With hard Kombucha’s unstoppable fame nowadays, it is not surprising that more and more people also want to know more about this beverage. Apart from the alcohol content of hard Kombucha, another common question among drinkers is its caffeine content. But does hard Kombucha have caffeine?
Hard Kombucha contains caffeine. Like Kombucha, hard Kombucha is made of tea which is a popular caffeinated drink. This results in traces of caffeine in hard Kombucha. When it comes to the caffeine amount, hard Kombucha only contains about 10 mg to 20 mg of caffeine every 12 oz. of serving. This amount is only one-third the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee.
Although Kombucha only contains small amounts of caffeine, it is still possible to experience caffeine overdose if you drink high volumes of Kombucha in a short period of time. Hence, it is wise to control your Kombucha consumption always.
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What is Caffeine
Caffeine has become an essential substance in the morning for many adults. Caffeine also referred to as a psychoactive drug, is a type of natural stimulant. It is found in tea, coffee, cacao plants, soft drinks, and energy drinks. It works by blocking the effects of adenosine which is a neurotransmitter that causes the brain to relax. This neurotransmitter also causes you to feel tired and sleepy. Typically, you will feel the effects of caffeine after 1 hour of consumption.
Caffeine has several effects and benefits for the body. These include the following.
- Reduces tiredness
- Prevents sleepiness
- Increases blood adrenaline levels
- Boosts brain activity
- Promotes alertness and focus
- May improve mood
- Decreases the chances of depression
- Protects against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
Does Kombucha Keep You Awake?
While it’s true that Kombucha contains traces of caffeine, it is not enough to keep you awake all night. However, if you are particularly sensitive to caffeine, you may still experience the effects of this substance. Hence, you shouldn’t drink Kombucha before bed.
Regular Kombucha can contain 10 mg to 20 mg of caffeine in each serving depending on the brand. This is relatively lower than a standard cup of coffee that has 40 mg of caffeine per serving. Depending on your caffeine tolerance, about 100 to 200 mg a day is needed to stay awake.
According to the FDA, 400 mg. a day or about 4 to 5 cups of coffee is an amount not generally associated with dangerous negative effects. Nevertheless, it is best to only consume caffeine that your body can tolerate. Drinking too much caffeine can cause the following side effects.
- Insomnia
- Anxiousness
- Increased heart rate
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dysphoria
Does JuneShine Kombucha Have Caffeine?
The short answer is yes. JuneShine Kombucha contains 20 mg. of caffeine per 12 oz. of serving which is half of the caffeine amount in the usual cup of coffee.
JuneShine Kombucha is a popular maker of hard Kombucha based in San Diego, California. They claim to produce organic, sustainable, and gluten-free hard Kombucha with 6% ABV. They offer five core flavors and a quarterly seasonal line of hard Kombucha that they distribute outside San Diego.
Which Kombucha Has Caffeine?
All Kombucha drinks fermented using true tea leaves contain natural caffeine. However, the caffeine level can vary from one brand to another. The type of tea used can also affect the caffeine content of Kombucha.
If you are looking for Kombucha with lower caffeine levels, you may opt for one that uses lower caffeinated teas like white tea or green tea. These teas are less oxidized versions of black tea and are usually lower in caffeine. You may also extend the fermentation time of your Kombucha to give your SCOBY more time to break down the caffeine in the Kombucha mixture. On the downside, this can cause your Kombucha to taste more tart.
If all you have is black tea but don’t want its caffeine, don’t worry because you can still do something to lower its caffeine level. One thing you can do is to let the black tea bags steep in boiling water for 20 to 30 seconds. Next, remove the black tea bags and use them as usual in making your sweet tea. Steeping black tea in boiling water can help lower its caffeine levels.
Is Hard Kombucha Healthier Than Wine?
It mainly depends on someone’s health goal. Hard Kombucha and wine both have different formulations, benefits, and characteristics that are not for everyone. Below let’s compare, the two alcoholic drinks so you can decide which alcoholic beverage is healthier for you.
Calories
Compared to wine, hard Kombucha contains lower calories making it a slightly healthier alcohol option if you are trying to cut down on calories.
Hard Kombucha contains 85 to 120 calories per 12 oz. of serving. On the other hand, 12 oz. of wine can have up to 282 calories, which is more than half of that of hard Kombucha.
ABV
Depending on the brand and fermentation process, hard Kombucha can contain an alcohol content between 4.5% to 8% ABV per can or bottle. Meanwhile, wine has 12% ABV.
Essentially, the higher ABV, the stronger the drink is and the faster you will feel its intoxicating effects.
As per the American Heart Association (AHA) recommendation, women should only drink no more than one drink. On the other hand, men should only consume two drinks. If you are under 21 years old, you are not allowed to drink these alcoholic beverages.
Sugar
When it comes to sugar content, hard Kombucha can contain 2 to 10 grams of sugar per 12 oz. serving while red wine can contain 2.7 grams in the same size.
According to an AHA suggestion, most adult women should take no more than 6 teaspoons or 24 grams of sugar daily. Meanwhile, most men should take no more than 9 teaspoons or 36 grams of sugar a day.
Hard Kombucha Health Benefits
Hard Kombucha is known to contain gut-friendly probiotics that are beneficial to the digestive system. However, unlike regular Kombucha, hard Kombucha doesn’t contain high amounts of probiotics as some live bacteria can’t survive high alcohol content. For this reason, hard Kombucha may not be able to provide the same gut-nourishing benefits as its non-alcoholic version.
In addition to probiotics, many people switch to hard Kombucha for its polyphenols and antioxidants. However, the amount of these nutrients in Kombucha may not be enough to make significant changes to health.
On the other hand, wine is known to be good for heart health. Like hard Kombucha, it also contains antioxidants that may help prevent coronary artery disease that can lead to heart attacks.
Both alcoholic beverages can be healthy in moderation. Remember to only drink as much as your body can tolerate to avoid hangovers and adverse effects on your body.
Why Do I Feel Weird After Drinking Kombucha?
If you are a newbie to drinking Kombucha, you may experience upset stomach as your body adjusts to the drink. You may also experience digestive symptoms like gas, nausea, and vomiting when you drink too much Kombucha. If you have poor digestive health, you may feel side effects as well.
When drinking Kombucha for the first time, remember to always begin with a low dosage. We recommend drinking only 4 oz. a day and gradually increasing the amount of consumption until you reach 12 oz. 12 oz. is the recommended amount of daily consumption of Kombucha. You can drink it at once or three times a day. Some long-term Kombucha drinkers can drink up to 16 oz. of Kombucha a day as their stomach can already tolerate Kombucha well.
If you experience an upset stomach accompanied by pain and vomiting that persists for more than 6 hours, consult your doctor immediately and seek emergency care.
Why Can’t I Sleep After Drinking Kombucha?
If you can’t sleep after drinking Kombucha, chances are you are sensitive to caffeine or you have taken too much of this beverage. Despite being low in caffeine, some people who are particularly sensitive to caffeinated beverages may still feel the effects of the caffeine in Kombucha.
Drinking too much Kombucha can also cause caffeine overconsumption. Hence, it is best to only drink the recommended daily consumption amount of Kombucha which is just 12 oz. If you are a newbie, we suggested drinking only 4 oz. a day to allow your body to adjust to the caffeine and other active substances in Kombucha.
Ironically, drinking regular, non-alcoholic kombucha may help reduce the symptoms of a hang-over.
