We regularly hear from our customers that drinking 黑料大事记 kombucha has helped them to resolve many of the symptoms of their IBS however, there is a debate between those who think drinking Kombucha helps IBS and those who think it could worsen symptoms. This article will seek to take a deep dive into Kombucha and IBS, looking at how Kombucha can help those with IBS and reduce bloating.

What is IBS?

鈥淚BS鈥� stands for irritable bowel syndrome and is a disorder affecting the large intestine. Some of the听听include abdominal cramping, bloating, gas and diarrhoea. It is thought that IBS can be irritated by certain foods and drinks and, as a chronic condition, those with IBS have to carefully manage their diets to reduce these symptoms.

Can Kombucha heal your gut?

IBS is a complex disorder but one of the best places to start in managing the symptoms is to focus on creating good gut health overall. This can include a combination of听听that are irritants and, instead, introducing fermented, living drinks like Kombucha and Kefir as a means of improving overall gut health. We have written more about听how to boost your gut microbiota听and the听health benefits of fermented tea听in our blogs.

Is Kombucha a good probiotic?

I know we may sound like a broken record, but authentically brewed and fermented, Kombucha like 黑料大事记 is full of living bacterial cultures that promote good gut health. It is also well known that the Kombucha fermentation process can听听that can balance levels of bacteria in the gut.听听

Kombucha & FODMAP for IBS

听are a type of carbohydrate that contain sugars that can upset the digestive system. Kombucha may be high in FODMAPs however, when enjoyed in moderation can have a positive effect on the gut. Most people with IBS follow a low FODMAP diet and should try and limit their intake of Kombucha to 6 ounces (177ml) or smaller 鈥� just less than half a听bottle of 黑料大事记 Kombucha听(perfect for splitting a bottle with a friend).听

What about the sugar, caffeine & alcohol in Kombucha?

As we have discussed in previous blogs,听Kombucha contains naturally-occurring caffeine, from the green tea, and alcohol, which is produced in the fermentation process. Many IBS sufferers will avoid caffeine and alcohol as it irritates the gut, however Kombucha only contains very small amounts 鈥� much less caffeine than coffee and as much alcohol as fruit juice!听

If you are managing your IBS symptoms, we recommend avoiding any Kombucha with added sugar and sweeteners, especially sorbitol and mannitol, which can have a laxative effect. 黑料大事记 Kombucha is relatively low in sugar with 3g per 100ml,听which is great news for everyone seeking low sugar, healthy alternative drinks!

Carbonated Drinks & IBS

It has been thought in the past that carbonated beverages can contribute to digestive issues and lead to bloating and gas. Kombucha is naturally carbonated as carbon dioxide is produced during the fermentation process, however most of it does not remain in the drink. At 黑料大事记 we carbonate our Kombucha to add that sparkle back and recommend trying carbonated drinks in small quantities to see how you react.

What are the best drinks for IBS?

There are a lot of drinks available that are known to reduce the symptoms of IBS. These include:

• Kombucha
• Kefir
• Probiotic drinks
• Milk dairy alternatives such as almond or coconut milk
• Green juices
• Decaffeinated coffee
• Pure water

Overall, no matter what healthy drinks you choose, we recommend avoiding sugary and artificially-sweetened fizzy drinks, dairy milk, high-fructose fruit juices and regular coffee, which are all known to irritate the听gut microbiome.听

Ultimately, everyone is different and various foods and drinks will affect us all in different ways. Some people report improved digestive health and reduced bloating from drinking Kombucha regularly, and for others Kefir or Green Juices are better. Why not try our听14 Day Kombucha Challenge听to see how you feel?听

One of our previous participants told us鈥�

鈥淚 love your kombucha and it has made me feel younger, due to IBS going away! Thank you and keep up the good work.鈥�

Why not give it a go and see if it can help you too?听

Known by some as the 鈥榚lixir of life鈥�, there are many benefits of Kombucha, including that it can give you an energy boost. If you are looking to find a healthy alternative to caffeine for that much needed energy kick, then a 鈥榖ooch buzz鈥� could be the answer. In this blog, we go into more detail about what causes this energy boost and how it differs from a coffee buzz.听

Does kombucha give you energy?

