10 Kombucha Health Benefits

These days kombucha is available everywhere from your local health food store to your gas station. But what makes this fermented tea drink so popular? Here are some kombucha health benefits backed by science.

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Antimicrobial Benefits

One of the byproducts from the kombucha-making process is acetic acid which has significant antimicrobial and antibacterial effects. This means that kombucha can help you fight off infections like the common cold, sinus infection or even the flu! Here are some other cold-fighting foods. (Psst! Wondering what exactly is kombucha? We’ve got you covered.)

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Homemade Fermented Raw Kombucha Tea Ready to Drink
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Can Improve Gut Health

Since kombucha is a fermented food, it’s full of healthy bacteria, known as probiotics. Probiotics introduce and help propagate healthy bacteria in your GI tract, improving regularity and overall digestion. Learn more about the health benefits of fermentation.

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Homemade fermented raw kombucha tea with different flavorings.
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Boosts Immune Function

The tea used to make kombucha is full of antioxidants but even more are released in the fermentation process. The powerful antioxidant punch alongside probiotics this beverage boasts provides a protective effect against chronic illnesses like heart disease and arthritis. These 14 feel-better foods will also help boost your immune system.

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Could Benefit Heart Health

There’s some interesting anecdotal evidence to suggest that kombucha could benefit heart health. One study done in animals found kombucha consumption to be tied with lower levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood while increasing good cholesterol (HDL) levels. If you’re looking to further improve your heart health, here are 30 days of heart-healthy dinners.

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Keeps Your Skin Glowing

When made with green tea, kombucha can be a great source of catechins, a compound that does wonders for your skin. Research is emerging that catechins may even have a protective effect against sunburn! The free radical-fighting power of kombucha can also help slow the effects aging has on the skin. There are many more foods that help give your skin a youthful glow, check out these anti-aging foods.

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Glass jar with Kombucha, poured glass with Kombucha and raspberries in the summer garden.
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Increases Energy

The active compounds found in kombucha have been shown to boost energy. This, in addition to the caffeine kombucha may contain, plus the b vitamins it boasts results in a spike of energy for you, making this drink a great afternoon pick-me-up. These 8 everyday foods can also help increase energy.

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May Help Manage Type 2 Diabetes

Kombucha was found to suppress blood sugar spikes in an animal study, potentially helping those with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugars. Also, if kombucha is made with green tea, it’s more likely that the fizzy drink could help with overall blood sugar control as green tea has been found to have preventative effects against inflammatory diseases like diabetes. Learn more about the mind-blowing health benefits of tea.

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Helps Stabilize Mood

While kombucha may help energize you, it can also keep you calm (when green tea-based). The compound l-theanine found in green tea has been shown to help increase mood while helping to keep you relaxed and balanced. What can’t kombucha do?!

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Glass jar with Kombucha
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Decreases Inflammation

Kombucha is full of polyphenols, an active ingredient that’s also a potent anti-inflammatory agent. This means that kombucha can help fight against chronic disease caused by prolonged inflammation, anywhere from arthritis to cancer. Don’t miss our list of the best healthy drinks you should be sipping on.

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KOMBUCHA BLUEBERRY, APRICOT, UNFLAVORED.
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Boosts Memory

Catechins found in kombucha made with green tea are also great for boosting memory. These along with the anti-inflammatory polyphenol compounds in kombucha will keep your brain health in tip-top shape. Here are 25 other brain foods to try.

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Man pouring a brew of sweetened black tea into a sterilised glass jar ready to add the scoby while making homemade kombucha
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The Importance of Properly Made Kombucha

When looking to achieve the health benefits outlined in this tell-all on kombucha, it’s important to consider your source. Improperly made kombucha can have an alcohol content of up to 3% and, if contaminated, could contain bacteria and fungus that could actually be detrimental to your health. Even from a reputable source, you won’t see any additional health benefits after drinking 12 ounces of kombucha daily, so beware of going overboard.

Christina Manian, RDN
For the last nine years, Christina has treated thousands of patients as a registered dietitian. Originally from Boston, she completed her education at Boston University as well as the Mayo Clinic with a focus on medical nutrition therapy. Christina has written for Taste of Home since 2018 where she covers healthy recipes and snacks, and explains the ins and outs of nutrition and healthy eating. As a contributing writer for various magazines and publications, she’s passionate about making complicated information more approachable and helping people improve their overall health.