Does kombucha help you lose weight

1. Does Kombucha help you lose weight?

2. Is diet drink Kombucha just a trend?
Recently, I have been reading a lot about how Kombucha is the new weight loss
wonder drink. New week - new weight loss wonder, right?
Let´s investigate if Kombucha lives up to the hype.
Kombucha is being used in China for over 2000 years and for hundreds of years
through Asia and Europe for its health benefits.
I started to drink and make my own Kombucha tea around 20 years ago. It seems
that now Kombucha is a trendy drink that is said to aid in weight loss. Is that true?
Preamble: Limits of our analytical thinking
We have learned to think in categories of cause and effect. Risks and benefits.
Therefore, we want to analyze and understand exactly how organic products work.

3. The advantage of industrially produced goods is that we know their chemical
structures. We can investigate how the individual components act in the body and
most of the time understand their biological action. Once we understand the biological
action we can conclude side effects and effects.
While synthetic remedies contain one or few active substances, natural components
like Kombucha can contain up to 70 different substances. We are not able to
understand all of the effects and interactions of the single components.
Just look at the market of synthetic vitamins for example. That´s a billion dollar
business. Even though lots(!) of money has been invested in researching how vitamins
work, companies until this day were not able to provide a synthetic vitamin that
delivers the same positive effects as i. e. an apple.
When it comes to organic substances, we have to accept that we will not fully
understand how they work and have to trust our own observations and those of our
elders.
That said, Russian scientist have done extensive research on the effects of Kombucha
and I will share their findings with you.

4. We will look at
What is Kombucha?
What benefits does it have?
Different opinions
Does it aid in weight loss?
How can I make my own Kombucha?
Where can I get supplies
What is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a functional food. Often referred to as "tea mushroom" it is really a
"symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast" (SCOBY). Kombucha is being made by
fermenting sweetened tea (green or black or a mix). The SCOBY spreads
vegetatively through sprouting or partition (fission).
The SCOBY produces a gelatinous substance at the surface of the tea.

5. If you dedicate yourself over the next 21-days and follow The 3
Week Diet as outlined, you will be walking around with 12 to 23
pounds of body fat gone from your waist, hips, thighs, belly and
butt. Your clothes will be looser, you’ll look healthier and more
attractive…and you’ll have more energy than you’ve ever had in a
long, long time.
The best food for good health to maintain the system of your body I
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6. The color can range from pink to dark brown, depending on the kind of tea that
has been used and the environment (temperature, sugar).
The origin is probably China where it has been used for over 2000 years. In
many European and Asian countries, Kombucha is being used as medicine and
power drink for hundreds of years.
Tea that has fermented to Kombucha tastes sweet-sour and a bit vinegary. It
contains bubbles. Also, it does contain a small amount of alcohol (similar to
alcohol-free beer, app. 0.5 %) so that it is not recommended for recovering
alcoholics. Because it contains sugar it is not suitable for diabetes patients.
The look of the SCOBY is irritating at first for most people. If your SCOBY had
ears it would be pretty painful for him. "Ugly pancake" is one of the nicer
descriptions of people who see it for the first time.
Benefits of Kombucha
Kombucha contains lots of bioactive substances: vitamins, minerals, enzymes,
organic acids and trace elements.

7. In Asia and Europe, Kombucha traditionally is used to harmonize the
metabolism.
Kombucha has strong detoxifying features
Strengthens immune system
Aids digestion
Natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory
Antiviral
Helpful for people suffering from arteriosclerosis and hypertonia
Supports the nervous system
Enhances the absorption of iron
Russian scientists carried out extensive research (Litvinow, Zakmann,
Danielova, Skarjan, Sukiasjan, Naumova, Barbancik, Konovalov, Ermoleva
and others) and found evidence that the antibacterial features of
Kombucha opens up a wide field of possible applications.
Opposite to other antibiotics, Kombucha does not come with side effects.
Usnic acid is responsible for the antibacterial effect.

