5 reasons to try kombucha, the ‘soda for healthy people’

Bubbly, refreshing and with a touch of acid, this is the taste of kombucha, a probiotic drink that is gaining more and more fans in Peru. It is prepared based on tea, which by adding sugar causes the scoby (a colony of yeasts and bacteria) to carry out aerobic fermentation, providing a drink full of probiotics.

Kombucha is a 100% natural drink and can be made from black tea, red tea or green tea. In addition, its creation dates back to ancient China (220 BC). Thanks to its fermentation, the infusion becomes a drink that can be compared to soda because of its bubbles but is much more nutritious.

1. Probiotic drink

Probiotics are live microorganisms that feed our intestinal microbiota, which is very important for the maintenance of our immune system. One of its functions is to stimulate the protection of the digestive system, since they prevent gastrointestinal infections.

Kombucha is a drink that has probiotics. It is believed that due to its contribution of probiotic bacteria such as Bacillus coagulans, it favors the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.

2. For its health benefits

In recent years, many people are looking for food and drinks that help improve their health. It is worth mentioning that no food alone will do it, but health is an integral concept, however, in this path of seeking a healthier diet, we find kombucha. Science is still investigating its benefits, because although in ancient China it was taken for its medicinal powers, currently there is still no consensus that it has great benefits.

Kombucha contains antioxidants such as flavonoids, catechins, flavonols, and polyphenols, which come from the tea that is used. Antioxidants are known to stop free radicals and neutralize them, preventing cell damage and some diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

3. Replacement of soda

We have heard on multiple occasions that sodas are harmful to health, because they have a lot of sugar or because their high phosphorus content can cause bone decalcification, however, for many people it is very difficult to give them up. The bubbly and sweet nature of these drinks makes them –on many occasions– addictive. However, there is an ideal replacement: kombuchas.

Although these drinks are not as sweet as sodas, they are bubbly and we find them in different varieties. There are brands that have a lighter flavor, less acid than others. In addition, some companies flavor them with sweet fruits such as red fruits, strawberries, blueberries; making them tastier. Find the one you like the most, and make a slow but sure change.

4. It can be prepared at home

You can buy kombucha at an organic store, through a delivery app, at a restaurant, or you can make it at home. If you choose to make your own kombucha, you won’t spend a lot of money, because its main ingredients are tea (black, green or red) and some sweet substrate (sugar, panela, chancaca). The only thing you will need to invest in is buying the Scoby to start fermenting and the containers to have the kombucha. Once the process begins, maintaining the colony of yeasts and bacteria is an enriching process for the master kombuchero.

Also, you can let your imagination run wild and once you have the kombucha ready, you can add fruits, herbs or vegetables to it to have more flavors.

Be encouraged to become a kombuchero master and save a lot of money preparing this drink at home.

5. To repair non-alcoholic cocktails

Mocktails or non-alcoholic cocktails are drinks that mix the creativity and flavor of a traditional cocktail, but do not contain alcoholic beverages. A perfect replacement for alcohol is kombuchas.

In the market, there are various brands, flavors and concentrates. Choose the one that best goes with the cocktail you want to prepare and you will have a refreshing drink without the harmful effects of an alcoholic drink.