Kombucha Weight Loss Benefits: Does It Help?

"The content below is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition."

You tried your first bottle of kombucha, and you're hooked .

Rumor has it, this fizzy drink may help with weight loss, and you are wondering if the claims are true.

You will be happy to know that kombucha boasts a variety of health benefits.

In this guide, you will learn all about kombucha and weight loss.

Originating in Northeast China in around 220 BC, kombucha is a beverage made of fermented teas, including:

• Black
• White
• Oolong; or
• Green tea

To craft kombucha, you sweeten the tea with cane sugar, agave nectar, honey, or fruit juice. This combination is then cultured with a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast).

As the fermentation process proceeds, the SCOBY consumes both the caffeine from the tea and the added sugar.

The fermentation cycle causes a metamorphosis to occur, turning the tea into a lightly effervescent, tangy drink.

The finished product is bursting with billions of:

• Living probiotics
• Electrolytes
• Active enzymes
• Acetic acid

Kombucha is known for promoting the body’s overall well-being, maintaining a healthy gut, improving vitality, and boosting immunity.

Once complete, you may add fruit or vegetable juices, botanicals, herbs, and spices to add flavor to the finished product.

Kombucha may be found in flavors ranging from coffee to mango and every combination in between.

Kombucha may be helpful for weight loss.

Dense in probiotics, kombucha is proven to:

• Aid weight loss by reducing the calories absorbed from food
• Minimize hunger and reduce body weight by preventing the body from processing food into fat

Kombucha can also replace high-calorie fruit juices or soda.

Can kombucha help with weight loss?

While drinking kombucha alone will not result in weight loss, it can be a helpful tool in the overall weight loss process.

With only 30 calories per cup, kombucha is a great alternative to high-calorie, sugar-laden beverages such as:

• Soft drinks
• Sweet tea
• Fruit juices.

Kombucha and weight loss can go hand-in-hand when combined with other healthy life choices.

If you have been searching for a holistic weight loss program, the experts at HealthierU can help.

Get in touch with us today to see how our Nutrition Response Testing can aid you in your weight loss journey.

It is common knowledge that sugar is highly addictive.

It's also no secret that increased sugar consumption can lead to weight gain .

Enter kombucha.

Drinking kombucha is not only a great substitute for sugary drinks, but the fizzy drink is also far more refreshing.

However, since the sugar content can vary greatly from brand-to-brand, you will want to do a close check on the ingredients to ensure you are drinking a high-quality kombucha.

If what you drink is hindering your weight loss, kombucha may be just the substitute you are looking for.

Do you notice a midday or evening energy crash?

Get this.

The organic acids found in kombucha make iron more easily accessible to the body. This increases both your oxygen flow and your blood hemoglobin levels.

Also, the naturally occurring vitamin C found in the tea, boosts the iron’s absorption.

Why is this important?

This combination means greater energy.

So drinking a bottle of Kombucha may be just the energy boost you need to hit the gym for a workout after a stressful day at work or home with the kids.

Because kombucha is rich in...

• Probiotics
• Beneficial bacteria, and
• Yeast, such as Acetic Acinetobacter, Saccharomyces, and Lactobacillus

….there are many benefits to gut health.

These little guys are famous for helping overrun the gut with healthy flora, which in turn, can greatly aid in digestion.

Sometimes the pH of our digestive system gets a little out of whack.

A daily dose of Kombucha is a great way to bring your digestive system right back in line.

Probiotics can help stop yeast (also known as Candida) from overpopulating in your gut by re-establishing the balance of your digestive system.

And great news.

Many people report feeling less bloated after drinking kombucha.

Out with the yeast and the yuck, in with the kombucha and good bacteria.

We've covered a variety of advantages that can come from drinking kombucha.

Weight loss can be one of them.

What is the best way to get the most kombucha weight loss benefits?

Since kombucha is so loaded with probiotics, consuming small servings, spaced throughout your day, is the best way for you to consume it.

