It's the question of many avid booch brewers—does kombucha give you energy? Kombucha contains many energy-boosting vitamins and minerals, and a small amount of caffeine. All of this combined help give you that additional kick when you feel drowsy.
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How Much Caffeine Is in Kombucha?
There are trace amounts of caffeine in this fermented beverage. On average, you can expect 15 mg of caffeine in a serving of bottled kombucha. The caffeine in kombucha comes from the tea leaves used to brew the tea. Black tea has more caffeine than green and white tea and is the most popular kombucha tea base.
Where Does the Energy Come From if the Caffeine Content Is So Low?
Kombucha’s energy source doesn’t come from caffeine. It comes from its high iron content, abundant B vitamins, and probiotics.
- The iron in this fermented tea binds with oxygen to facilitate the movement of red blood cells around the body, from the heart to the blood vessels. This enables organs to work efficiently and to their total capacity.
- Vitamin B plays a critical role in converting carbohydrates and fats into glucose. It also facilitates metabolizing the body’s primary cellular energy source, adenosine triphosphate (ATP for short). Vitamin B occurs naturally in kombucha, growing naturally alongside healthy bacteria during the fermentation process.
- Probiotics also give you an energy boost. Inflammation can cause nutritional malabsorption, leading to free radicals going haywire in your gut’s microbiome and affecting your overall health. Probiotics combat this, helping prevent inflammation and diminishing bad bacteria in your gut, making you feel healthier and more energetic.
Does Kombucha Help With Fatigue?
Yes, kombucha, just like other fermented foods, can help with fatigue. It may also help revitalize low energy, promote weight loss, lower blood sugar, and improve your immune system. People have even used this fizzy drink to deal with chronic fatigue syndrome. That said, fatigue can be attributed to several issues in the body, and kombucha isn’t meant to be a cure-all for any type of fatigue.
Kombucha helps combat fatigue that is caused explicitly by digestive system-related issues. This fermented drink is high in antioxidants, enzymes, polyphenols, good bacteria, acetic acid, and live cultures that protect the intestinal lining and aid in food digestion and nutrient absorption.
Drinking kombucha regularly can slowly flush away harmful gut bacteria and free radicals contributing to fatigue. However, its wellness effects will differ from person to person depending on their pre-existing health conditions.
Is Kombucha Considered an Energy Drink?
Kombucha isn’t an energy drink per se, but it can certainly boost energy levels. Some kombucha brands add extra caffeine to boost consumers’ energy. Browse through your local retail store and see what’s available—with so many options, you’ll find one that has what you’re looking for.
Can You Drink Kombucha at Night?
You can enjoy this fermented drink anytime, from the early morning to late at night. The caffeine content is low enough to drink late at night without worrying about sleep issues (unless you’re especially sensitive to caffeine).
While I encourage you to drink kombucha to enjoy its cleansing effects and health benefits daily (or nightly), it’s best to limit your consumption of kombucha to 16-oz a day, maximum.