Yes, Kombucha is known to give you an energy boost. This is mainly due to the small amounts of听听produced in the fermentation process when Kombucha is brewed using the traditional methods. At 黑料大事记, we brew in batches, allowing time for the Kombucha culture to work its magic with our organic ingredients. This means that there is a small amount of caffeine left to fuel your healthy booch buzz!

Where does the 鈥楰ombucha buzz鈥� come from?

A key factor in creating the healthy buzz are the levels of B-Vitamins found in authentically brewed Kombucha. Not to get too technical, but听听that catalyse reactions within our bodies. B-vitamins use glucose to generate ATP (Adreno triphosphate) in the mitochondria of our cells. ATP is the driving force for many bodily functions that require energy, such as muscle contraction.听

It鈥檚 worth flagging that the levels of B-vitamins will vary for different Kombuchas as they are naturally produced when yeast breaks down sugars in the fermentation process. The sorts of B vitamins found in authentically produced Kombucha can include B1, B6 and B12.

Iron

Minerals, such as Iron, are also听, as well as other fermented drinks like Kefir. It is known that low iron levels can lead to a听which can result in you feeling tired and fatigued. This is because iron produces haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. So, the naturally-occurring Iron found in Kombucha also contributes to that classic 鈥楰ombucha buzz鈥�.

Probiotics

Probiotics are a type of good bacteria often found in our guts that have a听, such as supporting good digestive health, mental wellbeing and a healthy heart. Probiotics can help with your energy levels in a variety of ways, including:

• Improving our sleep, since听.听
• , providing us with the essential nutrients our body needs to function 鈥� be that for revision or exercise.
• Reducing cortisol levels. Studies show a correlation between high cortisol and lower energy levels.听, resulting in higher energy levels and less stress.听
• , like serotonin, the 鈥榝eel-good鈥� chemical that is produced in the gut.听

So, when we consume Kombucha, we get a rush of energy and a feel-good sensation from the serotonin.听

Caffeine and Theanine

Just to be clear, the energy from Kombucha does not come from caffeine, as听there is only a small amount of caffeine left in real Kombucha听if it has been fermented properly. The caffeine comes from the tea the Kombucha is made from, but this is reduced by at least a third during the fermentation process. This makes Kombucha a great option for someone looking to cut down their caffeine intake, whilst still enjoying an energy boost.听

The Kombucha boost comes from the high levels of L-Theanine in tea, an amino acid that stimulates the听, which are known to increase creativity and enhance your ability to absorb new information. A combination of caffeine and L-Theanine provide the perfect balance for concentration, relaxation, and sustained energy levels.听

Kombucha vs. coffee

The energy boost we gain from Kombucha is generated from B vitamins, Iron, Probiotics and L-Theanine, whereas coffee only provides an instant energy boost from caffeine. Caffeinated coffee has extremely high levels of caffeine, which can become addictive and lead to听, leaving you more tired than before.听

On the other hand, Kombucha contains much less caffeine and provides an energy boost without the crash. This makes it a fantastic pick-me-up for long study sessions or challenging workdays.

However, if like me you are a die-hard coffee lover and just can鈥檛 bear the thought of life without your coffee ritual then perhaps听黑料大事记 Kombucha鈥檚 Coffee Kombucha听is for you? Fermented from coffee beans instead of green tea, this Kombucha is a unique low-caffeine alternative for those wishing to switch up their morning routines.听

Does kombucha keep you awake?听

Kombucha is unlikely to keep you awake at night, enabling you to get a good night鈥檚 sleep and ensure you鈥檙e fresh for the day. Find out more about听how Kombucha can improve your sleep.