Drinking about 4-oz 3 times a day will go a long way in helping to replace the bad bacteria in your gut with the good stuff.

Some experts even recommend drinking a little before each meal so that the natural bacteria will be ready and available to help you digest your upcoming meal.

We have learned about the kombucha weight loss benefits, but you will be glad to know that this tasty beverage has a variety of additional health advantages.

Although opinions are mixed whether kombucha actually helps with weight loss, there are other benefits to be discovered by drinking small amounts of kombucha.

Another connection between kombucha and weight loss is blood sugar.

Did you know that kombucha can help you to keep your blood sugar in check?

A 2019 study found that 24 individuals between 45 and 55 years of age, each suffering from non-insulin-dependent diabetes, had normal blood sugar values after drinking 60 mL of kombucha per day for 90 days.

In addition to the possible correlation between kombucha and weight loss, the probiotics that naturally occur in a bottle of kombucha are great for keeping your bowels regular.

However, if you are just starting out with the drink, you will want to be sure to take it easy.

If you don’t, you may experience some of the detox symptoms that can typically come with a cleanse such as:

• Gas
• Bloating; or even
• Changes in your bowel movements

For this reason, it is recommended that you start with about 4 oz and gradually increase your serving size a little more each day.

Since 80% of your immune system is located in your gut, kombucha can be a superstar for boosting your immune system.

The probiotics created by the fermentation process easily make themselves at home in your digestive tract where they:

• Absorb nutrients
• Fight infection; and
• Generally, provide support to your immune system

Studies have documented kombucha’s ability to scavenge free radicals.

Kombucha can be an amazing addition to a healthy lifestyle in moderation, but there are certain things you will need to know about the drink in order to reap all the benefits it has to offer.

Not all kombucha is created equal.

Basically, there are two types of kombucha, F1 and F2.

F1 or first fermentation kombucha:

• This is the process in which the bacteria and yeast breakdown the sugar that has been added, metabolizing it into acids and carbon dioxide.
• The brew is loosely covered during the F1 fermentation process.
• The longer you allow the F1 fermentation process to go on, the more vinegary-tasting the kombucha will become.
• Generally, the F1 fermentation process lasts anywhere between 7 and 10 days.

F2 or second fermentation kombucha:

• This process occurs after the SCOBY has been removed from the brew.
• At this point, any desired flavorings such as herbs, spices or fruits, are added to the kombucha.
• The fermentation process occurs again, but this time, at a slower rate.
• During the F2 fermentation process, the kombucha becomes less sweet as the flavor additions marry with the brew.
• The F2 fermentation process is typically done in a bottle or jar, in a dark space.
• Generally, the F2 fermentation process lasts from 2 to 4 days

Green tea has long been touted as being a beneficial tool for weight loss due to its positive role in increasing metabolism.

Kombucha with green tea as the base is widely available and is the best kombucha for weight loss.

Trace amounts of alcohol are produced during the fermentation process of all forms of kombucha.

Regular kombucha naturally contains around 0.5% ABV (alcohol by volume).

Hard kombucha ranges from 4.5% ABV (equal to light beer) to 8.0% ABV (similar to some craft beers).

If you have a sensitivity to alcohol or if it is something you prefer to avoid, we recommend monitoring and or consulting with your health practitioner.

While kombucha is loaded with benefits, there can be some side effects including:

• Digestive issues
• Bloating
• Gas
• A change in bowel movements

Again, for this reason, it is recommended that you start with about four ounces, gradually increasing your intake over time.

The possible correlation between kombucha and weight loss is only one piece of the puzzle.

Are you looking for holistic approaches to weight loss?

If so, you have come to the right place.

At HealthierU we can craft an individualized plan, complete with guidelines for:

• Diet
• Exercise
• Whole food supplements

If you are serious about weight loss we are confident that Nutrition Response Testing can help you both begin and navigate the journey.

Get in touch with HealthierU today to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Donna Sergi.