20% off £35
Kombucha is a fermented tea drink with an acidic flavour and slight fizz.
As kombucha has a low calorie and sugar content, it's an excellent choice for consumers looking for an alternative to water without any bad-for-you ingredients.1
But what is kombucha, and why is it so popular?
In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know about kombucha. From its benefits and potential side effects to whether or not you should be drinking it, so you can learn whether you can safely include a kombucha drink in your diet.
But first, let's talk briefly about the benefits of kombucha and why we're seeing this fermented fizz everywhere, from health food shops to the mixer shelves in hipster bars.
Fermented drinks have grown in popularity over the past decade as emerging science highlights their benefits.3
In fact, The world consumed over 18-kilo tonnes of fermented beverages in 2018!4
Kombucha has likely benefited from its association with the food trend. As a result, it has become increasingly fashionable in the United Kingdom, so much so that an estimated 1,000 British pubs sell kombucha drinks to their consumers.5
Kombucha has been linked to a whole host of benefits, These are just some of the benefits of kombucha and how it can support you in your healthy lifestyle:
Thanks to its bacteria content, kombucha tea may help to maintain a healthy population of microorganisms in your gut. These bacteria can benefit your stomach and, in turn, your overall wellness.6
Fermented foods are made from bacterial cultures which produce probiotics during fermentation, and kombucha is no exception.
Although probiotic content is linked to digestive health, no current evidence proves kombucha provides effective probiotics for health.7,8
Both green and black tea contains antioxidants called polyphenols, which have been linked to cardiovascular health.9
Although studies show kombucha's fermentation process enhances tea's antioxidant properties, there's no conclusive evidence which proves kombucha's polyphenol content positively impacts health.10
Kombucha contains essential vitamins and minerals for your overall health and well-being. This includes zinc, copper, magnesium, iron, nickel, and cobalt, as well as vitamins B1, B6, B12 and Vitamin C.11
In today's age, people are choosing kombucha instead of high-calorie, carbonated, sugar-sweetened beverages or alcohol.
In particular, kombucha made from green tea has been shown to possess microbial properties.
Specifically, green tea-based kombucha was found to inhibit Staphylococcus epidermidis, Listeria monocytogenes and Micrococcus luteus.
Not only this, but it may also have anti-Candida potential against infection-causing bacteria and Candida yeasts.13
The popularity of this fizzy, fermented tea is showing no signs of slowing down. Of course, many pre-bottled options are available, but have you considered brewing your own?
If you are ready to test the benefits of kombucha or fancy a mini microbiology project of your own, you can follow a simple 7-step kombucha recipe to create your own fermented kombucha drink brimming with friendly bacteria.14
Brewing kombucha is easy with the right know-how and ingredients! Kombucha is usually made using five core ingredients. Here is what you'll need to make 1 litre of the drink.
What else you'll need
A quick word of advice, be careful to keep everything clean, and if there is any sign of mould in your mixture, discard it.
Steep the tea and sugar in 250ml of boiled water and leave to cool for 6-10 minutes.
Remove the tea bag (try not to squeeze it) and add the remaining 750ml of cold de-chlorinated water.
To allow for SCOBY growth and other fermentation effects, make sure to leave at least 5cm of space at the top.
Use a cloth, paper towel, and elastic band to prevent dust and fruit flies from getting in. But don't seal the jar as the SCOBY needs to breathe.
The ideal temperature range for fermentation is 26-27°C. But room temperature should be fine if it's above 21°C.
It's better to leave your fermenting kombucha out of a cupboard but avoid direct sunlight.
The exact point when your kombucha is ready depends on your personal taste preference. Some people find it's still too sweet after six days and prefer to wait until nine or 12 days before drinking.
If you want to add flavours to your brew, if you prefer a higher level of carbonation or are looking to make hard kombucha, you can ferment further.
Whilst fermentation means that all types of kombucha will contain alcohol, hard kombucha is specifically created to have more significant amounts of alcohol.15
The fermentation process used to brew traditional kombucha is repeated to create hard kombucha, with more sugar and yeast added to make it stronger.
Sometimes, hard kombucha, or alcoholic kombucha, can contain up to 4-7% ABV. In contrast, a non-alcoholic kombucha will hold up to 0.5% ABV, the equivalent of a non-alcoholic beer.15 So, it's worth checking the label on your kombucha to ensure you're drinking the right type!
