Kombucha is a delicious fermented tea drink that naturally contains a small amount of alcohol. It’s still considered a non-alcoholic drink as the volumes are so low, unlike its counterpart hard kombucha. If that’s left you wondering: where does regular kombucha end and hard kombucha begin? Then, this is the read for you. Discover more about the ins and outs of hard kombucha and whether or not it’s your cup of (fermented) tea.
The raised alcohol content could undoubtedly leave you feeling tipsy. And unfortunately, although hard kombucha may be gentler on your gut than some alcoholic drinks, it can still give you a hangover the morning after.
Is hard kombucha good for you?
Unfortunately, as it is classified as alcoholic, hard kombucha is not ‘good’ for you, but it does contain less sugar and carbohydrates than most other alcoholic drinks such as lager, cider or wine, coming in at around 100-160 calories. Regular kombucha contains naturally occurring bacterial cultures and yeast that make it an ideal drink to help boost gut health. However, hard kombucha contains fewer probiotics due to the higher alcohol content. It’s also worth adding that hard kombucha is typically green tea or black tea based, so while it may contain a small amount of caffeine, it will likely contain the benefits of antioxidants, too. Be sure to check the nutritional information on the bottle for more information.
How is hard kombucha made?
One of the biggest differences between hard kombucha and regular kombucha is the time it takes to make. Hard kombucha is fermented longer with more sugar and yeast to bump up the alcohol content. You might also find that some kombucha brands will add artificial or natural flavourings to add to the taste.
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FAQ
Is hard kombucha better for you than alcohol?
Does hard kombucha give you a buzz?
Can I drink hard kombucha every day?
What kind of alcohol is in hard kombucha?
Is kombucha good for hangovers?
While not a miracle health cure, kombucha is good for hangovers by adding healthy – and delicious – antioxidants into your body’s ecosystem. Kombucha can help with detoxification, antioxidation, and promote a healthy immune system.
How much kombucha is too much?
Above 120 ml per day. It is good to start with smaller doses until you reach a reasonable amount and do not exceed 120 ml. Everything also depends on the preparation and concentration of this drink that has been shown to bring several health benefits.
Is hard kombucha bad for You?
Nonetheless, hard kombucha also comes with all the usual downsides of consuming alcohol, adds Shah. Drinking too much in one sitting (which for women means having more than one drink per day, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture) can give you that dreaded hangover.
What happens if you drink kombucha?
For instance, those who have weakened immune systems, such as people with cancer, kidney disease or HIV, can develop serious complications from drinking kombucha ( 20 ). Although rare, there have been reported cases of severe allergic reactions, acidosis and liver complications due to potentially contaminated kombucha consumption ( 21 ).