What Probiotics Are In Kombucha

Kombucha Vs Probiotics: Cost

Making Probiotics At Home: Kombucha Tea From Mother Culture

Many of the better, made-for-the-human-gut probiotics out there are not what you would call cheap. Some are only available as a prescription or from specialized suppliers, which means they can cost a lot of money. Because they are considered a supplement rather than medication, your health insurance probably wont cover them.

However, adding kombucha and other fermented foods to your diet is as easy as a visit to a good grocery store or an online order. You can get great quality products quickly, and they not only taste wonderful, but theyre also nutritious too so you get more bang for your healthy buck!

Our Verdict On Health Ade

So weve been on a bit of a journey. And along the way weve seen that Health Ade is a kombucha-obsessed company, and shares a food-first philosophy similar to GTs Kombucha.

And when it comes to their main kombucha line, we saw there are some things we like about it, such as the use of cold pressed juices, and some things we believe could be improved to bring it closer to the standards of industry-leading GTs namely the probiotic count.

For us here at Essential Stacks, Health Ade is a strong commercial kombucha brand, but not yet at the same level in terms of supporting gut health as some of its competitors .

When Should You Drink Kombucha And How Much

So, youve discovered kombucha. You like the taste, you like the fact that its a natural product, and you like that it has probiotics that will help your gut health stay optimal. You even like that its trendy and that there are some great flavors out there. Kombucha is undoubtedly one of the most exciting beverages on the market today, but we all know that you can have too much of a good thing.

So is there such a thing as too much kombucha? How do you know when to drink kombucha and how much? Read on to find out.

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The Probiotic Power Of Kombucha

How probiotics really play a role in your gut microbiome.

Whenever Ive had to take antibiotics, Ive always had a little voice in the back of our head, probably my mother honestly, reminding me to eat some yogurt. This is because the antibiotics were killing all the bacteria in my gastrointestinal tract and to bring back some beneficial bacteria into our gut microbiome and help my immunity, I needed to bring in some new bacteria, more specifically probiotics. Warning: there will be more mentions of the GIT in this article.

I first started learning more about probiotics when I began producing Kombucha about 2 years ago. I love how these microorganisms can extend the life of so many foods while modifying the food product to give so much more flavour. Anecdotally, I believe there might be benefits from probiotics: reduction of bloating, curing hangovers. On the other hand there are many other benefits that companies claim, such as: improving gut health, digestion and immunity.

How To Ensure Youre Getting Probiotics From Your Kombucha And Other Sources

Health Ade Kombucha Probiotic Tea, Pomegranate

If youre health conscious, youre probably trying to include enough pre and probiotics in your diet to keep your gut healthy. You probably also know that its better to get them from food and beverages if you can. However, with so many products on the market, it can be hard to choose which ones have the right kind of probiotics for you.

Here are a few ways you can choose the right kombucha and other fermented foods to help keep your gut flora in balance:

Always look for raw products once fermented foods are exposed to heat, most if not all of the probiotics they once had will be gone.

Look for naturally fermented products this helps to ensure that theres a good mix of gut healthy bacteria and other microbes in the product.
Buy from a reputable manufacturer. While natural is good, theres a lot that goes in to producing safe natural products home brewing can certainly be done safely, but professionally brewed products are reliably safe.
Read the ingredients list on your fermented and natural products you should be able to tell what each ingredient is. If there are lots of complicated chemical names, it might not be the right product for you

Dont buy hard kombucha for the probiotics feel free to enjoy it for the taste, but you should know that there wont be many probiotics left.

We Really Dont Know Anything About The Specific Health Effects Of Kombucha Either

The studies referenced above talk about the health impacts of probiotics in general, but there is no scientific evidence for the probiotic benefits of kombucha, Jaspan says.

