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What Yeast Is In Kombucha? [SCOBY & Bacteria Lists]

what yeast is in kombucha

Does kombucha have yeast? With Kombucha increasing in popularity these days due to its purported health benefits for almost anyone it often draws various queries for people new to it. 

Let’s cover some basis.

It is a brew made with two fermentation processes black or green tea and organic sugar concentration.

This leads to the creation of SCOBY, the symbiotic colony of bacteria and wild yeast (yeast ecology).

This good gut bacteria is responsible for the probiotic benefits, especially when you are on antibiotics and need to regulate your Ph levels due to some other circumstances.

But your main question,  is there yeast in kombucha?

What Yeast Is In Kombucha

The primary yeast found in most kombucha (kombucha culture) is Saccharomyces cerevisiae but there are some other common species too.

  • Pichia
  • Zygosaccharomyces
  • Kloeckera/Hanseniaspora
  • Candida,
  • Saccharomyces
  • Lachance
  • Torulaspora
  • Brettanomyces/Dekkera
  • Kluyveromyces
  • Saccharomyces
  • Schizosaccharomyces

As far as it goes the bacterial component typically includes Gluconacetobacter xylinus.

Yeast makes up about 1% of fungal species and the yeast in Kombucha converts carbs to alcohols which in turn becomes food for the bacteria.

So does kombucha contain yeast? Yes, it does. 

If you wish to know a little (or a lot) more about yeast and beneficial bacteria in kombucha culture, this is the text for you. 

So read on to find out how the probiotics in Kombucha work and why they are so good for your digestive system.

What do regular kombucha and kombucha SCOBY do to yeast in your body?

And what do kombucha yeast and bacteria do to your organism?

We will answer these questions for you.

Can Kombucha Kill Yeast?

Can Kombucha Kill Yeast

Kombucha yeast infection

If you have ever had a dry yeast infection, you know how unpleasant they are.

A yeast infection is a fungal infection that can cause many symptoms that can include but are not limited to irritation of the skin, discharge, severe itching, and pain.

People who have yeast infections very often need regular treatment so regular kombucha or Kombucha can be a great option if you are looking for some natural alternatives to regular medication which have bad bacteria.

Typically with such an infection you will experience a burning sensation on the skin, sore spots, rashes, and general irritation.

The fungal infection people pick is most often caused by the fungus called Candida. 

The body usually has a healthy amount of yeast, including Candida, and even being prescribed antibiotics can leave you exposed if your pH balance is thrown off.

If this balance is thrown off the Candida can overgrow and cause an infection due to the lack of good bacteria in your body 

Pregnancy, antibiotic use, a weakened immune system, or some oral contraceptives can all cause this to happen.

Candida albicans are one of the most common types that cause the infection but depending on the exact type you might need some stronger medications.

Candida naturally lives in the intestines, the skin, and the vagina. When it is not overgrowing it is completely harmless like many bacteria that live in your body. 

If there is too much yeast and lactic acid bacteria you can develop infections in different places such as the mouth or vagina.

You can get lesions that look like cheese and are white or yellow in color on your tongue or cheeks. If the infections occur in the intestines you can suddenly crave sweet foods excessively.

Kombucha tea can benefit in the fight against excessive yeast and lactic acid bacteria growth.  It sounds weird since Kombucha does contain yeast and bacteria or healthy bacteria.

But it actually can help you!

Fermented foods, including Kombucha, are great for any yeast infection you may have.

However, it is important to pay attention to the acidity and yeast that you are using in a bottle of kombucha, so it is not recommended to buy just any store-bought Kombucha

Make it yourself while keeping a close eye on the organic acids, and alcohol levels.  Always seek proper medical advice on basic principles.

Of course, you can pick and test what works for you since there are not enough fundamental researchers investing time in Kombucha’s tangible health benefits, but the experiences are usually positive.

If your batch is safe and contains only good yeast and healthy bacteria, it can balance your gut and help you with a healthy digestive system.

Kombucha can slowly affect the flora of the gastric system and help with strains of yeast overgrowth in the gut.

Some recommendations say it is best to take about 150 ml three times per day but considering your diet you could drink less than that.