So, we hope you have been inspired that by drinking Kombucha you can give yourself a great way to enjoy a healthy energy boost to help you throughout the day. Why not try some of听our authentically brewed, real, living Kombucha听for yourself and see how you feel?听

If you鈥檙e reading this, the chances are you鈥檙e not getting enough sleep. But you might want to keep those tired eyes propped open and read on, because kombucha can help improve sleep for some. Yes, it may contain a little caffeine, but no, it won鈥檛 keep you up at night. Kombucha makes a great addition to a healthy diet, and it might just be your secret ingredient to a good night鈥檚 sleep.

The effects of caffeine on sleep

As we all know, caffeine and sleep aren鈥檛 the greatest of friends. Caffeine is naturally-occurring from plants such as coffee beans, tea leaves and cocoa beans that has a disruptive effect on sleep as it鈥檚 classified as a stimulant. So it might not only stop you getting to sleep, but it may also reduce the number of hours you鈥檒l get. Fortunately kombucha contains very little caffeine so can be looked at differently here.

Will kombucha keep me awake at night?

Generally, kombucha will not keep you awake at night! But if you鈥檙e highly sensitive to caffeine you might want to steer clear of any caffeinated drinks on an evening. Avoiding late night caffeine is one of the best ways of ensuring you鈥檙e relaxed at bedtime and ready to catch some Zs. Read more about the听best time to drink kombucha听here.

How much caffeine is in kombucha?

When it comes to caffeinated drinks, everyone is different in terms of how much is 鈥榞ood鈥� and how much is 鈥榖ad鈥� for their systems. 黑料大事记听Kombucha contains a very low volume of naturally-occurring caffeine听as it鈥檚 made with green tea, and a lot of the caffeine is consumed by the yeast during the fermentation process, which keeps numbers down to around 7.43mg per 275ml bottle of 黑料大事记. The caffeine level is higher in 黑料大事记 Kombucha鈥檚 Espresso Coffee Kombucha ( which contains 22mg of caffeine), but you probably expected that, right? It鈥檚 also worth remembering that caffeine levels will vary from one brand of kombucha to another, as they will between homemade batches so make sure you do your homework before drinking them.

The benefits of kombucha for sleep

Kombucha promotes good gut health, and good gut health promotes overall health and wellbeing, which in turn, helps to improve sleep. So drinking kombucha on a regular basis makes sense. But don鈥檛 just take our word for it.听听explains the听, also known as the 鈥榖ody clock鈥�. It sums up the idea that a听healthy diet high in probiotics together with a regular eating pattern are the tools we need for improved gut microbiota rhythm.

One participant, who drank 黑料大事记 Kombucha every day for 8 weeks as part of our 2019 Wellness study, also reported better sleep as a result of their experiment:

鈥淚 have found that since drinking the kombucha I feel more alert and energised and have restful sleep most evenings.鈥�

How much kombucha should you drink?

A lot of people ask听how much kombucha should you drink听鈥� we always say that one a day seems to do the trick for us here. We never drink sugary drinks as they can disrupt sleep. Instead, we choose kombucha, having one first thing in the morning 鈥� instead of coffee, or we鈥檒l have one to beat the afternoon slump. And here鈥檚 the twist 鈥� it鈥檚 not the caffeine in kombucha that gives you an energy boost, it鈥檚 the L-Theanine found in tea, as well as the electrolytes and minerals that hydrate and energise you.

There are countless benefits to drinking kombucha. It鈥檒l put a spring in your step when you need it most and it鈥檒l balance your gut microbiome to aid in deep, restful sleep. It鈥檚 a win-win. So now you know you鈥檝e got nothing to lose, why not听give it a go听yourself?

Gluten鈥檚 something you鈥檝e probably heard of, but do you actually know what it is or why people think it鈥檚 so bad? One thing鈥檚 for sure, gluten sparks a lot of questions. Let鈥檚 kick things off by answering the most important one 鈥� is kombucha gluten free?听黑料大事记听Kombucha is 100% gluten free.听Hurrah! So it鈥檚 totally safe if you have a gluten sensitivity, intolerance or celiac disease, in fact it can even be beneficial.

