Kombucha Side Effects

Like most things on the internet these days, it’s hard to know what’s real and what is just the opinion of a guy named Chad writing in his parent’s basement. No shade to Chad, but we’d like to know the truth. There are so many mixed beliefs, especially in the world of health and wellness. So, we’re here to bust some of those myths and provide helpful information on the benefits of kombucha and possible side effects.

Myth Busting: What Does Kombucha Do?

Going down the rabbit hole, kombucha is claimed to cause anything from diarrhea, acne breakouts, allergic reactions, and mood swings. Although people may experience some of these issues after consuming fermented foods like kombucha, they are not a side effect of the product. They are a side effect of your body purging toxins in your system.

Ever taken antibiotics? Any binge drinking in college? (or in your 30’s… or 40’s… because, life. Amiright?) Tried to see how many days in a row you could eat nothing but Taco Bell? Ever been stressed? We get it. Life is hard and we’re all out here just doing our best.

Unfortunately, our bodies take the brunt of both the stressors and our not-so-healthy coping methods. And just like the elephant who never forgets, our organs store the damage inside us until we can find a way to heal.

Enter kombucha probiotics. Fermented food items are chock full of these good bacteria that are necessary for a healthy gut. But why do some people notice not-so-pleasant side effects when first consuming fermented foods?

Eliminating Toxins

Certain fruits and vegetables, as well as fermented or probiotic foods, can create what experts call a “Healing Crisis.” The more toxic build up in a body, the stronger the symptoms will be. The most common side effect people notice after introducing kombucha is digestive discomfort.

Because of depleted nutrients in our soil and a plethora of other issues we deal with in our present-day lives, most of us do not have thriving flora in our digestive systems. Because we are depleted, adding probiotics can create a bit of a stir (if you know what I mean…). Easing kombucha probiotics into your diet over time is a great way to build up good gut health. And you’ll be regular in no time. Trust us, we’ve been there.

Other side effects of a true healing crisis can include headaches, breakouts, sinus congestion, or even fevers and muscle cramps. The main culprit is the toxins hiding out in your liver and digestive tract. These toxins leaving your body are wreaking havoc on their way out. Our bodies are incredible healing machines. Experiencing these symptoms is the storm before the calm. We have to climb that mountain to get to the other side. Or something like that.

Ease into It

Although experiencing these symptoms is the only way to eliminate the yucky build-up. Sometimes it’s best to work through the purge slowly.

Here are a few ways to avoid the nitty-gritty of detoxing:

Start with small amounts of kombucha daily
Take breaks from fermented foods if necessary
Drink lots of purified water each day
Get your sweat on (saunas, walking, low-impact exercise)
Take hot baths with Epsom salt and herbs like lavender
Get some sunshine when you can
Make sure to eat your organic fruits and veggies
Avoid processed foods and foods high in sodium

Kombucha and Anxiety

We all know stress is one of the biggest mood killers ever. In this day and age, stress is super high. Although stress hormones are only one cause of anxiety and depression, it’s a big one. Kombucha can help, and I don’t know about you, but I’ll take all the help I can get. Here are 3 ways kombucha can help fight off the anxiety monster:

Happy Gut, Happy Brain

Scientists are now finding direct correlations between gut health and mental health. A healthy flora and fauna can be related to our brain function and happy chemicals such as serotonin. And who doesn’t like happy chemicals? Kombucha provides digestive enzymes and probiotics that give us that healthy gut microbiome. A great side effect can be improved anxiety and depression.

Vitamin Central

Thanks to the incredible fermentation process, kombucha is high in vitamins B1, B6, B12, C and essential minerals. These are bio-available and absorb easily into the body. They are also powerhouses for health and help stabilize moods. They can even block the feared stress hormone, cortisol, from wreaking havoc on your nervous system. Sign me up!

So Zen

Like other adaptogens, kombucha adjusts to provide exactly what your body needs. Adaptogens build up in our system over time and help our hormones stay balanced. They improve our body’s ability to respond and recover from stressors. Furthermore, they may help ease or reduce anxiety, depression, and insomnia.