Kombucha tea: properties and contraindications

This tea is a probiotic drink , so it has the benefits of probiotic foods , that is, it contains microorganisms that act in a symbiotic way and that can bring us many benefits if we use them well. This fermented drink is made from sweetened tea and a specific colony of yeasts and bacteria . Although it has been part of traditional medicine, especially traditional Chinese medicine, now in recent years it is spreading and can be found in some supermarkets and natural, organic and bio food stores. Although, having the right material it can also be prepared at home. But, if you wonder what kombucha tea is for You have to know that it brings us many positive things, as long as we take it properly, so pay attention to everything it can bring you:

Benefits of kombucha tea

• Helps improve digestive problems such as constipation .
• Stimulates the immune system, preventing and relieving allergies.
• It increases our energy and gives us vitality.
• Regulates blood pressure.
• Relieves pains of premenstrual syndrome and menstrual.
• Reduces pain and inflammation from arthritis and other joint problems.
• It acts as an antibiotic against other types of bacteria and fungi such as candidiasis.
• Improves memory and prevents long-term loss.
• Relieves skin problems and even strengthens hair, improving the condition of the scalp.

All this is due to the fact that these microorganisms, used in China since approximately 221 BC, provide properties of kombucha tea to our body, among which the antioxidant, purifying, regenerative and energetic properties stand out. This is possible not only thanks to bacteria and yeasts, but also thanks to the results of the fermentation process that provides vitamins of group B and C, lactic acid (digestive), glucuronic acid (destinotoxicant) and acetic and usnic acid (natural antibiotics ), in addition to other amino acids and enzymes beneficial to health.

The culture composed of certain types of fungi and bacteria that is used for this tea is very specific and receives the English name of SCOBY or Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast. This SCOBY kombucha colony is yellowish or orange in color and contains the following microorganisms, specifically yeast and bacteria :

• Schizosaccharomyces pombe
• Saccharomycodes ludwigii
• Brettanomyces bruxellensis
• Bacterium gluconicum
• Bacterium xylinum
• Bacterium catogenum
• Bacterium xylinoides
• Pichia fermentans
• Starry candida

Thus, this is the colony responsible for fermenting the kombucha tea drink , by processing the sugar contained in the tea. As we have mentioned before, you can buy this drink already prepared, but if you want to prepare it you will have to buy this cologne, which you can usually find in some natural product stores and in herbalists.

If you want to know how to drink this drink, you have to think if you prefer to buy it ready-made or make it at home. In addition, depending on what you want to consume it for, you will have to follow some guidelines or others in the shots. For example, if you want to know how to drink kombucha tea to lose weight, you should think that it is advisable to take it on an empty stomach in the morning, another cup after eating and a third cup before going to sleep, for one or two weeks. On the other hand, if you are looking to treat or prevent a digestive problem, two daily intakes will be enough.

The preparation of kombucha tea is much simpler than it may seem at first. To make this drink you will only need to follow these simple instructions:

Material and ingredients

• 1 large glass jar
• 1 kitchen towel
• 1 elastic band
• 1 liter of natural mineral water
• 2 black, green or red tea bags
• 1 SCOBY culture
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 50 grams of white sugar

Preparation

1. Boil the water, lower the heat and add the tea, let it rest for 15 minutes and remove the bags.
2. Add sugar while stirring and let it cool.
3. When it is warm, pour it into the glass jar and add the SCOBY culture and the apple cider vinegar.
4. Cover the jar with the cloth and place the rubber band around it so that it is well secured.
5. Leave the jar in a place that has a temperature between 21 and 25ºC, that does not give it direct sunlight and that is well ventilated.
6. It has to be at rest for at least 10 days, although it can be extended up to 3 weeks taking into account that then it will be more acidic.
7. When it is ready and it begins to drink, it must be stored in the refrigerator and always well covered with the cloth.

Before deciding to drink this drink, you must be aware that in certain cases it is not advisable to take it, since it can cause adverse reactions or other health problems and, therefore, it is convenient to know what the risks and contraindications of kombucha tea are :

• Pregnant and lactating women: because they are microorganisms of this type, it is recommended that pregnant and lactating women avoid their consumption, as it can affect both the fetus and the newborn baby. In addition, derived from the fermentation process, alcohol is produced, which at the end of the drink is reduced to less than 1% by the action of bacteria, but which is still contraindicated for these women.
• Children under 12 years of age: their digestive system is not yet ready for this type of drink.
• Diabetics: the base of this tea contains a lot of sugar and, although most of it is fermented by the microorganisms that are introduced, in the resulting drink sugar levels can persist that alter blood glucose and, therefore, affect those who suffer type 1 and type 2 diabetes .
• Patients with a weak immune system: as it is a colony of microorganisms, it is very risky to take it if our immune system is too weakened. Although it strengthens the defenses, if we have them too low, it is most likely that health will deteriorate.

Likewise, it is contraindicated in cases of kidney, liver, heart disease and clotting problems. In addition, if we prepare this drink at home, there are more health risks, since during the process there can be cross contamination that results in the tea containing other types of bacteria and fungi . For this reason, it is more advisable to buy the drink already prepared, since the supervision of the quality of the tea at home is less precise than in a manufacturing process that must pass quality tests by law.

It should also be taken into account that it is a drink with an acidic pH (between 2 and 3) and that therefore it can cause metabolic acidosis if consumed in excess.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

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