In the digestive world, Kombucha has made a name for itself, and it's mostly centered around clearing up your gut health and clearing up your body to get the bowels moving.
However, we've seen a question often pop up, asked by people riddled with problems like tummy troubles and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and it's that does Kombucha make you poop?
While we'll answer that question later in this guide, it's essential to know that the right, or even better, question to ask here is, is Kombucha supposed to make you poop?
Whether Kombucha makes you poop depends on many different variables and varies from person to person, one of which is understanding what goes on in your body when you drink Kombucha, and that's exactly what we'll do today.
Being a fermented beverage, one of the primary purposes of Kombucha is to get your bowel movement up and running and is packed with a long list of probiotics that promote many health benefits, something we'll get to in a minute.
So, take your Kombucha, put some music on, and read till the end to find out if Kombucha makes you poop.
Table of Contents
- What Is Kombucha?
- How Does Kombucha Stimulate Bowel Movements?
- How Does Kombucha Improve Digestion & Gut Health?
- Kombucha Potential Side Effects
- So, Does Drinking Kombucha Make You Poop?
- Does Kombucha Make You Fart?
- Picking The Right Kombucha For Health Benefits
- Better Alternatives To Help With Pooping
- Bottom Line
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Kombucha?
Kombucha, if you don't already know, is a fermented drink that's become quite popular ever since probiotic-rich foods have bloomed on the self-care side of the internet.
Though what makes Kombucha the most popular is its fizzy yet sweet taste, and as a result of it being fermented, it's a drink rich in probiotics that enrich the gut microbiome, replenish the gut bacteria and boost the immune system.
It's a box package that deals with good taste and healthy bacteria to help digestion. As for why the drink is bully and fizzy, well, you can blame that on the fermentation process of it all.
When the bacteria and yeast mix and ferment together, they break down to release the good gut bacteria in the body, making it good for the gut.
Bonus information: The base of the kombucha makes a lot of difference in its quality and the health benefits it poses.
For example, if the base is made of green tea, Kombucha will provide the body with extra antioxidants to prevent cell damage.
How Does Kombucha Stimulate Bowel Movements?
As far as scientific evidence goes, Kombucha isn't naturally a laxative, and that's a good thing.
Prolonged usage of laxatives can create many problems, though people often confuse Kombucha specifically for being a laxative due to its stimulation of one's bowels.
But let's take a step back for the newbies that don't know the fancy words.
If you want your gut health to be on par with the "good health standards", you want more good bacteria than bad bacteria, and a probiotic drink like Kombucha does exactly that.
In addition to this, various studies have been going on that connect the dots between Kombucha drinks and digestive tract problems like IBS, constipation, and more, and have been largely linked to improving stool consistency due to relevant probiotic strains that are present in kombucha and other fermented foods.
How Does Kombucha Improve Digestion & Gut Health?
Probiotic supplements have been popular in the last few years, with many capsule-based, artificially tailored products flowing in the market that help people get their digestive tract in good shape.
Kombucha is an example of these supplements, though it falls more under the umbrella of naturally created products. It's a drink loaded with many helpful probiotic strains that get the job done, especially the ones that help establish good digestive health.
Much research suggests that probiotics (AKA gut friendly bacteria) can reduce inflammation in the gut, improve nutrient absorption, and help with diarrhea.
When we consume Kombucha, we supplement our bodies with sufficient probiotics to enjoy the effect. Kombucha itself is a rich source of probiotics and beneficial bacteria. They support our gut health in various ways.
So, it can help in promoting regularity in your digestive system and bowel movements. So, you experience more bowel movements when you drink Kombucha.
It's Great For Detoxification
Detox is a word that gets thrown around a lot in the self-care world, and though we like to use it wisely in this house, it's a key concept when it comes to Kombucha drinks.
In essence, Kombucha is a detoxifying beverage. It requires a fermentation process to complete the recipe that is widely enjoyed nowadays.
The fermentation process in Kombucha ends up producing compounds that are high in enzymes and bacterial acids. These rich compounds then support and often enhance the digestion process in the body, help soften stools and prevent problems like constipation.
Though we recommend not solely relying on Kombucha, you must incorporate a diet rich in all fiber types to get your bowels running smoothly.
Mild Laxative Impact
Seeing as how Kombucha lets people get back to their regular bowel movements, there's a high volume of questions that people ask, such as whether or not Kombucha is a laxative.
No, kombucha is not a natural laxative.
But if that's the case, how does it make you poop more?
Although Kombucha (itself) isn’t a laxative, it still has a mild effect. A combination of factors in Kombucha makes it possess laxative-like effects without the side effects of laxatives themselves. It's like having your cake and eating it too (See what we did there?).
Each 8 oz serving of kombucha typically contains 30 mg of caffeine, which gives this drink its laxative properties.
Similarly, Kombucha contains probiotic properties and ingredients that support a healthy and regular bowel movement. As a result, it ends up having a mild laxative impact on its consumers.
Better Hydration In The Body
Hydration is an essential element that can promote regularity and improve stool consistency. When we drink Kombucha tea, it supports better hydration in our bodies.
Consequently, your digestive system will be better at staying regular and preventing constipation due to better hydration. This property can also elevate your bowel movements to some degree, which improves your digestion at the primary level.
Additionally, consuming beverages like Kombucha supplement the fluid intake in your body. Though experts advise against relying entirely on drinking Kombucha to meet our body’s fluid requirements,
This is why, as mentioned before, it's essential to pair Kombucha with an overall balanced regimen of nutrients.
