Is kombucha OK for kids?
Posted by nexbaau on 3rd Jun 2020
Yep, we get it – water is best to keep kids healthy and hydrated. But sometimes plain old H2O gets a big fat H2-NO. You need something that feels like a treat without giving them a giant dose of sugar.
Unfortunately, sugar-free drinks aren’t always what they’ve cracked up to be. But that’s where kombucha comes in. Kids love it because it tastes great, and parents love it because it’s sugar-free and chock full of healthy stuff.
So, is kombucha OK for kids? Let’s find out.
Can kids drink kombucha? Is it good for them?
Yes! The amazing thing about kombucha – and the reason it’s one of our favourite drinks ever – is that it’s loaded with health-giving, gut-loving probiotics (AKA good bacteria). These probiotics help both little and big bodies to digest food and create important vitamins.
They’ve also been linked to a bunch of health benefits, including boosting your immune system and improving allergy and asthma symptoms.
And when it comes to introducing probiotic-rich foods (like kombucha) to kids? Well, recent research published in the Journal of Pediatrics and Pediatric Medicine gives them the big thumbs up. BAM!
But you do need to choose your kids’ kombucha wisely. Shop-bought kombuchas are usually carefully monitored and undergo a controlled fermentation process. This means they end up with little or no alcohol and caffeine in them.
Homebrewed ‘booch, on the other hand, is created in less controlled environments (as anyone who’s had the pleasure of an exploding ‘bucha bottle will testify). For example, some studies have found homemade kombuchas can contain as much as 3 per cent alcohol! That’s about the same as a mid-strength beer, so it’s probably not something you want to give to your kids.
What is kombucha made from?
We know you’re worried about exactly what goes into the food and drinks you give your kids, so we’ve made it easy for you. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s in kombucha and how it’s made.
Traditional kombucha usually contains three ingredients:
- Tea
- Sugar
- Live cultures, known as a SCOBY (which stands for Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeasts).
Kombucha-makers combine the three ingredients, then leave the mixture alone to do its thing (a process known as fermentation). During this fermentation:
- The cultures scoff all the sugar and caffeine in the brew (especially with longer fermentations like Nexba’s 40-day brew!).
- They produce organic acids, vitamins (in particular, Vitamin B and Vitamin C), amino acids and enzymes.
- The cultures also encourage happy gut buddies in the form of super-powerful probiotic microorganisms to grow.
Why Nexba Kombucha is going to be the drink of choice in your house
We’re stoked to that so many families tag us on Instagram to tell us that our kombucha is a regular in their shopping basket. And the main reason why?
Nexba Kombucha tastes incredible, which means kids absolutely love it (we reckon it’s ‘cos they love our stash of kid-friendly flavours such as Mixed Berry, Mango and Apple, Pear and Ginger. But you be the judge!).
Plus, there’s absolutely nothing artificial and no sugar in them either.
