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How Often Should You Drink Kombucha?

Plus bubbly benefits you simply cannot pass up.

By Susie PinonPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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The bubbly probiotic drink widely known as kombucha has gained massive popularity over the last ten years. Trends for gut health and the benefits of probiotics have been better understood by the average person. I started drinking kombucha purely for the taste. It was the perfect cross of seltzer and soda, with actual health benefits and nothing really harmful.

As I continued to learn about kombucha, I soon realized how many health benefits it has. Specifically, I realized that this magical concoction of bubbles and bacteria was massively effective at healing and preventing my regular bloat and IBS symptoms. It changed the game for me and my gut.

What is Kombucha?

Kombucha is a fermented, lightly sweetened probiotic-dense beverage made by adding tea, sugar, bacteria, and yeast or SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). During fermentation, the beverage is covered with a cloth and set aside until the SCOBY eats the sugar, which on average takes a week to ten days. After this, the SCOBY is removed.

It has an alcohol volume of .5% on average, but can actually vary from 1–3%. Flavors widely vary, and most consume the drink for its health benefits. Originating from China, this nutrient-dense drink is around 2,000 years old. By the 20th century, its popularity migrated to Europe and continuously rose. Many kombuchas contain powerful antioxidant properties depending on their nutrition profile.

Bubbly Benefits

Advocates say that this well-loved beverage boosts immunity, helps with weight loss, and is beneficial to cardiovascular health. Densely containing probiotics, the drink is proven to help with diarrhea and IBS, and most importantly, reduce inflammation in the body. Studies on animal consumption of kombucha reveal that it has anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties, too. Who woulda thunk it?

When searching for the perfect brew, opt for a glass bottle because the bacteria in the 'buch can actually degrade or "eat" the plastic it may be packaged in. If possible, choose darker colored bottles to prevent damage from light exposure.

Can You Drink Too Much?

A lot of people use kombucha to assist them with a gut cleanse or detox. With that, if you're getting everything out of your body a little bit too quickly, it could be overkill. You might experience stomach cramps or a curbed appetite (which of course could be a good thing in some cases). It's important to take note of how much you're drinking in one sitting to monitor intake, and if you're drinking on an empty stomach or at a certain time of day.

Loading up on kombucha is an easy way to drink your calories. Also, a lot of bottles have a recommended serving size of three in just one bottle. Be sure to watch your sugar intake, as that could obviously contribute to other dietary problems and health issues. While I find that kombucha helps me significantly with bloating and gas, drinking too much in one sitting may actually contribute to those symptoms, depending on the person.

Dieticians recommend your kombucha intake should not exceed more than 12oz per day. As with any food, too much is never really a good thing, and it's important to practice moderation with everything. Do what's best for your body and consult with your physician if you feel like you can drink more.

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Many homemade kombucha brewers recommend starting out with 4oz per day to see how your body reacts to it. Enjoy as a morning tonic to aid with digestion, or have a full glass after your largest meal to get a great boost of gut bacteria. If you're new to the drink, ease into it and boost up how much you're consuming each day to find what suits you best.

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About the Creator

Susie Pinon

Italian chick with a New Yorker attitude. Free-spirited, eclectic by nature, vegan. I'm fueled by my passion for the art of words. I'm addicted to chocolate + love to heal through the sun's rays. Let's talk words

https://linktr.ee/xosusiep

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