China. Its name means “tea seaweed” in Chinese. This drink is obtained by fermenting yeasts and bacteria in an infusion of tea or sweet plants.

The liquid thus produced contains a very interesting fungus from a nutritional point of view: one can even speak of “food”, a mixture of food and medicine.

Concretely, kombucha is composed of enzymes, probiotics, vitamin B, lactobacilli and many other elements that make it a bomb of benefits for our body.

It also contains equally beneficial gluconic, acetic and lactic acids.

We call kombucha “the mother” because one of the peculiarities is that the original strain of bacteria and yeast is infinitely reproducible.

It is therefore a very economical drink: you can give birth to many “daughters” from a single base of kombucha.

A study published by scientists in the Journal of Medicinal Food in 2014 helped understand what all the properties of kombucha are and how the general public can make them their own. Here are all the reasons to consume it:

7 benefits of kombucha

1. Kombucha, an ally for your digestion

First asset of kombucha (and not the least), it is a very precious ally for your transit (1). The fact that it contains probiotics and enzymes helps rebalance the intestinal flora: no more bloating at the end of meals!

In particular, it regulates the population of the fungus Candida Albicans, which causes many disorders, by causing the proliferation of “good” bacteria instead.

Heartburn, ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome are conditions that can be greatly alleviated by consuming kombucha.

More common disorders like diarrhea and constipation are also eradicated by this drink which will restore order in your intestines.

The enzymes in kombucha break down nutrients during digestion, which will do you a lot of good after a heavy meal.

2. Kombucha can help you lose weight

I am always very careful not to put on extra pounds and I guess the same is true for you. Good news: kombucha is also your slimming ally!

First of all, a glass of this drink does not contain more than 30 calories, which does not risk harming your figure, and limits the storage of fat if it is prepared with green tea.

Kombucha also fights cholesterol (2), the evil of the century. It eradicates “bad cholesterol”, the one that harms your cardiovascular health, and encourages “good cholesterol”, essential for your health.

Read: Why You Should Drink Kefir

3. Kombucha gives you energy

Difficult to combine professional life, family life and leisure. It sometimes happens that energy is lacking in front of all these tasks that absorb us and prevent us from enjoying a well-deserved rest.

Drinking kombucha regularly brings a real boost and increases your energy level significantly.

Indeed, during the fermentation process, iron is released from the infusion of black tea and energizes the whole organism at the cellular level.

Iron also helps circulate oxygen around the body, bringing a real breath of fresh air to your brain and boosting your creativity and motivation.

To top it off, kombucha is packed with vitamins and 2 to 8 mg of caffeine per drink.

4. Kombucha is good for your immune system

One of its most interesting properties is its beneficial effect on your immune system. The microorganisms and the acetic acid that kombucha contains have a very effective anti-microbial power.

They help fight infections such as salmonella, e-coli bacteria, inflammatory diseases, etc. candidiasis

Experts even go so far as to say that kombucha could replace antibiotics to some extent, but this statement should of course be taken with a grain of salt.

The probiotics present in this drink, as I told you above, also contribute to the good health of the immune system of the stomach and intestines.

5. Kombucha has proven antioxidant effects

It is well known that green tea has naturally antioxidant properties thanks to polyphenols. It therefore avoids oxidative stress, this disease that affects your cells and accelerates their aging.

Good news: kombucha is even more shielded in antioxidants thanks to the effects of fermentation (3). It fights the free radicals that pollution, the sun or even cigarettes inflict on our body.

At a time when we are bombarded with messages harmful to our cells, it is all the more important to guard against oxidative stress and drinking kombucha seems to be one of the best ways to do this.

6. Kombucha is good for your joints

Interesting thing to note for athletes or for people of advanced age: kombucha is very useful for strengthening your joints and preventing the occurrence of problems.

It contains glucosamines which help in the production of hyaluronic acid and collagen. The tissues are thus less likely to rupture and the joints are lubricated and protected. Kombucha is therefore ideal if there is a risk of osteoarthritis.

7. Kombucha is said to have anti-carcinogenic effects

Although this is not formally proven, researchers have good reason to believe that kombucha may reduce the appearance of tumors.

In tests carried out on individuals with prostate cancer (4), it has been observed that kombucha has a beneficial effect on the reduction of cancer cells.

But as long as the results of proven scientific experiments have not been published, it will be difficult to know more and we can only speculate …

Prepare your kombucha: instructions for use

Like me, are you convinced by the statement of the benefits of kombucha and you want to try this miracle drink? I will explain in detail how to make your own kombucha.

You can easily find ready-made or ready-to-use kombucha on the internet, but it is true that it is much more pleasant to prepare your drink yourself.

Start by getting a strain of kombucha (to order on the internet), 2 liters of spring water, 10 grams of black tea, 200 grams of sugar and a glass of kombucha already prepared (this is important to start its first preparation. ).

You will also need to equip yourself with a large 2-liter jar and a large bottle, both imperatively made of glass, a cotton or gauze fabric, an elastic band and a PH tester.

Step by step recipe

Boil some water then let your tea steep normally (be careful not to use a metal saucepan). Remove the tea bag, add the sugar and let cool.

Sterilize the large jar then pour in the preparation as well as the strain of kombucha and the glass of kombucha already ready.

Then tie the fabric around the opening of the jar with the elastic: it is necessary that the container is hermetically closed, but that the fabric is thin enough so that the air can pass.

Then place the jar in a dry and cool place, where the temperature does not exceed 24 degrees, and wait about a week for fermentation to take place. Use your PH tester to check where the process is at: the PH should be between 2,5 and 3,5.

When the time is up, transfer the preparation to a sterilized glass bottle and wait about two days for the second fermentation to take place.

You can add other ingredients to give a better taste to your drink, such as pieces of fresh or dried fruit, flowers, herbs, spices… Personalize your kombucha as you see fit!

Your kombucha is finally ready, you can taste it. You can keep it for a week in the refrigerator while you drink it.

Once you’ve consumed it, don’t forget to collect the bottom of the bottle so you can start another round of kombucha as many times as you want.

Small precautions to take …

An important parenthesis about the preparation of kombucha… This drink undergoes a fermentation process, which is a little more complicated to obtain than a simple tea infusion or fruit juice.

It is therefore important to strictly follow the hygiene instructions in order to prevent bad bacteria from developing. Sterilize your equipment well and make sure that the lid of the jar is tightly closed during fermentation.

Don’t hesitate to buy a ready-made kit on the internet if you don’t feel like making it yourself.

Additionally, kombucha can have a few side effects on your health that are good to be aware of. Like any probiotic, its consumption can cause stomach aches, nausea and bloating without much danger.

It is better to start by drinking just half a glass a day and gradually increase your daily dose if all goes well.

It is not for nothing that kombucha is so popular with fans of well-being and shower medicine. The benefits of this tea fermented drink have extended beyond the borders of China, where it has been consumed for millennia.

To take advantage of all its qualities, as well for your digestion, your joints, your line and your general state of energy, take the plunge and consume kombucha regularly, you will not regret it.

Even if its preparation may seem a bit complex and there are important hygiene rules to follow, there is no reason to go wrong if you follow the recipe step by step. Good tasting !