Kombucha Kraze…What is it?
By Sarah Heckler, MS, RD, LDN, CISSN
What is it?
What is this Kombucha drink that everyone seems to be drinking and why is it so popular? The kombucha market is expected to grow 25% each year according to a report by MarketsandMarkets.
Before we get into the details I have a confession to make…I drank the kombucha Kool-Aid and love these drinks and you will too after reading this post.
Kombucha is a fermented tea drink that has hit the food industry by storm. People are running to buy these drinks, not only for their great taste, but because of their health benefits as well.
Health Benefits of Fermented Foods
Fermented foods, such as kombucha, yogurt and kefir contain various probiotic strains that could potentially improve intestinal tract health, enhance the immune system and improve the bioavailability of some nutrients (meaning your body can better absorb them). Additionally, certain probiotics have been used to prevent and manage diarrhea.
Not only do probiotics have a direct effect on G.I. health, but they may also have an indirect impact on inflammation and arthritis. Researcher suggests their effect is likely related to the impact on immunity and changes in inflammatory mediators.
The Sugar Is Necessary
There are some skeptics out there that say these drinks have too much sugar or they taste like vinegar. The average kombucha has about 10-14 grams of sugar for the entire bottle (16 oz). This is less than half of the amount in a 12 oz of Coca-Cola, which is 34 grams (8.5 tsp). In fact, some kombucha only contains 4 grams of sugar for the whole bottle! Not only is the sugar content lower compared to other popular drinks, the sugar is necessary for the fermentation process to occur. Additionally, if you brew your own kombucha, at home, you will have more control over how much sugar is in the drink and what it tastes like.
Try It For Yourself
Okay time for another confession, some flavors do taste better than others. It may take you a couple of drinks to find a flavor that you really love! When trying kombucha for your first time, stick to flavors that you know you like and then branch out as you begin to enjoy the taste of kombucha.
TIP: Some great flavors for beginners include Health-Ade’s Pomegranate, California Grape and Pink Lady Apple. Check out other Health-Ade flavors here.
For all you adventurous foodies out there, try brewing kombucha at home! For more information on how to brew kombucha at home, check out this link or this link.
