Most kombucha is vegan by default, because the only ingredients are tea, sugar, and a SCOBY. There are, however, some instances where kombucha may not be vegan: White Sugar: It may surprise you, but some white table sugar, which we use in the 1st fermentation, isn't vegan.
Yes, SCOBY is a live culture but is actually a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, not an animal product, so, is totally vegan too!
Probiotic-rich foods are a delicious way to include more beneficial bacteria in the diet. Even without eating dairy, vegans can enjoy an array of fermented foods and drinks that boost their gut health and overall well-being.
Kombucha tea is a fermented drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast. To make the drink, bacteria and yeast must first grow together to form a culture. The culture is added to the sugar and tea. Then the mix is allowed to ferment.
Is Kombucha Vegan or Vegetarian? Inherently, kombucha is both vegan and vegetarian. Kombucha is made by fermenting tea using specific yeast, bacteria and sugars. Depending on the manufacturer, the flavors are either added after the fermentation process or steeped with the tea during the fermentation process.
There are a few populations that should never ingest kombucha. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, and individuals with liver or kidney disease, HIV, impaired immune systems, and alcohol dependency should avoid kombucha.
"Everything should be enjoyed in moderation. While a glass of kombucha is A-OK, drinking multiple servings every single day may not be the best choice," Manaker says, noting that it might invade the space of good ol' H2O, can contain some caffeine from the tea, and could do a number on your teeth due to its acidity.
Kombucha Health Benefits
Advocates say it helps your digestion, rids your body of toxins, and boosts your energy. It's also said to boost your immune system, help you lose weight, ward off high blood pressure and heart disease, and prevent cancer. But there's not a lot of evidence to support these claims.
Increasing beans and legumes in the diet can significantly increase the amount of physiologically useful dietary fibre we consume which can enhance colonic function3 and encourage the growth of healthy bacteria.
Level 5 vegans are those who are seen as incredibly committed to the vegan lifestyle, and are often hailed as “extreme vegans”. Level 5 vegans go to an extensive effort to follow a vegan lifestyle that is free of any type of animal product or animal exploitation.
So is kombucha vegan? Most kombucha is vegan by default, because the only ingredients are tea, sugar, and a SCOBY. There are, however, some instances where kombucha may not be vegan: White Sugar: It may surprise you, but some white table sugar, which we use in the 1st fermentation, isn't vegan.
Kombucha to the rescue! Thankfully, we're learning that animals are not the only way to get B12. Fermented food is rich in B12 because of its ability to be synthesized by bacteria. Regularly consuming Kombucha will ensure that your levels of B12 are remaining high even if you're a strict vegetarian or vegan.
Kombucha contains vitamins B1 (thiamine), B6 & B12. All of these are known to help the body fight depression. They also improve mood and concentration. If you wonder why Kombucha makes you feel good, B vitamins are the most likely answer.
While kombucha itself is not a laxative, it still may make you poop shortly after drinking it. This is because it contains both probiotics and water. Probiotics and water together help speed up the movement of food through the digestive tract.
The reason that many people feel good after drinking kombucha is because it's a healthy drink full of antioxidants, amino acids, probiotics, and B vitamins, all of which have been found to improve mood and reduce symptoms like depression and anxiety after eating or drinking them.
Kombucha contains organic acids and natural probiotics, which 'have been shown to improve the skin barrier and affect skin hydration', and maintain the natural balance of the skin, so less breakouts!
Kombucha can help regulate the metabolism, increasing the speed at which your body burns calories. This prevents carbs from getting stored in the form of belly fat. Metabolisms that run at a consistent rate use calories as they enter the body and limit how much belly fat you have to work off later!
Although caffeine is naturally found in kombucha, it is extremely minimal, averaging around just 15mg per serving – barely noticeable to even those sensitive to caffeine.
Mike mentioned that kombucha never tastes good after a cup of coffee. The theory is that pairing bitter foods with higher-acid foods isn't pleasant, and the floral and fruity notes of the kombucha are lost.
Liver & Kidney Function - Kombucha acts as a filter, detoxifying your body from the residue left behind in the organs from processed food and aiding in the removal free radicals. Most toxins are fat soluble, so it takes the liver more time to get rid of them.
Many bottles of commercially prepared kombucha are 16 ounces, like GT's Synergy. That means if you're drinking the whole thing, you're drinking more than medical experts recommend.