The kombucha craze is sweeping across Europe, with more and more of us enjoying this delicious, gut-healthy beverage. Packed with live cultures and antioxidants and coming in flavours including raspberry, passion fruit and ginger, many are enjoying it as a tasty alternative to unhealthy drinks like fizzy beverages and alcohol.
If you’re getting on the hype train yourself, you might be wondering: when is the best time of the day to drink kombucha? While we don’t want to be accused of sitting on the fence, the answer is genuinely that it depends! Although in reality you can consume the beverage at any time you like, some times may be better than others depending on your health goals and overall preferences. To help you work out which time is best, we’ve compiled this guide to when you should drink kombucha.
Drinking kombucha in the morning
If, like a lot of people, you’re not a morning person, then kombucha can be the perfect pick-me-up to get you going in the AM. This partly comes down to its caffeine content. No. 1 Living’s kombucha is made from sencha green tea, meaning it contains a small amount of caffeine (typically 15mg per serving compared to around 95mg in your average cup of coffee). This can therefore make you feel alert without causing an afternoon crash like coffee or tea might.
However, if you don’t want to forsake your beloved morning brew, don’t think you have to choose between the two. Why not add some kombucha into your favourite smoothie recipe and drink this alongside your favourite hot drink?
Another potential benefit of consuming kombucha in the morning is that doing so on an empty stomach can help balance your gut bacteria. This bacteria has been linked to a whole host of ailments, from inflammation to anxiety, meaning drinking kombucha could potentially boost your immune system and result in better health. That said, if your stomach is on the more sensitive side, you might be better off eating beforehand. If you do want to drink kombucha on an empty stomach, perhaps consider starting with small amounts to build up your tolerance.
Drink kombucha with food or in between meals
Here at No.1 Living, we love kombucha with our meals. Not only is it a tasty accompaniment to your food, but the beverage can also help aid digestion thanks to the amount of antioxidants and probiotics it contains, making you feel less sluggish and more energised.
Drinking kombucha after you eat can also be a good idea. Many of us feel bloated and sleepy after lunch and end up reaching for a coffee, a sugary drink or a sweet treat to help us get going again, all of which can do more harm than good. By choosing kombucha instead, you avoid these unhealthy choices and satisfy your cravings for something sweet with a zero-sugar drink that also helps to rebalance your gut! What’s more, the fermented drink can potentially reduce bloating too, helping you feel your best post-meals.
Drinking kombucha after exercise
Because kombucha contains organic acids, antioxidants and live bacteria, it can both replenish and rehydrate your body after exercise, all the while saving you from reaching for sugar-filled sports recovery drinks.
Kombucha’s caffeine content can help ward off that post-workout slump too, while its B vitamins and iron properties help to increase oxygen flow around the body, refuelling you. All of this makes kombucha a great post-exercise choice.
Drinking kombucha at night
After spending a day at work, it’s often tempting to reach into the fridge for a beer or to crack open a bottle of wine. Neither option is particularly healthy, however, especially on a regular basis. Kombucha can therefore be a fantastic alternative to alcohol, particularly for wine lovers considering its slightly acidic taste is similar to the alcoholic beverage. With a wide range of flavours to explore, you might even begin to prefer it!
The only issue with consuming kombucha at night, however, is its caffeine content. Although, as touched upon above, it only contains a small amount, those who are sensitive to the stimulant may find that the drink makes it difficult to sleep. If you’re used to a nighttime cup of tea or coffee though, then switching to kombucha and enjoying its potential health benefits might be just the ticket.
When to drink kombucha: The verdict
All in all, we’d say to drink kombucha whenever you feel like it, while taking into consideration your personal health goals and tolerance to caffeine. For example, though you may get the maximum gut benefits from it in the morning, the advantages of swapping out alcohol for kombucha in the evening could outweigh this. While if you’re fine with caffeine then you can probably drink it throughout the day if you like! We recommend trying out different times of the day to see what works best for you. Happy kombucha-ing!
