4 June 2010
Ask It: Kombucha Craze
amoononcecame asked: How do you feel about Kombucha? Actual benefits, or just a new craze?
Though I don’t ever drink it, I actually really like the taste of kombucha.
What in the world is kombucha? To simplify it a bit, it’s tea fermented by a complex of yeasts (simple fungi) and bacteria. It tastes sort of sour and vinegar-y, almost a bit alcoholic. It’s definitely an acquired taste, but I think it has a unique appeal.
Kombucha is praised by some as a magic elixir and has been claimed to do everything from helping hair grow to boosting energy.
So is kombucha good for me? Of course, none of those claims are backed by science whatsoever. The acid that supposedly does all the magic (glucaric acid) can also be found in — what do you know?! — plain ol’ fruits and vegetables. Plus, there are a few drawbacks to kombucha. The tea can become contaminated, and it’s usually sweetened — meaning you’re getting an extra dose of sugar with all that “magic.”
What’s the bottom line? If you like kombucha for the taste, go ahead and drink up (just watch that added sweetener). But if you’d rather pass, trust me, you’re not missing out. Kombucha is yet another ancient food that we’ve commercialized and placed all kinds of health claims on. But if you’re eating real, whole foods, you don’t need any kombucha magic.
