The wellness world has seen an increasing interest in gut health for prevention of diseases and improvement of overall health of a person. Fermented probiotic-rich foods boost the health of the digestive system. Therefore, kombucha is getting popular. But dietitians warn about one type of this fermented tea which is bad for health. Which is this variety that should be avoided?
Gut health and kombucha
Increasingly, it is dawning on health professionals that gut health is vital for overall health of people. If the digestive system is healthy, it can prevent body inflammation and the chronic diseases due to it. It improves food digestion and bowel movements are better and absorption of foods is good. It can help in body weight management and control of blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels.
Kombucha (Source: Health line)Studies have shown that healthy gut microbiome implies good health. The probiotic rich foods and fermented foods can boost the good gut bacteria. Kombucha is one such fermented tea that can improve the health of the gut.
This tea is also tasty and fizzy and getting popular with health-conscious people. But doctors and nutritionists warn about one variety of this fermented drink that should not be consumed. It could be detrimental for health and weight. Which is this drink that one should avoid at all costs?
Sugary kombucha and its avoidance
Nutritionists have cautioned people to not consume sugary kombucha. This fermented tea sold commercially in most supermarkets and grocery stores has a lot of sugar in it. This could cause weight gain and other health conditions. Dietitian Sheri Berger says:
“Kombucha is a popular probiotic drink that is promoted for its gut health benefits,”
“Although many people are not aware these beverages can contain a heavy amount of added sugar.”
Sugary commercial kombuchas (Source: GT’s living foods)Talking about its ill-effects on the body, Sheri said:
“Frequently drinking sweetened beverages can negatively impact health with weight gain, increased triglycerides (a common fat in the blood that contributes to high cholesterol), and blood sugar spikes,”
Sheri described about the limits for sugar in a day:
“This is equivalent to a daily limit of no more than 6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men,”
American Heart Association states that it is 25 g of sugar for women and 36 g for men.
Which fermented tea is best?
Sheri reassured that not all of these drink types are bad. One should be careful while shopping for them. Opt for low sugar brands. She opines:
“When shopping for kombucha look for brands that do not have a lot of added sugar and pay attention to the serving size listed on the label,”
“One bottle of kombucha is not necessarily one serving, added sugar grams can add up if there is more than one serving in a bottle.”
Read here: Kombucha: history, preparation, ingredients, benefits, and caution!
Kombucha (Source: Homestead and chill)Therefore, have low sugar kombuchas. And have them in moderation. These healthy decisions in life can help you achieve your health goals and increase your quality and quantity of life.