One reason for this is that theres no telling how many live probiotics are in a single bottle of kombucha. One popular kombucha brand, for example, states on its label that at time of bottling, a 16-ounce serving contains 6 billion probiotic organisms from three strains. The caveat? Per the FDA, while claims like this must accurately reflect the total number of these organisms in a drink which FYI are typically added after the fermentation process, so that manufacturers can measure themtheres really no way to know how many are alive and how many are dead. Plus, even probiotics that are alive at the time of bottling might be dead by the time you drink the kombucha. Consumers dont really know how many probiotics are in any given bottle.

We have a bit more information about the levels of antioxidants in kombucha. A 2020 study in Antioxidants looked at the chemical profiles of various types of kombucha fermented for different amounts of time. Researchers found that while levels of polyphenols and flavonoids varied significantly depending on what kind of tea the kombucha was made from and how long the kombucha fermented, all types did have significant levels of these antioxidants. Thats likely good news, but we cant say for sure what it means.

Do All Fermented Foods Contain Probiotics

Now, weve already told you that fermented foods contain probiotics, as evidenced by the list above. If this makes you wonder if all of your fermented favorites are reliable sources of probiotic goodness, youre not alone.

The short answer to that question is, unfortunately, no.

In many cases, foods that would contain probiotics because of the fermentation process are treated with heat, usually in a process known as pasteurization. While pasteurization helps to make some foods safer to eat, a side effect is that the process kills off good bacteria that could be beneficial to our bodies.

Its only products that are not treated with heat or chemicals like raw kombucha that have the live bacteria that we know as probiotics.

So, if you want the best probiotic food sources, look for products that are labeled raw or live culture. Although pasteurized fermented foods may be a tasty part of a varied diet, they might not contain any significant number of probiotics at all.

Different Types Of Probiotics

There are about 30,000 named species of bacteria. Only 400 to 600 of these species naturally occur in the human intestine.

Different probiotic sources contain different strains of these bacteria. Some of which are human strains, while others are not. An effective supplement should contain only human strains. Fermented foods on the other hand often dont contain human strains.

The most common bacterial strains used in the fermentation process of yogurt are bacterial strains found in cows milk. These strains work well in yogurt, but they cant settle down in the gut. Instead, they are temporary guests until your next bowel movement. This means that they cannot achieve the same health benefits as human bacterial strains.

Human strains, however, can settle down in the intestine where they can get to work to support your health. Some of the most well-known human bacteria species include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia, and Bacillus.

However The Jury’s Still Out On How And Whether Probiotics Actually Work

Probiotics: Kombucha Tea vs. Water Kefir | PuraTHRIVE- Thomas DeLauer

Some benefits of probiotics are well documented and generally agreed upon by experts. For example, a 2006 review of 25 previously conducted randomized controlled trials in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found that probiotic supplementation helped treat antibiotic-associated diarrhea, likely by replacing probiotic bacteria in your gut that antibiotics kill off.

Other than that, though, the evidence is shaky. A 2019 review in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at 45 previously conducted studies on the impact of probiotics on various aspects of health. The authors found that probiotic supplements do seem to increase the amount of healthy bacteria in the gut, although it’s unclear whether this amount of healthy bacteria remains after a person stops taking the supplements. They also found evidence that taking probiotics might help fight the common cold, but didn’t find solid evidence that probiotics help protect against or fight the flu, lower the incidence of heart disease and its risk factors , or help with diabetes prevention and management. Probiotics may also fight against vaginal infections by increasing levels of “good” bacteria in the vaginal area. And, there’s evidence that probiotics might help relieve GI discomfort , but it’s unclear how.

That’s a lot of information, but the takeaway is that while probiotics have potential, there’s still a lot to learn about how they work and how they might affect our health.

Read Also: What Is The Benefit Of A Probiotic

Are There Probiotics In Hard Kombucha

Another common question when it comes to the question of what kind of probiotics are in kombucha is about hard kombucha, whether it has probiotics in it, and if so, what kind of probiotics it has.