Kombucha Potential Side Effects
Nothing ever comes with benefits only, and while the detriments of Kombucha are far, far lower than its upsides, it’s important to know where you’re stepping beforehand.
Kombucha, as we’ve explained in this guide, is a drink that can help you establish better digestion and bowel movements, but that comes with its own list of side problems.
Make sure you’re gradually increasing your Kombucha intake and not putting in a high amount of probiotic-rich drinks like Kombucha from the beginning. Start with a low amount, and increase the amount if things seem well.
If you’re taking Kombucha for the first time or taking too much for your own good, you might experience bloating or flatulence, as this study by Pilipenko VI explains.
So, Does Drinking Kombucha Make You Poop?
Previously, we’ve discussed how Kombucha targets the digestion of an individual, promotes healthy bowel movement and enriches the gut microbiome that contributes to mental and physical health.
Kombucha is supposed to make you poop. Whether or not it makes you poop depends on how your gut is, how your body reacts to the probiotics that Kombucha inhabits, and more things.
So yes, Kombucha may make you poop. It’s not naturally a laxative, but as it turns out, it gets your bowel movements up and running instantly after drinking it due to the presence of both digestion-promoting probiotic strains as well as an adequate quantity of water in it.
Does Kombucha Make You Fart?
If you’re trying Kombucha or any probiotic-centric product for the first time, you might feel a little bloated, go to the bathroom a lot, or fart more than usual.
Kombucha may make you fart more than normal, especially if you’re someone that has never used Kombucha before.
This is because, in addition to probiotics, Kombucha has a lot of low FODMAP foods, which are digestion-resistant food items that are only broken down in the colon, where they can produce excessive gas.
Though farting is a normal body function, nothing serious to worry about!
However, we recommend talking to a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing symptoms like fatigue, blood-infused stools, and constipation, in addition to Kombucha farts.
Picking The Right Kombucha For Health Benefits
A while back, choosing a Kombucha wasn’t hard since only a few brands made them.
But today, there are hundreds of different options to choose from, if not thousands, and this plethora of choices can often boggle your mind, and we can thank the internet for that.
Fortunately, we’re here to help you. Make sure to account for the following when you’re out there buying a Kombucha for yourself:
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Make sure it tastes good. “Good medicine doesn't taste good” is a thing of the past. At the end of the day, taking care of your body should be enjoyable, so make sure you're getting a Kombucha that you love drinking regularly.
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The packaging matters. Yes, some of the best Kombucha are the ones that have good packaging as it helps retain its integrity against light, heat, and other elements that might otherwise be bad for it.
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Skip the homemade products. It’s good to support smaller businesses, but opting for a store-bought Kombucha is better, as you have more transparency on its authenticity and ingredients.
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Choose a Kombucha with low sugar and artificial sweeteners. You want a naturally sweetened product instead of a Kombucha riddled with sugars or sweeteners.
Better Alternatives To Help With Pooping
We’ve praised the songs of Kombucha throughout this guide, and while we think it’s a great way to clear the poop roadblock for you, it’s not the only way to do it.
We recommend using it when nothing else seems to be working, while your first go-to response to digestive problems should always be to:
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Increasing your water intake. Water is the best, more natural drink to make you poop, especially if you have a diet rich in water-soluble fibers.
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Try probiotic supplements: Kombucha only targets a portion of your digestive problems, and capsule-based, high-quality probiotic supplements can help take better care of your gut health.
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Get more fiber: Having pooping problems often has a lot to do with inadequate amounts of fiber in your diet. Try following a low FODMAP diet, high in soluble fiber, and see its difference. Initially, a good aim falls between 30 and 40 grams of fiber.
Top Pick: Our Restore Probiotic has a long list of helpful probiotic strains and high CFU count that can help you tackle many problems like constipation, diarrhea, bad gut health, and more. Check it out here, and get an exclusive discount!
Bottom Line
To summarize, here's what you've learned if you've read the above guide and even skimmed it professionally:
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Kombucha is a fermented, probiotic-concentrate drink that is paired with a stream of a symbiotic culture of good bacteria
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They help regulate your bowel movements and increase stool consistency
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They're not laxatives, though you might be led to believe that they are.
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It's one of the most known drinks for treating the gastrointestinal tract.
We've praised the various uses of Kombucha in the above guide and its adverse effects on its digestive effects.
Though, as we and most healthcare professionals recommend, it's essential to ensure you're not experimenting with your health on your own. Taking your doctor or a healthcare provider in a loop is necessary to promote regularity and other benefits of drinking Kombucha.
This probiotic drink is great for a hit and trial run to see if your symptoms weaken, but if you have serious GI tract problems, consulting a doctor first is always the best thing to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ #1: Does kombucha give you diarrhea?
If your Kombucha intake is normal, you shouldn’t be experiencing any problems. However, increased intake of Kombucha that has a high amount of sugar can cause imbalance, which can lead to issues like diarrhea
FAQ #2: Does kombucha Cleanse your colon?
It depends on how regular you are with drinking Kombucha. Suppose you’re drinking a regular amount of Kombucha daily. In that case, it will promote healthy digestion and better bowel movements, which, in the long run, means a cleaner colon and a healthier gut.
FAQ #3: Is drinking too much kombucha bad?
Yes, it can be. Like everything, Kombucha should be taken in adequate amounts, as excessive consumption can lead to an upset stomach and digestive disorders like constipation and diarrhea.
FAQ #4: Does kombucha help reduce belly fat?
Specifically, Kombucha with green tea as its baseline can help reduce belly fat to an extent, as it increases the body's metabolism rate and digests food faster. However, more research is needed to claim this accurately.