Antioxidants are substances that fight free radicals, reactive molecules that can damage your cells.

Many scientists believe that antioxidants from foods and beverages are better for your health than antioxidant supplements.

Kombucha, especially when made with green tea, appears to have antioxidant effects in your liver.

Rat studies consistently find that drinking Kombucha regularly reduces liver toxicity caused by toxic chemicals, in some cases by at least 70%.

While no human studies exist on this topic, it does seem like a promising area of research for people with liver disease.

SUMMARY Kombucha is rich in antioxidants, and studies have shown that it protects rats’ liver from toxicity.

One of the main substances produced during the fermentation of Kombucha is acetic acid, which is also abundant in vinegar.

Like the polyphenols in tea, acetic acid is able to kill many potentially harmful microorganisms.

Kombucha made from black or green tea appears to have strong antibacterial properties, particularly against infection-causing bacteria and Candida yeasts.

These antimicrobial effects suppress the growth of undesirable bacteria and yeasts, but they do not affect the beneficial, probiotic bacteria and yeasts involved in Kombucha fermentation.

The health relevance of these antimicrobial properties is unclear.

SUMMARY Kombucha is rich in tea polyphenols and acetic acid, which have both been shown to suppress the growth of undesirable bacteria and yeasts.

Heart disease is the world’s leading cause of death.

Rat studies show that Kombucha can greatly improve two markers of heart disease, “bad” LDL and “good” HDL cholesterol, in as few as 30 days.

Even more importantly, tea (especially green tea) protects LDL cholesterol particles from oxidation, which is thought to contribute to heart disease.

In fact, green tea drinkers have up to a 31% lower risk of developing heart disease, a benefit that may also apply to Kombucha.

SUMMARY Kombucha has been shown to improve “bad” LDL and “good” HDL cholesterol levels in rats. It may also protect against heart disease.

Type 2 diabetes affects over 300 million people worldwide. It is characterized by high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance.

A study in diabetic rats found that Kombucha slowed down the digestion of carbs, which reduced blood sugar levels. It also improved liver and kidney function.

Kombucha made from green tea is likely to be even more beneficial, as green tea itself has been shown to reduce blood sugar levels.

In fact, a review study of almost 300,000 individuals found that green tea drinkers had an 18% lower risk of becoming diabetic.

Further human studies are needed to investigate the benefits of Kombucha for blood sugar control.

SUMMARY Kombucha improved several markers of diabetes in rats, including blood sugar levels.

7. Kombucha May Help Protect Against Cancer

Cancer is one of the world’s leading causes of death. It is characterized by cell mutation and uncontrolled cell growth.

In test-tube studies, Kombucha helped prevent the growth and spread of cancerous cells due to its high concentration of tea polyphenols and antioxidants.

How the anti-cancer properties of tea polyphenols work is not well understood.

However, it’s thought that the polyphenols block gene mutation and growth of cancer cells while also promoting cancer cell death.

For this reason, it is not surprising that tea drinkers are much less likely to develop various types of cancer.

However, whether Kombucha has any anti-cancer effects in people has not been confirmed. Further studies are needed.

SUMMARY Test-tube studies show that kombucha may suppress the growth of cancer cells. It is unknown whether drinking Kombucha has any effects on cancer risk in people, but many who drink Kombucha believe so.

8. Increased Vitality and Energy

Kombucha’s ability to invigorate people is credited to the formation of iron that is released from the tea during the fermentation process. It also contains some caffeine (although in very small amounts) and b-vitamins, which can energize the body.

Through a special process known as chelation, the iron released helps boost blood hemoglobin, improving oxygen supply to tissues and stimulating the energy-producing process at the cellular level. In other words, by helping the body create more energy (ATP), the ancient tea can help those who regularly drink it stay energized.

SUMMARY Kombucha is well known to increase energy levels.

9. Joint Care

Kombucha can help heal, repair and prevent joint damage in a number of ways. Kombucha is loaded with glucosamines, which increase synovial hyaluronic acid production. This supports the preservation of collagen and prevents arthritic pain. In the same way it supports joint collagen, it also supports collagen of the entire body and reduces the appearance of wrinkles on the skin.

SUMMARY Kombucha preserves the body’s collagen. It may help to remedy some arthritic conditions as well as improve skin tone.

10. Kombucha Is Healthy When Made Properly

Kombucha is a probiotic-rich tea with many potential health benefits.

You can purchase it in stores, about $4 per bottle, or make it yourself at home for less than $1 per gallon. However, be sure to prepare it properly. which is easy to do.

SUMMARY Commercially bottled Kombucha is expensive, home brewing Kombucha is safe, easy, and cheap to do.

The Bottom Line

Many people believe that Kombucha helps treat all sorts of chronic health problems. Unfortunately, human studies on the effects of Kombucha are few because such studies can cost hundreds of millions of dollars and thus evidence for its health effects are limited. The lack of such expensive scientific studies does not negate the probability that drinking Kombucha daily may improve your health. This belief is based also on the ample evidence that tea and probiotics support health, both of which are found in Kombucha.