Kombucha tea is most often a homemade concoction. Proponents claim that this tea has a variety of health benefits, and can even help you lose weight when consumed on a daily basis. However, Kombucha tea is not backed by the Food and Drug Administration as an effective weight loss product, due to a lack of scientific backing and a risk of adverse health reactions, according to Mayo Clinic.
How Kombucha Tea Works
According to thekombuchadiet.com, Kombucha tea contains antioxidants that detoxify the body, offers protection against disease. Regular detoxification can also aid in weight loss, as the body will absorb nutrients more effectively and naturally rids itself of water weight and toxin build-up. Mayo Clinic also reports that among these antioxidants included in Kombucha tea are B vitamins, which helps give the body energy, and perhaps aiding in metabolism.
Benefits of the Tea
Thekombuchadiet.com reports that Kombucha tea can help you lose weight by increasing your metabolism and helping your body digest food more efficiently. Hence, you will burn food better and will not have a toxin build-up in your digestive track. The Mayo Clinic also states that Kombucha tea reportedly helps prevent cancer, improves liver function, and helps your immune system.
Ingredients
There is a misconception that Kombucha is a mushroom, when in fact it is actually a combination of yeast and bacteria cultures that look like a mushroom. According to Mayo Clinic, Kombucha tea consumers also add green or black tea as well as sugar to the brew. Thekombuchadiet.com states that the product tastes like a mixture of champagne and apple cider.
How to Make Kombucha Tea
Mayo Clinic reports that once the ingredients are added together, time must be allotted for the tea to ferment. The Kombucha should be used within two weeks. According to thekombuchadiet.com, a person should drink four ounces of Kombucha tea prior to each meal in order to maximize weight loss benefits. The ingredients work better on an empty stomach, because food does not interfere with their influence on your bloodstream.
Although Kombucha tea is touted by proponents as a healthy beverage that can aid in weight loss, there are no human studies to support these claims, according to Mayo Clinic. Also, the Mayo Clinic reports that brewing Kombucha tea at home can lead to accidental lead poisoning from using ceramic tea pots, as well as upset stomach, metabolic acidosis, and allergic reaction. Individuals should ask a doctor before using Kombucha tea as a weight loss supplement. In addition, users should exercise caution if they take any medications, as such tea may cause bad interactions.
References:
MayoClinic.com, "Kombucha Tea: What are the Health Benefits?" (accessed February 7, 2010).
Thekombuchadiet.com, The Kombucha Diet (accessed February 7, 2010).
Kristeen Mandak - Kristeen is a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, where she studied Communication and Marketing. She also has field experience in ...
