Kombucha may support mood and gut health

Researchers from the University of Minnesota have discovered that regular consumption of kombucha may be linked to improved mood and gut health in mice. The study, published in Food Bioscience, involved feeding mice a high-fat and high-sugar diet or a diet lower in fat and sugar, with both groups receiving kombucha three times a week for seven weeks. A control group was also given water at the same frequency.

Lead author Noor e Huma, a graduate student in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, explained that the results showed preliminary evidence suggesting that frequent kombucha consumption could be associated with improved mental health. The researchers also highlighted the importance of considering the impact of foods on both physical and mental health.

Associate Professor Andres Gomez emphasized that fermented foods like kombucha, sauerkraut, and yogurt contain beneficial bacteria that can contribute to both physical and mental well-being. The study's findings indicate that consuming these fermented foods may help maintain a balance between our physical and mental health by influencing the gut microbiome and its communication with the brain.

The researchers noted that the mood-enhancing effects observed in mice need to be further validated through additional behavioral tests and by exploring all possible interactions between the gut microbiome and the brain when consuming fermented foods. However, it is important to remember that these results do not establish mental health benefits in humans.