Whole 30 is a diet whole 30 kombucha that encourages healthy eating habits and excludes foods and beverages with added sugar, artificial sweeteners, and restricted ingredients. Kombucha is a fermented tea that is made using sweetened black or green tea and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). The SCOBY consumes the sugar in the tea to create a drink that promotes gut health, boosts energy levels, and reduces oxidative stress. In addition, the fermentation process also produces probiotics that support a healthy microbiome. As such, kombucha is often used by people following the Whole30 diet to improve digestion and gut health.
Unveiling the Whole 30 Kombucha Experience: A Guide to Incorporating Fermentation into Your Clean Eating Journey
However, the question of whether or not kombucha is Whole30 compliant can be confusing. This is because kombucha contains some sugar before fermentation, which makes it ineligible for the program if it is listed on the ingredients list. Some brands add additional sweetener after the kombucha is fermented, which also makes it ineligible for the program.
Another common concern is that kombucha contains alcohol, which is a no-no on the Whole30. This is because the SCOBY eats the sugar in the tea and, during the fermentation process, some of it gets turned into ethanol. This is a natural by-product of fermentation and it does not make kombucha any different from other drinks that contain alcohol, such as orange juice or wine. To avoid any alcohol in kombucha, it is best to opt for low sugar brands that have minimal residual sugar, or to brew your own at home.