Unfortunatelywhile hard kombucha can be deliciousbecause it has alcohol in it, most if not all of the naturally occurring probiotics will be gone. Thats because alcohol is very good at sterilizing things, and that means its also good at killing bacteria. Unfortunately, alcohol doesnt know the difference between good bacteria and probiotics and the kind that can make you sick.

If you want to enjoy kombucha that gives you a little extra kick, consider one that has cannabis added, or add it yourself, so you can be sure youre still getting a natural, raw product and can control the quality and quantity of the alcohol. The alcohol will still affect the probiotics in the brew, but at least you can control the other factors.

Humm Probiotic Kombucha Zero Sugar Variety 10 Pack Peach Tea & Raspberry Lemonade No Refrigeration Needed Keto

Features :

2 BILLION PROBIOTICS, GUARANTEED: Kombucha traditionally offers gut health support through fermentation, however, not all kombucha brands contain probiotics. Humm is proud to guarantee 2 billion probiotic cultures in all of our products, which is a lot more than the other guys can say. We wont name names

WHY PROBIOTICS: The main job of probiotics is to keep your gut microbiome balanced and healthy by fighting off bad bacteria that can lead to sickness. Probiotics help support your bodys fight against symptoms like bloating, gas, digestive and skin issues, and inflammation.
ZERO SUGAR: Our proprietary process eliminates sugar during fermentation, making it only 10 calories per can.
100% REAL & VITAMIN B12 PACKED: Did you think wed stop at 2 billion probiotics? Our zero kombucha sugar also contains vitamin B12 to boost energy and support overall wellness. Real fruit, real flavors, certified organic, non-GMO, vegan, keto-friendly, and gluten free.

SHELF STABLE: No sugar means theres nothing for the good bacteria to continue feeding on, so no refrigeration is needed. But as the taste experts, we still think Humm Zero is best served nice and cold. Cheers!
VARIETY: Contains 4 cans of Raspberry Lemonade and 6 cans of Peach Tea

Additional Info :

How Long Do Probiotics Stay In Kombucha

The good news about naturally brewed, raw kombucha is that it really is its own best preservative. The mildly acidic nature of kombucha helps to ensure that no harmful bacteria or fungus grows in kombucha, but it also keeps the healthy probiotics alive for a long time.

You might have noticed that other acidic foods and beverages like kefir, yogurt, kimchi and sauerkraut also have a faintly acidic flavor. Thats because they are made by the same process and have the same natural preservative quality.

In fact, kombucha can be stored for several months in the fridge and will taste just as good when youre ready to drink it.

Why Is Acetic Acid Bacteria Not Probiotic

Anyone who has done kombucha knows that it requires an open lid. Kombucha is powered by acetic acid bacteria and they will not survive long term with a closed lid or airlock.

The human body most likely does not have any acetic acid bacteria within the body according to one large study. The main reason is because acetic acid bacteria requires access to oxygen to survive and obviously oxygen is in short supply in the intestinal tract. Lactic acid bacteria does perfectly fine without oxygen. Studies on the intestinal tract, oral cavity and skin show no acetic acid bacteria. The oral cavity and skin do have oxygen, but they don’t seem to be present there either.

So as far as the human body is concerned, live acetic acid bacteria is most likely not probiotic.

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Kombucha Vs Probiotic Drinks: Whats The Difference

Kombucha vs. Probiotic Drinks – whats the difference between these two beverages? Its a common topic of discussion and debate amongst the health and wellness community.

As these products continue to trend, you may be wondering how they stack up against each other. What beverage packs the most punch, from probiotic count to stomach survival? In the following article, we cover everything you need to know about choosing between these two products – check it out!

What Are Probiotic Drinks?

First off, lets cover the basics – what are Probiotic Drinks, exactly? Probiotic Drinks are chilled beverages that combine water, natural juice and a variety of good bacteria. They tend to be bottled with a level of probiotics that meets the daily CFU requirements of the particular strain inside.