8. The detoxifying effect is so strong that scientists found impressive amounts of
ecotoxins and pollutants (including heavy metals like mercury and lead) in the
urine of test persons after they consumed Kombucha.
Kombucha is said to prevent and fight cancer. I will not dig into that because
cancer is a life-threatening disease that has to be treated by experts. Recent
studies suggest though that the active component in Kombucha is glucaric acid
that is said to prevent cancer.
In any way, it makes the liver work more efficient, as the glucaric acid is an
inhibitor of bacterial enzymes that helps in eliminating glucuronic acid produced
by the liver.
Different opinions
There are also some critical voices about Kombucha. One must not forget that a
lot of the skepticism spread about Kombucha - like many other natural remedies -
originates from sources that have their own agenda.
A "warning article" (from a vendor of overpriced "wonder diet powder") I
recently read made me write this article.

9. Vendors make billions of dollars with supplements, weight loss aids and wellness
products. They have no interest in us switching to homemade remedies and
solutions that cost pennies and takes business away from them. Those who are in
favor of Kombucha mostly lack the funds to finance extensive scientific studies.
Let´s just keep in mind that raw chicken can kill us and that contamination of food in
unhygienic environments is a general problem - not a problem unique to Kombucha.
The common objections are:
Contains minimal alcohol
Contamination possible in unhygienic environments
Can mold
Read the report of the BC Center of Disease Control HERE
In my personal view: If you conducted studies on any other food product from your
kitchen your findings would be that unsterile environments can cause
contamination. Looking at the high number of food scandals and contaminants and
harmful substances found in food of the big manufacturers that does not seem to be
a problem that only applies to "homemade" - or kombucha.

10. Any product used wrong, produced wrong or produced in an
unhygienic environment can lead to problems.
While mold could be an issue if your Kombucha is kept very cold or contaminated by
dirty water etc - after over 20 years of experience I still have to see mold on my
cultures. Should the rare case happen I figure throwing it out just like any other food
that went bad will do the trick.
I find this objections reassuring as it just shows that even when people try to find
arguments against Kombucha they have a hard time coming up with more than
arguments that basically apply to every chicken leg.
Put in perspective I believe it is safe to say that Kombucha is unobjectionable and
harmless.
For what it is worth: Kombucha has been safety checked by the FDA.
Kombucha and Weight Loss
Kombucha is neither an appetite suppressant nor a meal replacement.

11. But the features of Kombucha make it a weight loss "weapon":
Strong detoxifying effect supports the liver that consequently has more capacity for
working on fat.
Poor digestion is a common reason for weight gain. Kombucha helps with that.
Balances intestinal flora.
Regulates appetite (also helpful for underweight people!), reduces cravings.
Speeds up metabolism.
Kombucha is not the "new wonder diet" but America discovering an ancient remedy.
None of this applies to store bought Kombucha!
When used for dieting, a glass of Kombucha like 30 minutes before dinner and lunch
has shown the best results.
Objectively, Kombucha is great and effective for losing weight. This is backed up by
lots of real success stories by people who use it.
Give it a try. You will notice the positive effects within 2 days.

12. Making your own Kombucha
Kombucha is very easy to make at home. It is also very inexpensive and low
maintenance.
I do not recommend the overpriced ready-made drinks from supermarkets. First of
all vendors had to change the recipe to remove/standardize the insignificant amount
of alcohol. Secondly, "real" Kombucha continues to ferment. To make sure that
vendors offer a consistent quality - even if the drink sits on the shelf for months -
they had to further tweak the drink.
Basically, the Kombucha sold in stores is not "alive" anymore. That makes me doubt
that the positive benefits are still provided. Also, Kombucha drinks sold in stores are
often overly sweet. They are pasteurized. Pasteurization kills beneficial micro-
organisms.
Personally, I did not notice any positive effects from ready-made Kombucha I bought
from stores and consumed in restaurants.
Every article on how to make Kombucha will tell you a bit of a different recipe. They
all work because your SCOBY does not demand much more than a warm place, a
clean storage to ferment, sweetened tea and a bit of time.

