Kombucha is one of the healthiest alternatives to sodas
Image: Kombucha on Tap
In recent years, kombucha has become increasingly popular worldwide. Despite it being initially brewed nearly two thousand years ago in China, it spread throughout Europe and the United States only in the 20th century. Nowadays, kombucha can be found in most health shops, supermarkets, and local cafés, and its availability continues to grow.
This low-calorie drink consists of tea, sugar, yeast, and bacteria; kombucha is in itself, a colony of yeast and bacteria, which when mixed with the other ingredients and left to ferment, results in a fizzy beverage. The process is not a complex one and consists of:
- Purchasing a brewing vessel (glass or ceramic), organic tea, sugar and water.
- Adding SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) after the tea is brewed and cooled and covering it with a thin towel.
- Setting aside the mixture for up to two weeks in a warm, ventilated location.
Once the fermentation process is completed, the resulting beverage can be consumed as is, or it can be put through a second fermentation phase, where it is transferred into sealed containers with flavourings (like fruit or juice) and left to sit for up to one more week.
Some people drink it for pleasure, while others rely on its probiotic properties, including:
- promoting a healthy immune system
- stabilising the digestive tract
- improving gut health
- decreasing inflammation
- potentially aiding in weight loss efforts.
As a result of the presence of lactobacilli in kombucha, further research finds that it could assist with bloating and even irritable bowel syndrome. Other kombucha studies evaluated its effects on increasing HDL cholesterol, which helps diabetics control blood sugar levels and serotonin, which in consequence helps with mental health.
Kombucha – The Perfect Alternative to Sugary Drinks
Kombucha contains a considerable concentration of antioxidants and probiotics, as well as reduced sugar levels, making it a healthier option in comparison with popular drinks like soda. And given its rising popularity, the great news is that you can find it in your local specialty store or even get kombucha on tap to drink at home.
Sugar-sweetened soft drinks consumption, especially in large amounts and over an extended period, can significantly influence a person’s metabolism and cause blood sugar to spike. The carbonation in any drink makes it more addictive and increasingly difficult to kick the habit, but not impossible. Removing sugary soda and other unhealthy beverages from your system can be done by replacing with kombucha.
Classic soda is packed with synthetic acids and chemicals that have harmful ramifications on overall physical and mental health. The sugar content – about 27 grams per cup – is linked to obesity and other adverse effects. Kombucha is an excellent alternative for when you want to keep your added sugar intake low, as the sugar in this healthy beverage – only 6 grams per cup – is only used to fuel the fermentation process and does not negatively impact your long-term well-being. Soda has no nutritional value, and if consumed in excess, it can store calories within the body and lead to weight gain and other related conditions. Different adverse results include digestive and sleep troubles, anxiety, and dehydration.
Kombucha is the go-to solution when trying to eliminate unhealthy habits like drinking soda on a regular basis and replace them with a delicious, nutrient-packed beverage that can significantly improve your life when incorporated into your daily routine.
- Deanne and Jared Gustafson are the owners of Kombucha On Tap, a Southern California full-service distributor of top-quality and delicious products, including kegged kombucha, tea, sparkling water, and more. Coming from different professional backgrounds, both founders had limited experience in the industry, but they realized this market’s immense potential and focused on spreading wellness. The healthy beverage distribution company was established in 2014 and has become the go-to supplier of kombucha on tap to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and even homes and events throughout San Diego, Riverside, and Los Angeles Counties.