These drinks are specifically designed to create the optimal environment for the probiotics inside to survive the journey from production to your gut. Key to this is nutrients for the probiotics to feed on, but not too much , a chilled environment and moisture.

Another key factor unique to PERKii Probiotic Drinks is the patented micro-shield technology. This supports the probiotics journey through the gut by actively resisting stomach acids up to 10,000 times greater than non micro-shield probiotics.

What Is Kombucha?

So how do Probiotic Drinks stack up against Kombucha?

1. Contains More Probiotics

2. Survival Through The Stomach

3. Great Taste

Does Kombucha And Probiotics Improve Digestion

Given that the cultures added into kombucha meet the requirements to be probiotics, drinking kombucha may improve digestion. Probiotics are known to aid in improving irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, including bloating, gas, and constipation.However, some people sensitive to fructose, a sugar found in kombucha, may aggravate digestive symptoms.

Also Check: Best Probiotic For Small Intestine

How Could Kombucha Help

Probiotics, which are found in kombucha are known to help regulate the gut microbiome. However, many manufacturers add live cultures which dont necessarily meet the criteria to be a probiotic. It is important to read the labels to ensure Live Active Cultures or Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus strains were added to the product.

What Affects The Caffeine Levels In Kombucha

Costco Review – Zero Sugar Probiotic Kombucha by Humm

If you are home brewing kombucha, it can be hard to gauge its caffeine levels. There are some factors involved that may cause varying caffeine content in homebrewed kombucha. These include:

Length of time the tea is steeped.

Type of tea used and how it is harvested .
Water temperature when the tea is steeped.
Water and tea leaf ratio.

Kombucha offers a wide selection of flavors that you can enjoy. It can help restore the joy of enjoying some delectable but low-in-caffeine drinks for people with anxiety disorders, especially if they hate the unpleasant taste of decaffeinated drinks.

While kombucha offers an attractive set of potential health benefits, caffeine-sensitive individuals must consider taking some precautions. For a more calculated caffeine intake, its best to opt for store-bought kombucha that indicates the amount of caffeine on its label or the companys website.

How Many Probiotics In Health Ade Kombucha Finally Understand

A colony ofbacteria and yeast form a film on top of the liquid. SCOBY can be used to ferment more kombucha. Lactic-acidbacteria can be used as a probiotic. You can make your own starter at home, or buy a starter kit from your local health food store. If you dont have access to one of these starter kits, you can still make a good starter by following the instructions below.

You will need a small amount of water and some sugar. The sugar will help the bacteria to grow and the water will act as an incubator for the yeast to live in. Once the starter is ready, it can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week. or Buy a Starter Kit from Your Local Health Food Store.

Why is kombucha not considered probiotic?

Kombucha Is Marketed As Being Beneficial For Gut Health Because It Contains Probiotics

Kombucha is a fermented tea, made by combining brewed tea with a SCOBYa symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, sometimes called a “mother” and some sugar. Over the course of a week or two, the sugar feeds the bacteria and yeast and the drink ferments into tangy, slightly fizzy kombucha.

Although the SCOBY, which is solid and kind of gelatinous, is removed from the kombucha before drinking or packaging, many strains of bacteria remain in the drink. “It is known that many bacterial species that grow in the kombucha may have a probiotic function,” Rebecca Jaspan, MPH, RD, CDCES, a New York-based dietitian tells Health.

A quick refresher: The bacteria and other microbes living in your body make up what’s called your microbiome, a relatively new area of study in health and nutrition science. Mostly, researchers are focused on the gut microbiome and how it affects health. “Probiotics are live bacteria that inhabit your GI tract,” which houses your gut microbiome, Jaspan says. “They are known as ‘good’ or ‘helpful’ bacteria” Probiotics are found naturally in fermented foods like kimchi, yogurt, and kombucha, and also sold as supplements. A diverse microbiome, with lots of probiotic bacteria, is thought to improve digestion, enhance immune function, support skin health, and lower your risk of certain diseases.