Kombucha is one of the most buzzed-about beverages. The TikTok famed beverage gained popularity among celebs for its claimed health benefits, and the fame is growing by 16% annually. However, consuming this rich, fizzy tea during pregnancy is still controversial.
Let’s see if it is safe for pregnant women in this blog.
What is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a bubbly ancient drink from China that has a unique tart-sweet flavor. It is the probiotic-rich fermented sweetened black tea. Probiotics are live microorganisms in fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and yogurt.
The tea is widely available in different flavors- lemongrass, cranberry, ginger lemon, and peach. According to various studies, it can be a vital component of a balanced diet, especially for gut health.
Using Kombucha in dressed-up drinks is a good choice for the festive season as it lowers the alcohol content. A glass of the beverage paired with a meal is okay as the drink is acidic and has low alcohol content.
Ingredients of Kombucha
The main ingredients of Kombucha are black or green tea, sugar, water, a liquid like juice, and a starter culture. A sugar level below 4 grams per serving works well.
The starter, sometimes called a mushroom, is the source of probiotics-producing live bacteria. It also infuses tanginess into the beverage. The fermentation process activates bacteria by feeding it sugar.
The caffeinated drink is sold in tinted bottles and refrigerated to keep the beneficial probiotics-producing bacteria alive. And, if you love making your drink, try homemade Kombucha and create your unique flavor.
‘Health is Wealth’
Everyone has a different perspective on health. So, you need to check if it meets your criteria. Research is going on to understand the benefits and effects of Kombucha on health. Kombucha tea contains antioxidants such as selenium, carotenoids, and vitamin C, which assist in repairing cells. It also promotes heart health by decreasing LDL and boosting HDL. Kombucha reduces plaque buitup in arteries.
However, all types of Kombucha have significant levels of antioxidants and probiotics that may vary from high to low.
While this effervescent beverage has too little alcohol, young children, lactating, and pregnant women are asked to avoid raw and unpasteurized Kombucha. Pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals should avoid caffeine. The drink may cause acidity and infection in pregnant women. However, it can help by improving the luteal phase length when someone is trying to conceive. Here is a helpful Fertility food checklist to increase your chances of achieving your pregnancy goals.
