The world of tea is vast with well over 3,000 different varieties with each of them having different characteristics. But out of those selections, I want to focus on one that’s gotten a lot of attention: kombucha.
Kombucha is an olden slightly sweet, slightly acidic beverage first used in east Asia about 2000 years ago and now consumed worldwide. It is composed of either black or green tea as a base and fermented with a type of tea fungus (bacteria and yeast).
It is a non-alcoholic drink that holds vitamins, acids, and many other nutrients associated with health benefits, such as cardiovascular health.[1]
Kombucha has taken the beverage world by storm in recent years due to the claims of its health benefits such as liver function, heart disease, immunity, and digestion.
As a result, the kombucha market has been offering quite a lot of kombucha brands for gut health, but that leaves consumers with one big question: which one is the best? OR in other words, which one is the right one for you?
I have gathered some important information about kombucha, its health benefits, and answered some of the most common questions asked by readers to help you out in your quest for the best kombucha brand to improve gut health. Hopefully, one of them is the best kombucha brand for you.
But first, understand why kombucha is actually good for you.
Why Is Kombucha Good for You?
Below are some of the known benefits of kombucha.
1. Potential Source of Probiotics
There is a particular way that tea is made and the best kombucha brands follow that same process with a bit of twist. You see, kombucha is a black or green tea that’s had yeast and specific strains of bacteria included in it. It’s then fermented for about a week or more.[2]
By the end, you’ll have a blob of living symbiotic colonies of bacteria, also known as SCOBY. This kombucha SCOBY can go on to ferment other kombuchas.
This process allows kombucha probiotics to build up during fermentation and then sits in your stomach after you drink it. While we tend to think bacteria is all bad, most bacteria in the world are good for us.
Case in point, the bacteria that’s in kombucha will go into your guts which will help with digestion, inflammation, and in some cases, weight loss.[3]
2. Contains Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that fight radicals and reactive molecules that damage your cells if left unattended. You’ll find many antioxidants in various fresh foods, but you’ll find them in kombucha as well.
The effects of these antioxidants are prominent in any kombucha recipe that contains green tea. Though so far, the studies in this area have only been performed on rats.[4] Regardless, it’s promising if these effects apply to humans.
3. Reduces Heart Disease Risk
There have been studies looking at the kombucha benefits in the heart, too. While these studies have only been on rats, the studies have shown some promise.
One study found an increase in “bad” LDL and “good” HDL cholesterol levels in 30 days. Those cholesterol measurements are markers for heart diseases.[5]
8 Best Kombucha Brands
We’ve provided the essential things that you should know about the kombucha. However, you may still have a hard time choosing which products to buy. So, we made a list of some of the best kombucha brands to help you choose.
1. Health-Ade Kombucha
The company claims its brand of kombucha is the highest quality and best-tasting kombucha you can buy on the market. As a kombucha woman myself, I have to agree with it.
The company makes a point of shipping kombucha tea cold to preserve the probiotics. It has healthy acids for your belly. It’s also organic, non-GMO, raw, gluten-free, vegan, and kosher.
The drawback is that the company doesn’t offer refund policies. While it’s low in processed sugar (the only sugar they have is organic cane sugar), the sugar content is higher than other kombucha brands. Even though it’s healthier, it covers 24% of your daily dose of sugar which might cause sugar levels to spike in some people.
Fermented Tea with Living Probiotics, Detoxifying Acids, Supports Gut Health, Non-GMO, Vegan, Gluten Free, 6 Pack (16 Fl Oz Bottles), Pink Lady Apple
2. Brew Dr. Kombucha
Brew Dr. Kombucha is well known for their kombucha tea being brewed with organic whole tea leaves, fruits, roots, and dried herbs. This process has allowed the company to provide customers with various kombucha flavors as well.
They have four kombucha flavors, each with no juices or extra flavors added during fermentation. It also comes in cans while being priced well per can.
While this kombucha is cheaper, do note that there are fewer carbs and other ingredients to make it sweeter compared to other brands.
3 Pack (6 x 14 oz Each, 18 Bottles, 252 oz Total) - Three Different Flavors: Clear Mind, Island Mango and Superberry - USDA Organic-Gluten-Free
3. GTs Organic Raw Kombucha
GTs is another high-end kombucha brand to look out for. Their goal is to provide kombucha that helps to revitalize the mind, body, and soul.
The company has been brewing kombucha since 1995, so there are years of experience behind the brew to ensure you’re getting the finest quality. They also come in three flavors.
That said, you may have a rough time handling this kombucha. For some customers, they didn’t see any improvement in their gut health and didn’t enjoy the taste. Other customers also noted the amount of sugar in their brews.
4. Humm Kombucha
Another good selection of high-quality kombucha brand is Humm Kombucha. Made out of Bend, OR, this kombucha brand fits the overall branding of this company.
It’s fun and joyful and it fits that image with the unique art style on the bottle. One customer also remarked it tastes similar to ginger beer.