13. The only thing I disagree with: Most recipes will advise that you let the tea steep for
3-5 minutes. That is too short. You should let it steep for at least 15 minutes as the
SCOBY feeds on the ingredients dissolved from the tea leaves.
Do not use flavored tea.
If you are concerned about the high amount of sugar: Your SCOBY will "eat" most of
it. The end result is only lightly sweet. When too little sugar is added your SCOBY will
be hungry and your Kombucha will have a very vinegary taste. You can use regular
white sugar, but you will have the best results with cane sugar, organic sugar.
All you need to get started:
•1 SCOBY (will reproduce itself)
•Sugar (preferably organic, raw sugar)
•Black or green tea (or both, organic.... I use black tea only)
•Glass container for fermentation
•Bottles to store the drink (I advise to use glass bottles)
•Kitchen linen/cheesecloth or paper towel
•A rubber ring
•Optional: Strainer

14. How to ferment your own tea:
1. Wash your hands for at least 2 minutes without soap. You can use a bit of
vinegar, just no soap, especially not antibacterial soap.
2. Clean fermentation glass/container with hot water to remove any chemical
residue and clean a pot that can hold a gallon of water.
Do not use dishwashing detergent or any other chemicals. Your SCOBY is very
sensitive to chemicals.
3. Pour a gallon of (filtered if you can or else unfiltered) water into the pot and let
the water cook for 3-5 minutes. Many people skip that step and just pour
boiling water over their tea. As far as I know with the same good results.
4. Add black or green tea or both (6-8 bags per gallon). Loose leaves are often of
higher quality, but tea bags will work just fine.
Either way use boiling water. Steep for 15-20 minutes.
5. Dissolve sugar (1 cup per gallon).
6. Let the sweetened tea cool down and pour over your SCOBY.
Never use hot tea!
7. Fixate paper towel, cheesecloth or kitchen linen with a rubber ring on opening.
The SCOBY should be able to breathe and be protected from fruit flies.

15. 8. Wait 6-12 days. At a room temperature of over 20 degrees celsius, the
fermentation process will be quicker while at a colder place it might take more than
6 days. You will soon get a feeling for the right time. If you want to be sure you can
use test stripes (you will find in the store below).
9. Leave at least 10 % of the fermented tea drink with your SCOBY (20-30 % of the
liquid will result in the faster fermentation of the next batch).
10. Enjoy the remaining 90 % and ...
Repeat
1.
Clean your SCOBY with water. Remove discolored spaces if you like.
2. Put your SCOBY in the liquid you left over (the more of the finished Kombucha
you add, the faster the fermentation process starts) with the lighter side (freshly
grown) up.
3. Wash the SCOBY every time with water; wash the jar every few weeks.

16. General notes:
•The finished product should be stored in the refrigerator. Else it will continue to
ferment fast.
•Depending on your room temperature the Kombucha will ferment faster (warm) or
slower (cold).
•SCOBY should be stored in the refrigerator, only the finished product.
•Your SCOBY can look weird in different ways. He might look bubbly or discolored. All
of that is fine.
•Your SCOBY might sink to the bottom or swim on top. Both is fine. If it sinks to the
bottom, a new one will grow on top.
•Do not drink before 6 days.
•If your Kombucha tastes too vinegary you did not use enough sugar (and your
SCOBY was starving).
•Should your Kombucha ever smell weird or not produce a new gelatine layer pour
the Kombucha away, add 2-3 tablespoons of (organic!) vinegar and restart.
•Your SCOBY grows in light or dark spaces but should not stand directly in the sun.
•Treat him well and your SCOBY can last a lifetime.

17. •If you are going on vacation for a few weeks: No problem. Just leave your SCOBY at
a cooler place and pour the "overripe" Kombucha away when you are back home
and restart the culture.
•If your SCOBY gets too thick and big just remove the darker (older) side. You will
have to do that at one point as the SCOBY will grow too big.
•You will read different recommendations on how much you should drink. While you
should start with a little to offer your body the time to get used to the fermented
drink, you can basically drink as much as you want.
Kombucha supplies
As mentioned before, Kombucha is not only very easy and effortless to make but
also very inexpensive.
Final Verdict
As mentioned before, I am drinking Kombucha for about 20 years now. My personal
experience, as well as the experience of clients and friends, is only positive

18. •Used in the Asian culture for hundreds of years for its health benefits, Kombucha
can be made at home easy and inexpensive.
The drink is very helpful for anyone who wants to aid their digestion and strengthen
the immune system. Anti-inflammatory features enhanced metabolism and liver
function help to lose weight and result in normalized appetite.
Therefore, Kombucha is a helpful diet drink.