If you are suffering from some chronic conditions you could drink a glass a day either in the morning or in the evening. 

Again I am not a health advisor so please seek proper medical advice.

Kombucha and candida

Kombucha is often promoted as having health benefits, but there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims. Some people claim that drinking kombucha can help to control Candida

overgrowth, a type of yeast that can cause infections in some people. However, there is little scientific evidence to support this claim.

Candida overgrowth can be a result of several factors, including a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, antibiotics, and a weakened immune system. If you have concerns about Candida

overgrowth, it’s best to speak with a healthcare professional, who can recommend a treatment plan that’s right for you.

It’s also important to note that kombucha contains a small amount of alcohol, which can be problematic for some people with Candida overgrowth. Additionally, kombucha can c

ontain high levels of sugar, which can worsen symptoms of Candida overgrowth in some people.

What Bacteria Is Found In Kombucha?

What Bacteria Is Found In Kombucha

This SCOBY that is the “mother” of Kombucha is a tea fungus.

It contains acetic acid bacteria and osmophilic yeast.

This bacteria is probiotic which is one of the many benefits of Kombucha tea

The purported benefits of Kombucha are pretty loud and wide – if you just google them you’ll see some crazy claims however you can also make yourself ill if you don’t take care when brewing and handling.

If you brew your batch badly you can get infections and get nauseous because of kombucha bacteria. So be careful if you are planning to brew your own.

So keep track of some recipes to avoid these problematic mistakes.

The yeast species found in Kombucha as explained above are 

  • Pichia
  • Zygosaccharomyces
  • Kloeckera/Hanseniaspora
  • Candida,
  • Saccharomyces
  • Lachance
  • Torulaspora
  • Brettanomyces/Dekkera
  • Kluyveromyces
  • Saccharomyces
  • Schizosaccharomyces

The bacteria found in Kombucha include

  • Komagataeibacter xylinus
  • (formerly Gluconacetobacter xylinus),

which ferments alcohols produced by the yeasts into acids.

This population increases within the first few days. The white sugar in Kombucha is food for the scoby bacteria and this triggers bacterial growth in the fermentation process. 

Kombucha also contains various enzymes, healthy bacteria, amino acids, and polyphenols which are great for your brain health, diabetes, and heart disease.

Kombucha, red wine, and tea contain the best levels of polyphenols so they are very beneficial to your diet.

They also act like antioxidants which we can find in green tea Kombucha can be made with. The types can vary depending on the food and drinks depending on their preparation and fermentation processes.

They can lower blood sugar levels which is why they help reduce the risk of type II diabetes.

They can also lower the risk of heart disease and improve your heart health.

With these antioxidant properties, they can help reduce any inflammation which can lead to chronic illnesses and inflammations that can threaten your heart.

The most popular and widely known bacteria found in Kombucha are the main microorganisms in the SCOBY.

They produce cellulose which is the most popular fact about these bacteria.

So if you are looking for a natural remedy that can promote healthy digestion, and reduce the risks of various ailments, then feel free to try out this brew.

Is Kombucha High In Probiotics?

Is Kombucha high in probiotics

This fermented brew is high in B vitamins, antioxidants, and probiotics.

Depending on the preparation or the brands you can find in stores, they can differ in the levels of these nutritional values.

Nutrition experts and doctors claim there is not yet enough evidence for the benefits of this drink so don’t use it specifically to treat health issues – take proper medical advice for that,

Kombucha goes through two fermentation processes that allow it to have similar probiotic properties as other fermented foods have in their finished product in the fermentation process.

Kombucha is said to have positive effects on your gut health since it can help with inflammation and kombucha consumption gives you the benefits of antioxidants and acetic acids.

However, remember that Kombucha can’t replace a healthy diet. You still need to fill your diet with fruits and vegetables nuts and seeds for their nutritional and fiber benefits.

A good diet like this also helps the probiotics do their job better.

Kombucha also contains low levels of caffeine, much less than tea or coffee and once it is fermented you end up with such low levels that it is highly unlikely you will react to it as you would to coffee.

But just be mindful if you have any such caffeine intolerances.