It seems everywhere you turn there’s some type of kombucha on the shelf and the drink has proven a hit with designated drivers, teetotallers and detoxers country-wide.

Australians are jumping on the probiotic bandwagon and with more people trying to lead healthier lifestyles, people are favouring kombucha and matcha over other high calorie, low nutrition drinks.

Now even alcoholic kombucha has arrived, but does the alcohol content negate all the health benefits of traditional kombucha?

Kombucha is a tea and sugar drink with added “scoby” which is a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. It’s a tart and fizzy combination that contains gut beneficial bacteria.

The original kombucha contains trace amounts of alcohol because of the fermentation process but higher alcohol versions are also on the cards.

Dieticians say these high alcohol versions will not hold the same health benefits as the original. Anna Debenham, dietitian from Mojo Kombucha explained,

“There’s been so much research to show that consuming too much alcohol can actually upset that balance of bacteria in the gut,”

“So by combining kombucha with high levels of alcohol … is that then counterintuitive?”

Source: https://coach.nine.com.au/2018/08/24/15/49/alcohol-kombucha?app=applenews

She also says the high alcohol kombucha would probably alter the taste because it would have to be fermented for a longer period of time.

“The other point to keep in mind that is to make alcoholic kombucha, you’d need to let that fermentation process go on for much longer and the taste is probably not going to be as good,” she points out.

So then there might be added sugar or sweeteners to make sure it tastes good. The bottom line is that kombucha is amazing as it is, and I think tampering with it to try and create healthier alcoholic beverages is maybe a little risky.”

Source: https://coach.nine.com.au/2018/08/24/15/49/alcohol-kombucha?app=applenews

She explains that kombucha the way it is, is a great alternative to alcoholic beverages or soft drinks because it’s healthier due to less alcohol and less sugar. It also contains good bacteria which helps prevent the growth of bad bacteria in the gut, which can contribute to poor immunity and ill health.

Experts say that with the new alcohol varieties we shouldn’t expect any good bacteria in the drink to counteract the bad effects of alcohol.

If you do opt for alcoholic kombucha, remember to stick to the recommended daily limit for alcohol consumption, no more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day for men and one for women.

Read more https://coach.nine.com.au/2018/08/24/15/49/alcohol-kombucha?app=applenews