[Effects of Kombucha] Reasons Why Famous Stars Choose Kombucha

Hello, I am Jinny, a pharmacist.

Kombucha is a beverage that has gained popularity, known for being favored by Hollywood stars like Madonna and Miranda Kerr. Last year, it was mentioned that BTS member Jungkook frequently drinks it, causing a shortage of the product. Now, you can easily find it in grocery stores, convenience stores, and franchise cafes. Do you know what this beverage is and what its benefits are?

Kombucha is a beverage made by fermenting green or black tea with added sugar and a unique symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). This fermentation process enriches it with microorganisms, yeast, and compounds like glucuronic acid, leading to various potential health benefits. Today, I'll introduce you to the advantages of consuming kombucha, based on existing research.

The first benefit that comes to mind when thinking about kombucha is detoxification. Detoxification refers to the process of eliminating toxins and waste products that accumulate in the body. This concept has gained attention, especially in today's world, where exposure to chemicals and pollutants is common.

In 2009, Gharib reported on a study that investigated kombucha's detoxification activity against the body toxicity caused by trichloroethylene, a commonly used solvent in household cleaning agents.

Blood sugar and blood lipids are not only indicators of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases but are also closely monitored by people for their dietary management, especially those following popular diet trends such as intermittent fasting, ketogenic diets, and FMD diets, which aim to suppress rapid increases in blood sugar.

Another significant benefit of kombucha that has garnered attention in the academic world is related to blood sugar and blood lipids. In 2012, a paper was published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, reporting the advantages of kombucha consumption in suppressing blood sugar spikes and improving blood lipids.

As previously explained, kombucha's unique feature is its fermented beverage obtained through the symbiotic fermentation of microorganisms and yeast. Consequently, kombucha is known to contain various physiologically active metabolites and exhibit antimicrobial activity, which allows it to be stored for an extended period without spoiling. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that kombucha may also possess antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microorganisms.

In 2021, a study published in Molecules investigated the antimicrobial activity of kombucha fermented beverage against pathogenic microorganisms, including yellow grape coccus that causes food poisoning, pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis, and pathogenic Escherichia coli.

Lastly, I'd like to share an interesting anecdote about kombucha. Kombucha is known to be a fermented beverage with its origins in the ancient Manchuria region. Its name, "kombucha," is believed to have its etymology from the Japanese pronunciation of the name of a Silla (an ancient Korean kingdom) doctor, Kim Mu (金武). According to records, in the year 414, during a visit to Japan, Kim Mu treated the king's illness with the knowledge from his apothecary, and it is speculated that it was during this time that Kim Mu introduced kombucha to Japan.

Today, we've explored various benefits of kombucha reported in the scientific literature. While kombucha offers numerous advantages and a refreshing taste, it's worth noting that it can be quite acidic. Therefore, it's recommended to consume no more than three glasses per day.

I hope you have a healthy day both physically and mentally. This was Jinny.