Fancy making your own alcoholic kombucha? Follow our step-by-step guide to making hard kombucha, and learn more about hard kombucha. You can even add it to your favourite cocktail for a delicious twist.
Some unpleasant side effects and potential dangers are sometimes associated with drinking too much kombucha.16
However, scientific studies show that most people who experienced side effects either had a pre-existing illness or drank a contaminated batch of kombucha.17,18
Like with any live food or drink, it's advised to allow your digestive system to adjust by gradually increasing the amount you drink. For example, start with 100ml daily for the first week and increase slowly as it might not suit everyone.
People with gastric and kidney complaints are more likely to experience an upset stomach from drinking kombucha than those who don't.19
In addition, if you have a weakened immune system, kombucha may not suit you, so you should ask your GP before introducing it into your diet.
Whilst kombucha is full of great vitamins, minerals, and healthy bacteria, there are a few things to keep in mind if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The fermentation process used to make kombucha naturally produces alcohol.
Generally, the alcoholic content in kombucha is around 0.5%, often similar to non-alcoholic beer and usually considered safe for pregnant women.20 Any less than 0.5%, and it is considered non-alcoholic.
Still, it is unknown whether even this tiny amount will affect your baby. So, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, always check with your doctor to ensure you are safe for yourself and your baby.
Pasteurisation is the process of heating products to kill harmful bacteria.
In its purest form, kombucha is unpasteurised, so there is a risk of it containing some harmful bacteria.
During pregnancy, it is often recommended to avoid unpasteurised products to reduce the risk of ingesting harmful bacteria.21
As kombucha is made using green or black tea, it contains caffeine. The amount of caffeine found in kombucha can vary, but it should be something to keep in mind.
During pregnancy, your body takes longer to process caffeine.22
While most studies show that a moderate amount of caffeine is safe for you and your baby, others show that increased caffeine has some dangers.23
So, it is recommended that you limit your caffeine consumption during pregnancy.
While breastfeeding, a small percentage of caffeine will end up in your breast milk. If you drink large amounts of caffeine while breastfeeding, your baby might become irritable and struggle with sleep.24
So, it's best to wait a while after drinking kombucha before breastfeeding.
Kombucha may be able to help you control weight. This is because kombucha contains polyphenols: micronutrients that we get from plant-based foods.25
One study from 2010 concluded that foods or drinks containing polyphenols might facilitate weight loss and prevent weight gain.26
These micronutrients act as antioxidants to help aid recovery after exercise, support your body in burning fat and help you to manage your blood sugar levels.27
So, choosing foods rich in polyphenols could be beneficial when it comes to weight loss.
While the benefits of drinking kombucha tea are great, that isn't a green light for consuming too much of it. The Centres for Diseases Control state that 115ml of kombucha, up to three times a day, is safe to drink.28
If you have any queries about whether you should have kombucha at all, always check with a medical professional, as they will be able to advise you further.
Some unpleasant side effects are sometimes associated with drinking too much kombucha.15
These include:
However, scientific studies show the majority of sufferers either had a pre-existing illness or drank a contaminated batch of kombucha.17,18
Like with any live food or drink, it’s advised to allow your digestive system to adjust by building up the amount you drink gradually.
For example, start with 100ml a day for the first week and increase slowly. Also, it might not suit everyone.
Finally, if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or have a compromised immune system, kombucha may not be suitable for you so ask your GP before introducing it into your diet.
People with gastric and kidney complaints are more likely to suffer an upset stomach from drinking kombucha than non-sufferers.19
Pregnant women may choose to avoid kombucha because of the alcohol content. However, it’s thought to be too low a concentration to affect a foetus.
The health benefits of kombucha are still to be proven – there's more research needed to support all the claims made about this beverage.
But we've listed a few of the credentials that have convinced many people to make it a routine part of their diet below.
Yes – both types of kombucha are 100% vegetarian and vegan-friendly. However, it's worth double-checking the flavoured varieties to see if they've added honey as an additional ingredient.
While there aren't any significant differences between the two, here are a few key things to be aware of:
Price – homemade kombucha will likely work out cheaper
Versatility – if you're making your own kombucha, you may be able to alter the flavour to your tastes
Convenience – buying your kombucha in-store may be more convenient in the short term
Kombucha has multiple potential benefits due to its antioxidant contents.
But it's worth noting that studies on the effects of kombucha are limited, so none of the benefits are 100% confirmed.
Both shop-bought and homemade kombucha are tasty drinks, so why not give one a try?
Last updated: 30 January 2023
The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.