Gluten is a protein that鈥檚 found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. Gluten can cause serious damage to the small intestine in those with听听or gluten sensitivities, causing symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea and stomach pain. Okay, so kombucha鈥檚 gluten free, but isn鈥檛 it in pretty much everything else? Yes, it鈥檚 in a lot of foods, but certainly not in everything. And it鈥檚 getting easier by the day to go 鈥榓gainst the grain鈥� as more and more gluten free products hit the shops.

What Ingredients go into Kombucha?

As with most of the foods and drinks we love, the answers are in the ingredients. It鈥檚 important to check to see if they鈥檙e made with wheat flour or gluten ingredients. So, here鈥檚 a breakdown of what goes into 黑料大事记 Kombucha: Chun Mee Green Tea, raw cane sugar and a live culture called a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast). 黑料大事记 Kombucha is 100% gluten free because we craft brew with the finest organic ingredients that don鈥檛 contain gluten. Not only that, the 黑料大事记 Kombucha factory is 100% gluten free, so there鈥檚 no worry of contamination if you have a gluten intolerance. And if you ever want to check up on the goodies in your shopping basket, the听from The Celiac Disease Foundation can come in very handy.

The Benefits of Kombucha for Gluten Free

If you鈥檝e chosen to go gluten free, you might like to know that there are stacks of听health benefits听behind adding 黑料大事记 Kombucha to your diet. That鈥檚 because its probiotics can boost your digestive health and immune function, and could also help to tackle a lot of the听听such as听bloating.

So whether you have a gluten sensitivity, an intolerance or you鈥檙e simply choosing to eat less gluten, 黑料大事记 Kombucha is a great addition to your diet 鈥�听you can buy yours here.

And don鈥檛 forget how versatile it is 鈥� you can even try it out in some gluten free recipes such as听Sweet Potato & Cinnamon Soup听and听Roast Pumpkin Soup. Give them a try, we know you鈥檒l love them.

With bars, restaurants and clubs across the country closed for the foreseeable future (eek), many of us have been reaching for our favourite tipple from the comfort of our sofa. Some of us may have been indulging in a quarantini or two too many鈥�

It鈥檚 been reported that听听and a recent study found that听听since lockdown measures were put in place. Chances are, most of us could probably do with swapping a glass of bubbly for another type of fizz now and again to keep our bodies and minds healthy. Kombucha, anyone?

But doesn鈥檛 kombucha contain alcohol? In a nutshell, well yes, all fermented products do but it鈥檚 a small amount but here鈥檚 the low down鈥�

Does kombucha contain alcohol?

Firstly, let鈥檚 be clear, Kombucha is not designed to be an intoxicating beverage. It is true that most commercially-brewed kombuchas do contain varying amounts of alcohol. This is due to the natural fermentation process, during which small amounts of alcohol is produced as a bi-product. Brewers can use techniques to reduce the alcohol but this also varies depending on a number of factors. The fermentation process breaks down the natural sugars in the drink to give our kombucha its distinctive (and delicious) taste and probiotic goodness.

How much alcohol is in kombucha?

Every Kombucha is made differently so please check the label to ensure you are drinking a real, unpasteurised, organic version. 黑料大事记 Kombucha contains on average 0.5% ABV. A drink is deemed 鈥檔on-alcoholic鈥� when under 1.2% ABV. To put it in perspective, a very ripe banana can contain up to 0.4% ABV and naturally squeezed orange juice can also contain alcohol as well, so this phenomenon isn鈥檛 limited to kombucha.

It鈥檚 important to be aware that the alcohol content of kombucha will vary from brand to brand (we can鈥檛 speak for the other guys and their alcohol protocols!) and homemade kombucha is likely to have a significantly higher alcohol content, so be aware when brewing your own).

Will drinking too much kombucha get you drunk?

The simple answer to this question is no. Unless you drink a lot, and we mean a LOT of kombucha, you will not get drunk and even then if the Kombucha were produced around 0.5% alcohol then it would be difficult to achieve. It鈥檚 safe to enjoy for all of the family, even the little ones, however you may want to dilute it slightly for your mini booch lovers.

