Health Benefits of Kombucha Tea

Kombucha tea possesses not only a number of health benefits, but is also a tea with origins steeped in mystery. Many enthusiasts argue that this tea was first produced in Korea, while others argue that kombucha tea was first produced in China or Japan. Now, thousands of years after that first batch of tea was made, all we can do is guess at its history until more evidence is found.

Nowadays, the tea is consumed largely in Russia and China, but it is making waves all over the world. So what does it taste like, how is it made, and what types of health benefits does it provide?

The first time I tasted the tea, I must admit, it was a bit of an acquired taste. I liken it to iced tea that tastes a bit fruity, and a bit like white vinegar. Strange, but I wound up liking the sweet flavor quite a bit as I drank more of it. It took me about a week before I started craving it the way I used to crave soda. It is extra delicious ice cold, blended together with strawberries, star fruit, or blackberries.

Interestingly, the tea is not a standard bath of leaves, but a collection of bacteria and yeast. Kombucha has a mushroom style appearance, feels like jelly, and has the distinct scent of damp earth. It is the fermentation of the bacteria and yeast that gives it shape and texture. Once it reaches maturity, a small portion is broken off and used to create the tea.

All of his work has been for you, though, when you purchase a bottle of kombucha tea. When buying a bottle, make sure to read the label carefully as there are two types of tea available. The first is pasteurized tea, and it contains little or no alcohol. That said, the alcohol can continue to develop as time passes, so some pasteurized bottles of tea may contain alcohol.

The second option on the market is unpasteurized tea. This is the style of kombucha that seems to be most popular due to the fact that the alcohol content can be fairly high in these beverages. In some cases, up to 3% alcohol content was recorded. There are also some people who swear by unpasteurized tea, citing that the pasteurization process destroys vital nutrients.

A third option on the market is kombucha teabags, found at local health food stores and online.

Some of the many health benefits of kombucha tea are a boost in overall energy, the elimination of headaches (including migraine headaches), improved liver function, stress relief, a reduction in high blood pressure, an improvement in digestion, less fatigue, better skin, and a stronger immune system. It has also been said to aid in battling diabetes, osteoarthritis, and even cancer. The antibacterial nature of the tea, and the probiotics that are in kombucha, make it a great choice for people looking to improve their overall health.

When I began drinking it, I noticed a boost of energy within the first few days. Within about a month, my hormonal headaches were gone, and I was sleeping much better at night. A few months after that, I realized that I hadn’t gotten the colds and flu bugs that were circulating around the office. My immune system had been strengthened to the point where the contagious sneezes and coughs had no effect on me.

With all good things, though, comes a price. Part of this high price undoubtedly comes from the fact that many celebrities have hopped on the bandwagon, and are also drinking the tea as part of their daily health regime. While a package of tea bags is only about $3, a 33.8 ounce bottle of fermented tea can run between $16-$30, depending on where you shop. Nutricity, iHerb, and many local health food stores carry the fermented variety.

It is also important to note that there are some possible downsides to drinking kombucha tea including allergic reaction (specifically for those with yeast allergies) and an upset stomach. It is also worth noting that tea made in unsanitary conditions has the potential for being contaminated and should be avoided. That said, the majority of tea bags and bottled teas are very safe for consumption.

As kombucha tea continues to rapidly grow in popularity here in the western world one thing is certain: No matter how “advanced” we get as a modern society, it is often the old that comes back into play when it comes to health and beauty. Kombucha tea is no exception, and it’s numerous benefits for the mind and body are definitely something to get excited about for tea drinkers everywhere.

Please note: I am not a health care professional, and the opinions expressed in this article are purely based on my own personal experience.