Kombucha, Is It Really Good For Stomach Health? Know The Facts

Illustration of facts about kombucha (Unsplash/Tim-Oliver Metz)

JAKARTA – Kombucha, a fermented tea that is popular and can be found anywhere. According to a number of reviews, kombucha is claimed to have many health benefits. Starting from maintaining immunity, liver function, heart health, and supporting metabolism.

A fermented drink made from green or black tea, sugar, yeast, and bacteria, reported by Time, Tuesday, January 4, is believed to have originated in China 2000 years ago. Colonies of live bacteria known as scoby are added to sweetened tea and allowed to live in the fermentation process for several weeks until it becomes a drink with a mixture of sweet and slightly sour taste.

Ingredients in kombucha

Kombucha contains vitamin B, antioxidants, and probiotics. But the specific content depends on how it is made. So, it is highly recommended to read the nutrition label if you don't make it yourself at home.

According to the USDA food products database, over-the-counter kombucha contains about 30 calories and 2-8 grams of sugar for every 8 ounces. Because it is a fermented beverage, reported by Today, the process produces alcohol. In 1 bottle it contains at least 1 percent which may be negligible except for those of you who have to avoid alcohol.

Professor of medicine and director of the Center for Nutrition at UCLA, Dr. Zhaoping Li said that research on kombucha has not been thorough. It is true that it contains the microbiome that humans need to support digestive health and there are a number of benefits from its original ingredient, tea.

Illustration of the benefits, ingredients, and how to drink kombucha tea (Unsplash/Shannon Nickers)

Is kombucha good for digestion?

The natural fermentation process makes food or drink contain probiotic properties. When consuming it, the health benefits of the digestive organs are more balanced. Many nutritionists also believe that kombucha may be beneficial for gut health although they also state that thorough research is needed.

New York City registered dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman says that there are positive effects of consuming kombucha. Such as nourishing the intestines, reducing inflammation, and providing antioxidants because it is probriotic. But these claims need to be confirmed through comprehensive studies, Beckerman continued.

For those of you who are on a diet program, kombucha is very helpful as an alternative menu. However, according to Maria Zamarripa, a registered dietitian based in Denver, eating fiber-rich foods from fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains is still recommended as the main menu to maintain gut health.

How to drink kombucha

Low pH levels, such as kombucha, are not recommended to be taken throughout the day. Clarisa Amarillas Gastelum, assistant professor in the Department of Dentistry at the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine, says drinking kombucha in one sitting. Drinks with a low pH can erode tooth enamel. But you can still consume kombucha based on Clarisa's advice.

Again, kombucha also contains caffeine. Although the amount of caffeine content is less than coffee, tea, and other caffeine drinks. Typically, the caffeine remaining from the tea fermentation process is about 10-25 milligrams per serving, says Colleen Chiariello, a chief clinical dietitian in the Syosset Hospital, New York Department of Food and Nutrition.

Well, if you want to consume it every day because of its freshness and unique taste, that's okay according to nutrition experts. But if you have certain health conditions before consuming it, consult your doctor. For pregnant women and people with immune problems, it is advised not to consume it because the live bacteria in the drink can cause disease.