Kombucha is a sweet, mildly fermented, effervescent tea beverage commonly consumed as a health supplement. Often times the beverage is referred to as kombucha tea in order to separate it from its related culture of yeast and bacteria. The word kombucha is actually a Spanish word meaning sweet tea. Kombucha tea has become extremely popular among people who have been drinking other traditional beverages but are not happy with their taste, for example, the popular Starbucks coffee.
Many of the health benefits of Kombucha are due to the fact that it contains a large concentration of live microorganisms. Kombucha contains two types of organisms-the probiotic acidophilus, which is naturally present in the body, and the friendly gardener's yeast or monilia which are not. These two organisms are the key to the health properties of the tea. When the two organisms are combined, they create the best blend of probiotics and yeast that can be found in the natural world and provide a number of health benefits including:
Probiotics and Yeast are both important to your health as they help to keep your digestion regular and healthy. They also help to kill off bad bacteria, promote the growth of good bacteria and generally maintain your overall health. Because of the role that these organisms play in your digestive system when you consume products that contain yeast, you are encouraging the growth of yeast in your body. This yeast will feed on the sugar in your diet and cause an overgrowth of yeast and other potentially harmful bacteria. Drinking kombucha and taking supplements can counter this effect by providing the bacteria and yeast with what they need to continue to act as good neighbors in your digestive tract.
The probiotic acidophilus and yeast in kombucha naturally work together to fight off harmful bacteria. They also work together to produce acetic acid, which is similar in function to insulin in the body. The acetic acid helps to slow down the fermentation process of the sugar. When the fermentation process slows, the sugar in the apple juice or honey is able to ferment longer, resulting in a stronger flavor and more sweetness.
Kombucha and mushroom tea has another important relationship. The yeast and bacteria interact to help the fermentation process along, and when they are working in tandem they have even more powerful effects. In addition to preventing yeast overgrowth and providing a source of probiotic bacteria, the yeast and bacteria in the tea can also strengthen the immune system and help it fight more serious health problems. This relationship makes tea one of the most powerful health products available. Research has shown that not only is it beneficial to individuals with health problems but that it is also effective for treating some common illnesses and conditions.
To make the best use of the health benefits of the Kombucha and symbiotic culture relationship, it is important to start the process of cultivating your own Kombucha culture. There are several methods for this, but most use a combination of culture and kefir cultures to get the best results. If you grow your own Kombucha culture, you will have complete control over what goes into your drink and the control of your own microflora.
After you have created your Kombucha beverage, ferment it in your own kitchen at a low temperature. Cover the container and leave the solution in the refrigerator for about a week. During this time the cultures will have time to get to know the contents of the bottle. You may have to experiment a little bit to find out what strains produce the best tasting drinks, but eventually, you will be able to brew Kombucha teas just about anywhere you would like.
In addition to its nutritional value, Kombucha tea is known for having a number of health advantages, including possibly fighting disease. The antibacterial properties of the yeast are helpful to those who have weak immune systems or are sickly. The beneficial bacteria found in the mixture help fight off viruses, germs, and other harmful organisms, which help to make the brew a healthy option for anyone who is sick or has a medical condition. Kombucha has also been shown to be good for the digestive system. Many people have reported an absence of gastrointestinal problems after brewing their own Kombucha tea for two to three days. This is most likely due to the probiotics that are included in the brew.
