Have you heard of “kombucha”? Kombucha is a fermented drink made from tea, sugar, yeast and bacteria. I recently spent time with a Shoprite dietitian providing samples of the beverage to customers. The drink claims health benefits such as boosting the immune system, preventing cancer, and aiding in digestion. While the drinks seem to be tasty to those who like fermented foods or beverages, there is no substantial scientific evidence to suggest these drinks alone impact these health claims. However, kombucha does boast healthful properties, such as B vitamins, probiotics, and antioxidants, which are associated with improved health outcomes.
Most of these fermented drinks contain probiotics, bacteria we know to be beneficial. The drinks are another way to include probiotics in your diet without dairy products, like yogurt. Depending on the brand and flavor of the drink, the nutritional information can vary. Most 16oz bottles contain around 70 calories and 16g of sugar. The label will also tell you which live bacteria are included in the drink.
If you choose to drink kombucha to test the benefits for yourself, make sure to get it from a reliable source. Home brewed tea made yourself or gotten from a friend is risky; a sanitary preparation environment is necessary to prevent contamination with harmful bacteria.
Try it out and decide for yourself!!
Most of these fermented drinks contain probiotics, bacteria we know to be beneficial. The drinks are another way to include probiotics in your diet without dairy products, like yogurt. Depending on the brand and flavor of the drink, the nutritional information can vary. Most 16oz bottles contain around 70 calories and 16g of sugar. The label will also tell you which live bacteria are included in the drink.
If you choose to drink kombucha to test the benefits for yourself, make sure to get it from a reliable source. Home brewed tea made yourself or gotten from a friend is risky; a sanitary preparation environment is necessary to prevent contamination with harmful bacteria.
Try it out and decide for yourself!!