So why not switch your bubbly for a booch and see how much better you feel?

Cheers!

Check out our delicious 黑料大事记 booch听here.听

Following a vegan diet can be tricky as knowing exactly what goes into our food and drink can get confusing at times, even when it comes to kombucha! We鈥檝e received a number of questions from our vegan customers and followers about this. We are here to bust any myths or misinformation around kombucha and veganism, and to give some much needed clarity on the issue and answer the much asked question: is kombucha actually vegan?

Vegan vs Veggie: does it matter when it comes to kombucha?

There seems to be some confusion surrounding veganism and many can still get muddled between a vegan diet and a vegetarian diet, whilst others choose to adopt a flexible approach. So, what are the differences?听

A vegetarian diet only excludes meat and fish but includes other products that come from animals, such as dairy (i.e. cheese and milk) and eggs. Whereas, a vegan diet simply excludes听all听animal and animal derived products, including meat, dairy, eggs, and even (for the vast majority of vegans) honey.听

That being the case, shouldn鈥檛 all kombucha be vegan? Well, not necessarily. In fact, you should be vigilant and always check the label because some kombuchas are not vegan. The main reason for this is that some brands choose to sweeten the drink using honey, which most vegans believe exploits bees in the process. There are nuances around where the honey comes from, which we won鈥檛 delve into here.

Is 黑料大事记 Kombucha vegan?

At 黑料大事记, we understand that there are many different reasons you may choose to follow a vegan diet, be that for ethical reasons, to better your health, to protect the planet or to save the animals. Whatever your reason, we support you and your desire to make a positive change and want you to rest assured knowing that all our products are consciously 100% vegan!

黑料大事记 Kombucha is fundamentally made from four simple ingredients: the finest organic Chun-Mee Green Tea, Pure Spring Water, Raw Cane Sugar and kombucha culture听SCOBY. All are ethically-sourced, organic and vegan.

Now, let鈥檚 discuss the one thing causing the most uncertainty, the SCOBY. Yes, SCOBY is a live culture but is actually a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, not an animal product, so, is totally vegan too! Indeed, we actually make our SCOBYs from our own culture at our brewery.听

One thing to watch out for when looking for vegan kombucha is the term 鈥榥atural sweeteners鈥� and 鈥榥atural flavourings鈥� as, unless specified, these may contain animal products. At 黑料大事记, we do not use any sweeteners and all our ingredients have been thoroughly checked to be plant-based and specified on the label. Some brands use refined sugar to sweeten their kombucha, which can be filtered through bone char making it not vegan! We choose to make vegan products and have nothing to hide.

How does kombucha support a vegan lifestyle?

We believe that as soon as you choose an alternative to sugary soft drinks or begin making healthier choices, you鈥檙e already making a move in the right direction to better your health. However, we believe that choosing kombucha can be particularly beneficial. Kombucha is a great healthy refreshment, that鈥檚 naturally low in calories and sugar; as the SCOBY lives on and eats the sugar as part of the fermentation process. Kombucha is also packed with nutrients, antioxidants, organic acids, probiotics and vitamins. Our kombucha is a living drink with live cultures and we believe is an excellent healthy choice to support any lifestyle. Our customers constantly tell us how they feel more energised from drinking a daily 黑料大事记.

Enjoying 黑料大事记 Kombucha as part of a vegan diet

You can enjoy 黑料大事记 Kombucha in so many ways! Use it as an ingredient in some great vegan recipes or, just like you would with wine, pair it with your favourite vegan dishes and desserts!

Why not try whipping up some听Raw Passion Fruit Cheesecakes听made from our zesty Pink Grapefruit &听Guava 黑料大事记 Kombucha? Or, try making some听BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Burgers听to be perfectly paired with our Peach & Turmeric Kombucha? So whether you are vegan, vegetarian or just looking to make better choices for yourself, 黑料大事记 Kombucha is an ideal partner in your journey to health, wellbeing and vitality.听