Kombucha is typically classified as a “functional beverage”, or a nonalcoholic beverage with supposed health benefits.

What is kombucha said to do?

The drink is promoted as improving digestion and diabetes, strengthening the immune system, reducing blood pressure and being detoxifying. Proponents also contend kombucha helps rheumatism, gout, hemorrhoids, nervousness and liver function and fights cancer.

These purported health claims are chronicled in the book Kombucha: The Miracle Fungus. From beneficial probiotics to gut health, we’ve listed 10 of the most intriguing alleged kombucha health benefits below.

1. DETOXIFICATION.

Teeming with enzymes and bacterial acids, kombucha is believed to aid in natural detoxification. Gluconic acid, which is found in kombucha as well as in fruits and veggies, may bind to toxins to help expel them from the body, according to scientific evidence.

Glucaric acid, also a product of kombucha tea fermentation, may boost the efficiency of the liver’s detoxifying tracts. While for some, that may be more than enough reason to purchase their own SCOBY or starter culture, others might need a few more reasons before adding regular kombucha to a healthy diet.

2. MENTAL HEALTH.

There may be a link between probiotics and depression, suggesting that drinking probiotic-rich kombucha could help promote positive mental health.

There are strong links between depression and inflammation, so the anti-inflammatory effect of kombucha may help alleviate some of the symptoms of depression.

3. IMPROVED DIGESTION.

There is mounting evidence that the combination of organic acids, polyphenols, enzymes, and probiotics in kombucha may promote a healthy digestive system and soothe an upset stomach. Probiotics sometimes referred to as “good gut bacteria”, can help deter or provide relief from problems like IBS, diarrhea, and constipation.

A healthy human body has three to five pounds of beneficial bacteria and microbes (called the “microbiome”), but the microbiome can be depleted by stress, alcohol use, antibiotics, and other harmful organisms. By drinking the fermented beverage kombucha, you may be able to help replenish lost gut bacteria.

4. HEART DISEASE.

Levels of certain types of cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease. Kombucha helps to reduce levels of cholesterol linked to heart disease. Cholesterol levels and heart disease are also influenced by diet, exercise, weight, lifestyle habits, and inflammation. However, drinking kombucha may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

5. IMMUNE SYSTEM STIMULATION.

The healthy gut bacteria gained by drinking kombucha may help stimulate the immune system, which is thought to be closely connected to the living organisms in the gut. Probiotics, specifically from those in fermented foods and gleaned from the fermentation process, can strengthen our natural defenses against harmful microbes and some forms of illnesses.

When our natural microbiome is depleted, harmful microbes such as ones that cause ulcers, diabetes or cancer can take hold. Kombucha also contains DSL and vitamin C, which may fend off inflammatory diseases, tumors, cell damage, and other concerns.

6. CANCER PREVENTION.

The live microorganisms found in some kombuchas can reinforce our natural defenses some forms of cancer and free radicals. These microbes may activate our natural cancer-killing cells.

Glucaric acid, which is found in kombucha and foods like grapefruit and cruciferous veggies, may help reduce cancer risk. Lactobacillus type microbes found in some kombucha may also activate our natural cancer-killing cells. Allegedly, President Reagan consumed kombucha daily to combat stomach cancer for its noted defense about free radicals. The health elixir is magic, what can we say?