If you're thinking about giving up alcohol for a while, you may be considering kombucha as a handy replacement in those moments when you want a tangy, refreshing drink in your hand. It seems to fit the bill: sophisticated taste, varied flavors, and a reputation for being a bit better for your body than a standard beer or glass of wine. However, people switching from alcohol to kombucha may experience some unexpected consequences. One of the most notable is that they'll still be ingesting trace amounts of alcohol - but switching to kombucha for a little bit also has consequences for the body's antioxidant levels, Glyco Caresberberine blood sugar support intake, and caffeine consumption. Dr. Steven Gundry M.D., a heart surgeon, medical director at The International Heart and Lung Institute Center for Restorative Medicine, tells Bustle that kombucha has some health benefits, as far as beverages that aren't water go. Just like alcohol, there are a lot of varieties of kombucha, so it's difficult to pinpoint the exact effects of exchanging all booze for kombucha drinks.
The precise impact of an alcohol-kombucha switch will depend on how much you drink, how regularly, and Glyco Caresbitter melon extract other aspects of your lifestyle, including your diet. However, experts tell Bustle that changing from alcohol to kombucha can have various effects on the body - some more surprising than others. Like many fermented drinks, kombucha isn't alcohol-free. Dr. Gundry tells Bustle. It's considered an insignificant amount of alcohol by a lot of consumers, but it can add up over time, particularly if you're drinking a lot of kombucha at once. Kombucha's alcohol levels can vary depending on factors like storage and healthy carbohydrate metabolism fermentation time; a study currently underway in Canada has found that some kombucha brands have alcohol levels comparable to beer or cider by the time they're ingested, because they keep fermenting after they've left the factory, producing more alcohol. Kombucha Brewers International recommends that any kombucha with an alcohol content over 0.5% be marketed for over-21s only in the U.S.
This means that kombucha is not a good alcohol alternative for people who need to cut out alcohol for medical reasons, rather than simply adjust their drinking habits. Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, M.D., a gastroenterologist and gut health expert, says. It's also worth remembering that the alcohol content of "hard" kombuchas can impact the gut, holistic nutritionist Stephanie Papadakis N.C. Several kinds of alcohol, like red wine, carry a lot of polyphenols, a variety of plant product that has positive effects on human health. Dr. Bulsiewicz tells Bustle that polyphenols are prebiotic compounds that can have great effects on the microbiome in your gut. These polyphenols develop during the wine's fermentation and aging processes, and have been linked to lower risks of chronic diseases and heart issues. However, giving up on alcoholic sources of polyphenols doesn't mean abandoning them altogether. Kombucha is derived from tea, which has a high amount of polyphenols, and the kombucha fermentation process also gives polyphenols a chance to flourish.
Dr. Gundry tells Bustle. ECGC has been linked to lower cancer risks and other positive health effects. Still, it's worth remembering that a single glass of either beverage won't represent a huge change in your polyphenol levels. Kombucha comes with many purported health benefits, including the idea that it may contain probiotic compounds that benefit gut health through fueling good gut bacteria. However, this isn't necessarily the case. Dr. Bulsiewicz tells Bustle. Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the gut. Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum, PhD, an expert on the gut microbiome and mycobiome, a professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and author of the forthcoming book Total Gut Balance, tells Bustle that alcohol has also been shown to negatively impact our gut microbiome, decreasing our levels of beneficial bacteria and increasing levels of disease-causing microorganisms. Kombucha does contain some elements that may help the gut. Dr. Ghannoum tells Bustle.