Kombucha Tea | INFO | Benefits & Risks to Health

Kombucha tea – though not as widespread as the green tea – is a different type of tea being used for over 2,000 years.

Various populations and races have been using it centuries it as a drug against joint inflammation and as a “multivitamin” boosting the immune system, as well.

This review presents the results of a study on benefits and dangers when drinking this strange tea, trying at the same time to establish a simple way to prepare it at home in an easy and simple way.

Kombucha Tea – What it is

According to Chinese culture this is an “elixir of wellness and immortality”.

Kombucha Tea – derived from fermenting tea with a natural sweetener acting as a catalyst in the fermentation process – is a very nutritious daily beverage with plenty of benefits for organism.

As known, intestine is kind of a “second brain” to organism. Its health and good functioning support the overall good health and functioning of whole organism.

Kombucha Tea with its abundant probiotic elements, as well as its many antioxidants, manages to eliminate the harmful and dangerous bacteria, so preventing a variety of dangerous diseases.

Finally, it should be mentioned that this tea provides the body with valuable B vitamins and a high concentration of acids (lactic acid, gluconic acid and acetic acid).

To understand the reasons for this being so important, here are the benefits of drinking this fermented tea.

Kombucha Tea – Benefits

• promotes intestine health
• improves digestive process
• increases energy
• gives a feeling of wellness
• balances the intestinal flora
• reduces joint pain
• prevents various forms of cancer
• boosts weight loss
• removes harmful toxins from organism
• strengthens the immune system
• fights constipation
• lowers glucose levels (suitable for diabetics)
• protects the heart
• fights renal toxicity
• moisturizes the body
• protects the liver
• helps asthma patients
• fights antibiotic-resistant infections
• reduces stress and anxiety
• helps with epilepsy
• fights headaches
• enhances the proper functioning of nervous system

Kombucha Tea – A powerful probiotic

Kombucha Tea is a powerful probiotic and along with foods such as kefir and yogurt, is among the top probiotic foods and the best intestine “protectors”.

It contains a large number of beneficial bacteria, enzymes, vitamins and other nutrients enhancing the proper functioning of the digestive system and ensuring a healthy and strong organism.

Kombucha Tea contains all the B vitamins (i.e. B1, B2, B6 and B12) which assist in boosting the organism’s natural defense, so contributing to the smooth functioning of nervous system, providing stimulation and energy, as well.

Furthermore, Kombucha tea also provides valuable Vitamin C stimulating the immune system and preventing many diseases. Vitamin C, however, functions largely as a detoxifying agent for organism.

The harmful toxins are naturally removed and their oxidative action causing premature aging in organism as well as a large number of dangerous (even deadly) diseases is prevented.

Kombucha Tea is basically a living organism, a yeast. Its growth is facilitated by the surrounding solution (that is, a mixture of green or black tea with sugar and yeast).

The digestive system function is regulated and fights the development of pathogenic micro-organisms which may damage good health and organism function.

With origins in China and Japan, Kombucha Tea has now made its way around the world.

Pouring this mixture in a jar promotes the growth of a fungus in the form of a thin film on the surface of the liquid mixture. This fungus is also known as “mushroom tea”, that is, mushroom tea!

Kombucha Tea – Taste

This is a very special drink, for both its preparation and taste.

There is no other way than either love this tea, or hate it.

Its taste is slightly acidic and very characteristic.

For lovers of acidic taste is an excellent and extremely healthy proposition of daily beverage, unlike for many others being a nightmare not wishing to taste even a sip of it.

Kombucha Tea – Good & proper hydration

The organism’s hydration is of prime importance for its proper functioning.

However, not every liquid is ideal for hydrating the organism and maintaining good health.

Especially soft drinks are the No.1 reason for sugar intake and obesity development, without even realizing it!

The consumption of Kombucha Tea may help you replace all these harmful beverages in your diet, lose weight and boost your health.

Seasonal hydration of organism is also provided, so functions properly and efficiently.

Kombucha Tea – Ideal amount for daily consumption

Unfortunately, no clear answer to this question may be given.

The truth is that there has been no thorough research on this matter, eventually presenting a number of various answers.

However, over-consumption of this tea may cause side effects and risks to the organism’s functioning and health.

Especially people with health problems should be careful with the amount of tea consumed.

However – according to scientific studies – normal consumption of tea does not cause any health problems in healthy persons.

Kombucha Tea – Where to find the yeast-fungus

Kombucha tea – as mentioned – is an extremely complex and special case of tea. It is a powerful super-beverage preventing and treating various diseases.

Even though it bears the name “mushroom tea”, it is neither a mushroom nor a fungus as well.

It is a harmonious yeast coexistence with certain bacteria.

Commercially it is not easy to find and buy this yeast-fungus. It might be found in specialized organic stores … but again this is not guaranteed.

The simplest way is to order the fungus online, though – ideally – it is recommended to be prepared at home.

Kombucha Tea – Homemade

In the first place you will need to have available all necessary components and ingredients.

This is what you need:

• an airtight stainless steel container
• a cheesecloth
• a thermometer (not necessary)
• water
• black or green tea
• sugar (white)
• an elastic bandage
• a volumetric jug

Procedure:

• Boil 2 liters of water in a saucepan.
• Add the sugar (1 cup) to the boiling water and stir well until the sugar is melted completely.
• Then add the tea leaves (green or black) and remove the pan from heat.
• Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
• Once the mixture is cool, strain it and place it in well sterilized jars with airtight closure.
• Add in the jars the live yeast Kombucha.
• Insert the cheesecloth into the jar orifice and fasten it with a rubber band or an elastic band, protecting the mixture from dirt, dust and bugs.
• Store well-sealed jars in a dark, warm place without strong moving or shaking action.
• Store it on for about 5 to 10 days.

• The formation of a thin membrane as a film on the surface of the mixture signals the good course of the process.
• Following day 5 and onwards you can test it to see if the desired result has been reached.

If the taste remains very sweet it means you need to leave it for another 1 or more days. But if the taste is too acidic, it means you have left it longer than needed.

• When the beverage has come to the right taste, remove with clean hands the yeast fungus added along with that one created during the process.

They may be used again to prepare a new blend of Kombucha Tea.

• Strain the beverage produced and place it in a clean bottle.
• Place and store the bottles in the refrigerator (up to 3 months).

• You can use the yeast fungus to prepare your next Kombucha Tea drink for up to 5-8 times.
• Discard fungi not to be used anymore in the ground.

Kombucha Tea – Preparation possible without sugar?

The answer is no. Sugar acts as a catalyst in this mixture growing and feeding the yeast fungus.

It is also necessary for the process of reproduction and creation of the new yeast fungus.

It is important to use white sugar because its ingredients are a lot more useful for the growth of fungus. In any case Kombucha Tea is even prepared by using black sugar or even honey.

The effect is much darker in color and quite odd (perhaps even disgusting) in taste, not lasting for such a long time because the new yeast “born” is not as good as the one produced using white sugar!

Kombucha Tea – Any side effects

If you get used to the taste of this strange but so beneficial tea, this new “pet” living in the water (the living yeast fungus Kombucha) … will become your best health ally!