You may walk past supermarket fridges and see them loaded with bottles of a fizzy, sometimes colourful drink called kombucha. You may even have tried it and enjoyed it, unaware of the amazing benefits you were consuming.

If you’ve already had kombucha, it turns out you’ve consumed one of the healthiest natural drinks available. Yes! Kombucha has all the benefits of regular tea, plus a little extra something that makes it even more essential for good health.

Keep reading to understand what kombucha is, what it’s made of, as well as all of the health benefits it can bring you

What is Kombucha? And Why is it So Healthy?

Made from black or green tea leaves, kombucha is a slightly fizzy fermented drink. Because it's derived from tea, you can start guessing some of the health benefits it provides.

The main benefit of kombucha, though, is in the fermentation of the drink. As you probably already know, fermented foods and drinks are essential for the promotion of a healthy gut microbiome. A healthier gut, in turn, may lower inflammation and contribute to a stronger immune system. We’ll talk about all of that in a moment.

One of the best things about kombucha is the fact that you can make it at home using a SCOBY starter. The initials SCOBY stand for Symbiotic Colony Of Bacteria and Yeast. By letting it ferment for a week or more, you’re able to create your own culture of healthy microorganisms.

However, you can also buy ready-made kombucha at supermarkets and grocery stores. Note that store-bought kombucha may contain additives like fruit juice, added sugar, and other flavourings. If you’re not a fan of those, you might want to try one of two things: making your own, or buying kombucha made by organic brands.

Here Are 8 Health Benefits of Drinking Kombucha

1) Kombucha is Fermented

Along with kefir, tempeh, and sauerkraut, kombucha makes the list of probiotic foods you should be incorporating into your diet. Because they’re rich in lactic-acid bacteria, they may offer a great probiotic function and boost gut health. Since 70-80% of the immune cells are present in the gut, a probiotic-rich diet should be a priority for those who want to strengthen their immune system.

When we talk about fermented foods, we’re essentially talking about foods that promote the healthy growth of “good” strains of bacteria. Unlike the disease-causing bacteria you don’t want anywhere near your gut, the bacteria cultivated in fermented foods may contribute to healthier digestive and immune systems. That’s because some fermented foods – kombucha included – are natural sources of probiotics, which create a favourable environment for gut-healthy bacteria to thrive in.

And because of that…

2) It Can Reduce the Symptoms of (and Even Prevent) Constipation

For those bothered by inconsistent bowel movements, kombucha might be just what you’re looking for.

Because of its probiotic function, kombucha may aid healthier digestion. There have been several studies aimed at researching its benefits related to bowel movements. In one study, probiotic consumption in adults was shown to accelerate the movement of food in the digestive tract, increase stool frequency and improve stool consistency.

It’s important to note that those suffering with Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) should avoid kombucha, unless it’s recommended by a doctor. Introducing more bacteria to an already overloaded small intestine may bring an opposite, undesirable result.

3) It Contains Antimicrobial Activity

Have you heard of acetic acid? It’s what gives kombucha its unique flavor, and it’s the same acid present in vinegar. 

Acetic Acid Bacteria (AAB) are responsible for producing acetic acid in kombucha. Interestingly, this acid is known for its antimicrobial activity, in that it protects our gut from “bad” bacteria. But what microorganisms can it protect us from? The antimicrobial activity of acetic acid includes being a natural remedy against illness-causing bacteria such as H. pylori and E. coli. It’s no wonder it has been used for over 6000 years, even for the topical disinfection of wounds.

4) It’s Rich in Antioxidants

You already know kombucha is made from green or black tea leaves. The great thing is: even after the fermentation process, the goodies still hang around. Just like tea, kombucha is rich in polyphenols.

Polyphenols are what give teas their antioxidant power. Antioxidants, as the name suggests, help protect our body's tissues from what we call “oxidative stress”, which happens due to an excess of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms responsible for cell damage, which may result in inflammation and chronic illnesses in the long term.

If you want to increase your antioxidant intake, drinking kombucha is a great way to start.

5) It May Be a Good Ally to Mental Health, Particularly for Depression

To recap: the antioxidants we’ve just mentioned have a protective effect against free radicals and subsequent cell damage. For this reason, they also prevent inflammatory responses from occurring – hence their effect against inflammatory diseases.

Interestingly, according to Medical News Today, there are strong links connecting depression to inflammation. Because of its anti-inflammatory benefits, kombucha may also help with decreasing some of the symptoms associated with depression.

6) It May Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease

According to the Heart Foundation, the consumption of probiotics in kombucha may aid in decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol – the “bad” type of cholesterol. Contrary to high-density lipoprotein (HDL), LDL is the type of cholesterol that may accumulate on the walls of blood vessels.

Because the research on this is still limited, the best thing you can do is combine regular kombucha drinking with a heart-healthy diet. This diet should consist of lean meats (if you’re not vegan or vegetarian), whole grains, fatty fish, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.

7) It’s Rich in B Vitamins

Besides its probiotic content, kombucha is also well-known for its significant vitamin B content. It not only contains, but it’s packed with vitamins B6, B12, B2, B1, and B3.

What does that mean? Essentially, that means you’re consuming a healthy amount of B-complex vitamins when drinking kombucha. B-complex vitamins are extremely beneficial for the maintenance of healthy brain function, healthy cells, as well as healthy energy levels.

8) Finally, Kombucha Can Be a Healthy Carbonated Alternative to Sodas

When asked why they don’t wish to stop drinking carbonated, sweet drinks like sodas, many people often use their effervescent quality as a plausible excuse. That’s valid.

When asked about potentially switching to flavoured sparkling water, people may say that there’s a lack of flavour there. Which is also valid. But have these people tried kombucha?

Kombucha owes carbon dioxide (CO2) for its fizz. That’s the exact same gas that makes any other soda fizz! And because it tastes deliciously tart, it may be something a lot of people prefer over the overwhelming sweetness of certain sodas.

Plus, so many brands of store-bought and organic kombucha have added natural flavours, which makes it even tastier. The only difference? It’s way healthier.

Where to Find Kombucha in Singapore

If you can’t wait to get your hands on a bottle of kombucha right now, here are three places where you can find kombucha in Singapore. 

Fizzicle

Fizzicle is a 100% Singaporean-owned brand. Their kombucha is 100% artisanal, 100% made by hand. They’re great for treating yourself or for gifting, if you know a fellow kombucha lover. 

One of their biggest differentials is that consumers may choose where their teas come from. They may choose teas sourced from the mountains of Sichuan, China, with freshness ensured through safe air freighting. Or, they could choose their tea from a small family-owned plantation near Galle, Sri Lanka.

Their best-selling flavours include Midnight Cacao and Salted Lemonade.

Komboochy

Freshly brewed to order, Komboochy’s kombucha relies on a second fermentation step for a fizzy, flavorful drink.

The first fermentation takes from 7 to 10 days, while the second fermentation takes 3 to 5 days. During this extra step, the fruits, leaves, petals, or honey dollops are added – depending on your flavour of choice.

Their best-selling flavours include Passionfruit Mint, Lychee Roselle, and Sour Plum.

Low-sugar selections are available!

The Good Kombucha

The name says it all. The Good Kombucha is made with real fruits and quality ingredients. According to its creators, The Good Kombucha is “all about offering goodness to everyone.”

And the goodness isn’t only in the tasty sips! It’s all about giving back to the community and the planet, while encouraging consumers to do the same. With the help of private and public service providers – as well as their recycling programme – The Good Kombucha staff is always taking action for a better community and environment.

Their best-selling flavours include Mixed Berries & Mint, Pear & Green Tea, and Lychee & Oolong.