Boost your weight loss with kombucha

You’ve probably seen kombucha at your grocery store or local coffee shop. This fermented black tea is everywhere now.

And, if you haven’t already tried it, the time is now…

Especially, if you’re looking to lose a little extra weight. In fact, kombucha is a great way to kick any diet plan into high gear without taking any of those dangerous stimulant drugs for weight loss.

So, if you’re ready to lose weight, skip the questionable diet aids and try kombucha along with a sensible eating plan instead.

The weird tea that many swear by

Kombucha is basically a fermented concoction of black tea, bacteria and sugar.

Sounds appetizing right?

Maybe not but its benefits will make you a believer and a regular drinker.

This tea dates back to ancient China where it was used for everything from healing arthritis to treating cancer.

But, it also boasts properties that can help you lose weight and get the shape you’re looking for by…

Promoting a healthy gut – Kombucha is one of the richest sources of probiotics available. Containing gluconacetobacter, acetobacter, lactobacillus and zygosaccharomyces, kombucha helps repopulate your gut with good bacteria, keeping you regular, boosting digestion and improving your body’s ability to process the food you eat.

Helping your body detox – Kombucha acts as an antioxidant and its active components help detoxify your liver so that you can clear out the waste. Combined with the good bacteria kombucha supplies your body, it helps you get your diet off on the right foot.

Boosting energy levels – You can also get an energy boost from kombucha to help you reach your fitness goals faster. You see, kombucha not only contains B vitamins that help fight fatigue and the mid-afternoon dip, it also contains iron. The iron in kombucha helps your body’s red blood cells deliver more oxygen to your muscles and brain so you feel more alert and energetic.

Overall, the benefits of kombucha are obvious and studies have reported beneficial changes in weight and appetite by adding it in to your diet.

Where to get it and what to expect

You can brew your own kombucha at home, using a special starter kit that you purchase online.

But, for most people, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience with home-brewing or the fermentation process (it can be a little intimidating), you should start out by purchasing kombucha either at your grocery or natural health food stores. A bottle will run anywhere from $3 to $5 and you can pick from a number of flavors.

In its natural state, kombucha can be quite sour and a surprise to new drinkers. You may want to try a few different brands and flavors to find one that works for you but remember, the more sweet the flavoring, the more sugar you’ll be getting. To limit your sugar intake, it’s best to stick to lemon, lime or ginger varieties.

Because kombucha is fermented, it contains a minute amount of alcohol. If your kombucha is prepared correctly, the amount of naturally occurring alcohol will be less than 0.5 percent. And it’s important to keep it cold and stored in your refrigerator to prevent further fermentation and alcohol production.

It’s also recommended to consume only about four ounces of kombucha a day or you might experience stomach discomfort.

If you decide to try your hand at brewing your own kombucha, be sure to do the research and follow safety guidelines to prevent food-borne illness. Just remember, as with most fermented or home-brewed drinks and foods, kombucha isn’t recommended for pregnant women and anyone whose immune system is compromised.

Otherwise, grab your bottle of kombucha today and kickstart your diet the right way. You’ll feel better and more energetic, naturally.

Sources:

1. Bhattacharya S, et al. Protective effect of kombucha tea against tertiary butyl hydroperoxide induced cytotoxicity and cell death in murine hepatocytes. — Indian J. Exp Biol 2011; 49:511–524.

2. Effects of chronic kombucha ingestion on open-field behaviors, longevity, appetitive behaviors, and organs in c57-bl/6 mice: a pilot study. — Nutrition