Is Kombucha Good for Diabetics

Not many are aware of what kombucha is. But yes, it is quite beneficial for people having diabetes. The popularity of kombucha as a healthy drink for people with diabetes is soaring with every passing day.

Kombucha is a fermented beverage made using sweetened tea and placing a mat of bacteria, yeasts, and cellulose into it. The mat placed in this sweetened tea is called S.C.O.B.Y, which is an anagram for Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast. 

The S.C.O.B.Y ferments the mixture using the sugar present in the sweetened tea and creates organic acids, antioxidants, Vitamin B, enzymes, and probiotics that are beneficial to the body.

Kombucha is sour, slightly sweet, and tangy to taste.

Kombucha tea is often confused with mushroom tea, but the two are not related at all.

Is Kombucha Good for Diabetics?

Kombucha tea has a lower content of natural sugars and calories. The low sugar and calorie content makes kombucha tea a superb substitute for sodas and colas for people with diabetes.

Sodas and colas are artificially sweetened drinks, whereas kombucha tea is all-natural packed with health as well as nutritional benefits.

Yes, drinking kombucha tea is good for diabetes patients as it not only reduces blood sugar levels and increases the insulin production in the body.

5 Benefits of Kombucha

Kombucha possesses a lot of nutritional and health benefits if included in a diabetes diet. The following are the benefits of kombucha

  1. Reduce blood sugar levels- Research studies conducted on diabetic animals have shown that kombucha tea intake can reduce blood sugar levels positively.
  2. Reduces toxin levels in the body- Another study conducted on laboratory rats shows that regular intake of kombucha can reduce the toxin levels in the body, liver in particular, by about 70%
  3. Prevent free radical damage- Kombucha prepared from green tea is best suited for people having type 2 diabetes. Green tea is rich in good antioxidants and can prevent free radical damage to the liver and other vital organs.
  4. Reduces bad cholesterol- Kombucha tea is known to have nutritional properties that help reduce bad cholesterol and LDLs and increase the levels of good cholesterol and HDLs.
  5. Contains flavonoids- Tea contains flavonoids that provide body protection against diseases such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, and a host of other cardiovascular diseases. Flavonoids also help fight free radicals and protect body organs from free radical damage.

Some FAQs about Kombucha and Diabetes

Listed below are a few faq about kombucha and diabetes, kombucha tea and diabetes-

Is it ok for diabetics to drink kombucha?

Yes. Kombucha can prove to be beneficial for people having diabetes in many ways. It contains a large number of antioxidants and nutrients.

Kombucha has less calorie and sugar content. People with diabetes can substitute colas and sodas with kombucha as it contains natural sugars and has health benefits instead of artificial sweeteners present in colas and sodas.

It is ok for people with diabetes to drink kombucha.

Can type 2 diabetics drink kombucha?

Just like people with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes can also drink kombucha tea.

People with type 2 diabetes need to maintain their sugar levels and heart health, weight, and so on. Kombucha tea is also a rich source of antioxidants and nutrients that help maintain blood sugar levels, ensure good heart health, and manage weight.

And, diabetes patients can always substitute artificially sweetened colas and sodas with natural sugar-containing kombucha tea.

Is kombucha high in sugar?

It is necessary for people having diabetes to practice moderation while eating most food items as sugar present in them can spike their blood sugar levels. A single serving of kombucha can contain up to 28 grams of sugar.

The sugar content of kombucha differs from brand-to-brand. Some kombucha teas are high in sugar, and some have low sugar content. 

Brands with low sugar content are the best kombucha brands for diabetics.

Does kombucha raise blood sugar?

Kombucha is available in two varieties- it is either made from black tea or green tea. Kombucha tea made from green tea has antioxidants that reduce the levels of blood sugar in the blood.

According to a study based on diabetic rats, it is a proven fact that kombucha can slow down the digestion rate of carbohydrates, facilitating the slower release of sugar into the bloodstream. Therefore, lowering blood sugar.

Apart from lowering blood sugar, drinking kombucha tea can improve the functioning of the kidneys and liver.

Does kombucha spike insulin?

No, kombucha tea does not spike insulin. 

Based on a study conducted in the year 2018, kombucha tea is known to reduce the blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C levels in the body and promote insulin production.

How often should you drink kombucha?

Moderation is the key to a successful diabetes diet.

As per the Centers for Disease Control, it is safe to consume up to 4 ounces of kombucha tea once or thrice a day.

Summary

Along with all the benefits for people with diabetes, researchers have found that kombucha has other health benefits as well.

In general, drinking kombucha tea is known to boost the immunity system that in turn helps the body combat a host of diseases. Kombucha also helps in reducing candida yeast that causes skin infections and other allergies.

Kombucha is a rich source of probiotic bacteria. Probiotic bacteria is good for the body as it promotes digestion and helps restore the intestinal health as well.

Oxidative stress, which is one of the causes of cancer, can also be reduced by regularly drinking kombucha tea.

Although known to benefit a lot, some people might also be allergic to kombucha. Such people should avoid drinking it or practice moderation to drink this tea if they do not notice any side effects.

Kombucha can either be brewed at home or purchased from stores. Doctors and health experts always recommend store-bought kombucha rather than home brewing on your own. Buying kombucha tea from reputable brands and owners is always recommended.

If you opt for home brewing your kombucha tea, you ought to take utmost care to avoid contamination of any k. Contaminated kombucha can cause health hazards rather than doling out health benefits.

It is necessary to follow the prescribed safety guidelines while home brewing kombucha. According to the experts, kombucha should be brewed in glass bottles and not in vessels made of ceramic and other materials because there is a fair chance of toxins releasing when brewing kombucha in a ceramic or another material vessel.