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New study to test health benefits of kombucha
The Better Kombucha project seeks to better understand how the consumption of kombucha impacts our physical and mental health, with scientists working in tandem with industry partners to see how anti-inflammatory and other beneficial properties found in kombucha can be enhanced.
A group of healthy individuals involved in the study will be monitored for cognitive and behavioural performance over an eight-week period, while the inflammation and metabolomics of their blood and urine samples taken after drinking kombucha will also be tested.
The project will also explore consumer preferences in a bid to learn more about the barriers that exist to kombucha consumption.
Funded by Innovate UK, the Better Kombucha project brings together researchers from Aberystwyth University’s Department of Psychology, Department of Life Sciences and Business School, who will work industry partners at Conwy Kombucha and PhytoQuest.
According to sister title The Grocer, supermarket sales of kombucha hit £19.3m in 2023, representing a 28.4% rise in volume compared with the year before.
“We often talk about our ‘gut instinct’ but what we don’t always realise is that there is a direct link between our gut and our brain,” explained Professor Nigel Holt, head of the Department of Psychology at Aberystwyth University.
“Most of our serotonin is produced in the gut, for example. Our project is delving deeper into the microbiota gut-brain axis to measure the extent to which consuming a fermented product like kombucha can support our mental as well as our physical well-being and how we can help improve its health-related benefits.”
Meanwhile Dr Amanda J Lloyd from the university’s Department of Life Sciences added: “This project builds on previous research on fermented, functional and other novel foods at Aberystwyth.
“Alongside our testing, Conwy Kombucha are using innovative fermentation technology to improve the nutritional quality of kombucha and helping to develop evidence-based, value-added products with functional health benefits.”
In other news, leading food producer Samworth Brothers has acquired The Real Wrap Co for an undisclosed fee.