The only sort of drawback is due to its popularity, you may find it difficult to find this particular brand of kombucha.
No Refrigeration Needed, Keto Friendly, Organic, Vegan, Gluten Free - 12oz Cans (16 Pack)
5. Remedy Organic Kombucha
A kombucha company originating in Australia, Remedy focuses on old school brewing in their kombucha how to make the process. The company is built on doing it organically and producing in small batches.
Some of the distinct perks of this brew are that the flavor is rich, it’s vegan, and has no sugar at all despite it tasting like raspberry lemonade.
This kombucha is great, however, the only glaring issue is that there is only one flavor that this company brews at the moment. Furthermore, since their policy is small batches, getting your hands on them can also be tricky in some circumstances.
Sugar Free, Keto, Vegan & Gluten Free - Sparkling Live Cultured, Small Batch Brewed Beverage - Raspberry Lemonade - 8.5 Fl Oz Can, 24-Pack
6. KÖE Organic Kombucha
KÖE is another kombucha in a can that is filled with flavor. There are five flavors in total, each filled with probiotics to make your gut happy.
Their drinks are in a can and don’t require to be refrigerated. They are also free of GMOs, are vegan, organic, have no alcohol in them, and only contain 35 calories.
Sparkling Fruit Drinks With Live Probiotics and Vitamin C | 12 oz Pack of 12
7. Wonder Drink Prebiotic Kombucha
The only kombucha on the market right now that is certified organic, non-alcoholic, and plant-based. The company also takes pride in making the kombucha prebiotic, which is different from having many probiotic, making it one of the most unique kombucha brands. In short, prebiotics are organisms that produce probiotics.
There are three distinct flavors that have no alcohol and contain only 10 grams of sugar per can. The company is also USDA certified organic and BPA free.
The drawback of this kombucha is the fact that it’s distinct from other brews. You have to keep this brew refrigerated, and you can’t shake it either. Also, the fact that the kombucha is filled with prebiotics rather than probiotics might upset your stomach than benefit it.
Plant-Based Prebiotic Gut Health Sparkling Fermented Tea Low Calorie & Low Sugar Soda Alternative, Digestive Health Benefits, Non-Alcoholic Tropical Mango,12oz Pack
8. Better Booch Kombucha
The last kombucha health ade in this list is the Better Booch, which is made by one of the best kombucha brands out there. The company strives to make kombucha that is 100% healthy for you. Considering it’s kosher, vegan, gluten-free, GMO-free, organic, and raw, it’s hard to argue with them on that point.
The company has five flavors to choose from. The brewing process also entails using lots of flavors while keeping the sugar content low. They even ship their product cold, unlike other brands.
That said, the transporting of products could also be a potential issue. One customer noted that the cans combusted while others noted a lack of flavor as well.
Low Sugar, Vegan, Gluten Free - Gut Healing Active Cultures - Ginger Boost Flavor, 16 Fl Oz Cans, 12-Pack
FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about kombucha, and we’ve answered them for you.
1. How Should I Store Kombucha at Home?
There are three ways you can store kombucha:
- You can drink it immediately, and put the rest in the fridge. Do note that doing this will remove some of the fizz, though the taste will still remain.
- Cap the kombucha and place it in a warm and dark place, and let it sit for 2-3 days.
- Or you can turn your kombucha into a soda.[6]
2. Can I Drink That Stuff Floating Around in the Bottle?
In short, yes. Kombucha is a living tea since there are bacteria used in the process. The stuff floating at the top is actually the kombucha SCOBY mentioned earlier, and it’s a good sign they are there. It’s a telltale sign that the brew is healthy.
3. Will Kombucha Make Me Drunk?
Kombucha with alcohol is to be expected when you are making it. Also, many of the commercial kombucha ingredients lists do have alcohol in it. That said, while it’s a possibility, you’ll have to drink a lot of kombucha and have a low alcohol tolerance.
To put it in perspective, eight cans of commercial kombucha is the alcohol equivalence of one bottle of beer.[7]
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a healthier stomach and digestive system, kombucha is a quick and easy solution. That being said, there are many kombucha brands out there for you to try and see what is best for you.
Featured photo credit: Dannie Sorum via unsplash.com
Reference
| [1] | ^ | Harvard Health Publishing: Fermented foods: Favorable for heart health? |
| [2] | ^ | PubMed.gov: Kombucha Tea Fermentation: Microbial and Biochemical Dynamics |
| [3] | ^ | HealthLine: How Probiotics Can Help You Lose Weight and Belly Fat |
| [4] | ^ | PubMed.gov: Hepatoprotective and Curative Properties of Kombucha Tea Against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Toxicity |
| [5] | ^ | PubMed.gov: Hypoglycemic and Antilipidemic Properties of Kombucha Tea in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats |
| [6] | ^ | Health Starts in the Kitchen: How to Make Kombucha Soda (Second Ferment) |
| [7] | ^ | My Recipes: Can You Get Drunk Off Kombucha? |
