Does Kombucha help with weight loss and how to take it?

Kombucha is a generalized name for the symbiosis of yeast fungus and bacterial agents. On its basis, a special drink is made, Kombucha, which has many beneficial effects: from reducing the risk of developing oncological and cardiac pathologies to improving the functioning of the digestive tract. However, nutritionists also appreciate kombucha for the fact that it promotes weight loss.

There are many subtleties regarding the preparation and intake of kombucha, which must be followed in order to get rid of excess fat deposits and avoid the appearance of side effects.

Does kombucha help you lose weight?

Kombucha is fermented product , which contains probiotics &8212; cultures of beneficial bacteria. According to some nutritionists, Probiotics promote weight loss with regular use.

Therefore, one can only rely on the mechanisms of interaction of kombucha with the human body and indirectly judge the effect on fat cells.

Kombucha helps restore adequate intestinal microflora, inhibits the growth and reproduction of various pathogenic agents. Kombucha is also rich enzymes , which improve the cleavage and subsequent absorption of nutrients, normalize the secretion and reabsorption of bile. Similar properties, according to Irish scientists , lead to the suppression of chronic inflammation in the walls of the large intestine, which is one of the leading causes of obesity.

It is also important to note that the tea mushroom-based drink contains many organic acids (including acetic acid). Similar composition, based on the results of Japanese research , causes a decrease in body weight (when taken for 12 weeks), reduces the total volume of abdominal (the most dangerous) fat and waist circumference.

Nutritionists recommend using green tea as the basis for the drink, not black tea. According to scientists from the University of Guadalajara (Mexico) , green tea contains a lot of antioxidants and other biological compounds that contribute to weight loss and improve a number of metabolic parameters (glucose, cholesterol and its fractions in blood plasma).

8 more proven beneficial properties of kombucha can be found here →

How to make a drink?

The recipe for cooking kombucha does not present great difficulties and is quite feasible at home. To do this, you need to:

1. Choose a suitable container. A glass jar or enameled metal tableware is ideal. It is forbidden to use other containers, as chemical reactions may occur that inhibit the activity of the tea mushroom.
2. Make sweet strong tea. This will require 1000 ml of boiling water, 2 tablespoons of green (preferably) or black tea and 5 tablespoons of sugar. After brewing, the tea should be infused for 15-20 minutes. It is necessary to ensure that the sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Strain, removing all tea leaves, and let cool to room temperature (from 18 to 25 degrees).
4. Place a previously cooked or store-bought kombucha in a container with tea. The volume of the mushroom should be about 10% of the total volume of the liquid.
5. Close the neck of the container with gauze or an air-permeable paper napkin. It should be tightly fixed with an elastic band to avoid accidental penetration of insects (flies, mosquitoes, etc.).
6. Put the composition in a dark place and let it stand for about 5-10 days. During fermentation, the vessel should not be exposed to sunlight or heating elements (for example, a window sill with a battery will not work).
7. After a specified period of time, remove the kombucha and transfer it to a new brewed tea to prepare the next portion of the drink.
8. Pour the composition into a glass vessel. Store in the refrigerator. In order to increase the "carbonation" of the drink, you can keep it in the refrigerator for 4-6 days.

How to take it?

It is extremely important to take a tea mushroom drink correctly.

Classic scheme reception looks like this: drink 200-300 ml of the drink 2-3 times a day. It is extremely important to observe the time interval between meals.

The drink is consumed 1-3 hours before meals or 1-1.5 hours after. With excessive intake, undesirable side effects may develop. The duration of treatment should be from 7 to 14 days.

Some nutritionists recommend other drink intake schemes in order to increase the effectiveness of faster weight loss. For example:

1. Replacing any meal during the day (it is best to choose breakfast) with a kombucha-based drink. In this case, the volume should be 350-450 ml.
2. Reduction of the daily energy value of the diet by 25%.
3. Complete rejection of sweet and flour products.

The duration of such a method is no more than 3 days.

How to store?

A number of simple recommendations should be followed to protect kombucha from premature death from various diseases:

1. Use only glass or enameled metal utensils.
2. Store the prepared drink at a temperature of 18 to 25 degrees. A decrease in the indicator below 17 degrees provokes the growth of blue-green algae, an increase is fraught with activation of fermentation processes in the drink, increasing the strength and reducing beneficial properties for the body.
3. Do not cover the drink (during cooking) with a tight lid. Kombucha should always have access to indoor air.
4. Do not immerse the kombucha in boiling water. It is necessary to pre-cool it, otherwise the death of the tea mushroom will occur.
5. Do not allow tea leaves and sugar crystals (in undissolved form) to affect the tea mushroom. This causes the development of "burns" and inhibits growth.
6. Any changes in color, consistency, or the appearance of an unpleasant odor are a sign of the unsuitability of the drink for consumption.

If the kombucha is not used for a long time, then it should be pre-dried, which will preserve the product for up to 2 years. To remove the liquid, you need to:

1. Remove the kombucha from the liquid and put it on a dry plate.
2. Cover with gauze or a cloth napkin, which will protect the product from insect exposure.
3. Leave the kombucha for 10-15 days to dry. Exposure to sunlight should be avoided. Every 1-1.5 days, the product must be turned over to achieve uniform drying.
4. After the described time interval, wrap the kombucha in paper and put it in a dry place for storage.

Precautions

In addition to reducing body weight, kombucha reduces the level of total cholesterol (and its fractions) and glucose in blood plasma, prevents the development of cardiovascular and oncological diseases, slows down aging and improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

However, all properties have been tested on animals, convincing scientific evidence regarding the effects on the human body are completely missing.

It is also important to note that rare cases of human deaths have been reported, the cause of which could be precisely kombucha. For example, one case report from the USA marks the death of a person from lactic acidosis.

The main side effects include:

1. Allergic reactions. Are found in 5% of cases of use.
2. Liver damage with impaired bilirubin metabolism. Externally manifested by jaundice staining of the sclera, mucous membranes and skin.
3. Dyspeptic disorders. The most common symptoms are: increased gas formation in the intestines, vomiting and nausea.
4. Headaches and muscle pains.
5. Deterioration of dental health. The drink contains a lot of organic acids that destroy tooth enamel. Against the background of such a pathological process, caries manifests itself. For the purpose of prevention, it is recommended to rinse the mouth after each intake of kombucha.
6. Lactic acidosis. Is observed with excessive and prolonged addition of the drink to the diet.
7. Manifestation of severe bacterial infections. The condition is typical for people with immunodeficiency (HIV infection, long-term treatment with glucocorticosteroids and cytostatics).
8. Inhibition of pharmacological effects of drugs. Undesirable interaction with narcotic analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and antibiotics is described.

Conclusion

Thus, kombucha helps to reduce body weight presumably by affecting various mechanisms of adipose tissue formation. Its effect on the human body has been little studied.

It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the drink and the process of its preparation in order to prevent spoilage of the product and avoid loss of useful properties. Before starting treatment, it is advisable to consult with a specialist in order to minimize the likelihood of complications.