Kombucha: Health Benefits and Simple Ways to Use It
Kombucha is a lightly fizzy, tangy drink made by fermenting sweetened tea — usually black or green tea — with a culture of bacteria and yeast known as a SCOBY, short for "symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast". Fans enjoy it as a lighter alternative to soft drinks, and it is often described as a probiotic drink, thanks to the live cultures involved in its fermentation. Interest in kombucha has grown quickly, but the science has not kept pace with the enthusiasm. Most of the research so far comes from laboratory and animal studies, with very few trials in people, so many of the health claims made for kombucha are not yet supported by strong evidence. This article looks at what kombucha is, what it may offer, and how to enjoy it safely — with the careful, evidence-based perspective that any health topic deserves. Key Takeaways Kombucha is fermented sweetened tea, usually black or green tea, cultured with a SCOBY — a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast — that produc...