What is Kombucha?
Kombucha is basically a fermented drink based on tea grass, which is extremely healthy in terms of its physiological effects thanks to the many probiotics and antioxidants it contains.
The origin of the drink goes back to ancient times, mostly from the Far East, from China, where the first records in the 3rd century BC referred to it as a drink of eternal life and immortality.
So what is kombucha? What is the tea mushroom - as this symbiotic life form is also called?
Traditionally, kombucha is based on a sweet black or green tea brew, which undergoes lactic, alcoholic and acetic acid fermentation. The final product is a probiotic drink rich in lactic and acetic acid, low in alcohol and slightly carbonated. Among other things, it contains vitamin B complexes, glucuronic, lauric, amino and other organic acids.
The probiotic forms of kombucha are formed by a symbiotic community of yeasts, lactic acid and vinegar bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria and yeasts ferment sugar into lactic acid and alcohol, and acetic acid bacteria break down alcohol into acetic acid in the presence of oxygen.
We call this symbiotic community of microorganisms SCOBY, which is a mosaic of the English words Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast, meaning: symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast.
As kombucha is a fermented drink, its probiotic effect is enhanced. A healthy intestinal flora is the basis of a healthy body, so we must take care of it. The healthy intestinal flora contains the most useful microbes for the body, which is why it is necessary to restore the intestinal flora with probiotics after antibiotic treatment.
Fermented foods increase the health of the intestinal system, strengthen the immune system, and reduce the chance of developing allergies and chronic diseases. Of course, this is true not only for kumbucha, but also for all fermented foods rich in probiotics.
Kombucha's antioxidants and flavonoids help maintain health
As the basis of kombucha is tea, in addition to probiotics, its antioxidant content cannot be neglected. The polyphenols found in tea have an antioxidant effect, their consumption helps to remove free radicals and reduces cell damage in the body.
In addition to polyphenols, tea also contains flavonoids, which have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system.
The drink therefore contains: ethyl alcohol, lactic acid, acetic acid, gluconic acid, which is also present in honey, glucuronic acid, which plays an important role in detoxification reactions in our body, usinic acid, enzymes, amino acids, flavonoids, polyphenols, other natural acids, glycerin, and vitamins B and C, i.e. many essential compounds for our health and our body.
In addition, the beneficial bacteria in the drink, such as the various lactic acid bacteria have a probiotic effect on our intestinal system.
In summary: the regular, moderate consumption of kombucha has a very beneficial effect on our body, and when well prepared, thanks to its slightly sour taste and its pleasantly carbonated nature, it also has a refreshing effect when sufficiently cooled!
Cheers!
