We know the health benefits of drinking fermented probiotics drinks like kombucha. But are there any benefits to consuming kombucha vinegar? Raw unpasteurised apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been used as a health tonic & natural preservative for hundreds of years – can we get the same benefits from a kombucha vinegar?
Kombucha vinegar is simply kombucha which has fermented twice the amount of time & turned sour. So it’s very easy to make – particularly if you forget about your ‘buch culture sometimes! Just make your kombucha as you normally would with a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts) black or green tea & sugar. Allow the culture to consume all the sugar & ferment for up to 60 days. (Tip: If you’re just starting out making your own kombucha & find that your kombucha is too sour for your taste just keep fermenting to make your own vinegar!).
So what are the differences between kombucha vinegar & ACV?
Whilst they both contain acetic acid & fructose, only kombucha vinegar contains gluconic acid. Gluconic acid has antiseptic & chelating properties & is found in abundance in plants, honey & wine. It is thought that these chelating actions help to remove heavy metals & toxins from our body. As kombucha vinegar is fermented on tea, the antioxidants & polyphenols from the tea are fermented & so are more bioavailable to us.
A standard batch of kombucha vinegar contains approximately 2% acetic acid whilst ACV is much more potent after fermentation & is diluted to about 5% acetic acid for human consumption. Therefore, kombucha vinegar is much more consumer friendly when using as a health tonic as the lower acetic acid makes it easier to drink & it is also great to use as an everyday skin toner due to its gentler nature.
So what are the benefits of kombucha vinegar?
- Alkalising
- Enhances the body’s normal toxin elimination process
- Improves digestion
- May speed up the metabolism
- How to Use Kombucha Vinegar
Kombucha vinegar can be used in the same ways as ACV but the most commons ways are:
- Use in salad dressings with olive oil & herbs & spices
- Use as a natural hair rinse following shampooing to help remove built up residue from hair products.
- Add to your daily skin care routine as a toner which helps stimulate the capillaries under the skin to encourage cellular regeneration.
- Can be a multipurpose cleaner to help remove soap scum, add to the wash to soften clothes or use as a cleaning aid in the dishwasher.