New Fermented Apple Drink Outshines Kombucha With More Antioxidants and Better Taste

When it comes to beverages that are good for you, kombucha—a fermented drink made from tea, sugar and yeast—usually comes out on top. It’s full of probiotics and nutrients, which make your gut happy. However, a new study from the Federal University of Ceara in Brazil indicates that an apple-based drink may be even healthier (and more delicious). Keep reading to learn more about the study results and how the apple drink benefits your health.

New study reveals fermented apple drink benefits: more antioxidants than kombucha

A new study published in the ACS Agricultural Science & Technology journal found that apple juice fermented with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) can be more beneficial than standard kombucha . Lead researcher and professor of food engineering, Socorro Vanesca Frota Gaban and her team hoped to find alternatives to kombucha that would appeal to a larger audience while keeping the probiotic content high.

“Our objective was to develop a fermented beverage containing bioactive compounds and beneficial microorganisms aimed at promoting health while offering a pleasurable sensory experience,” says Gaban.

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To create the new drinks, the researchers replaced the standard green tea used to make kombucha with either passion fruit or apple juice. Gaban says the selection of apple was based on its well-documented health benefits and the aspiration to develop a fermented apple beverage closely resembling cider . They then mixed in the SCOBY culture and let the drinks ferment for 10 days at room temperature. Once fermented, the drinks were tested for their chemical composition, antioxidant content and sensory properties.

The apple drink had more health-promoting compounds

While all three drinks are beneficial, the apple beverage came closest to kombucha in probiotics and had the most flavonoids and antioxidants . And when it came to taste, the apple drink was a clear winner. Half of a focus group of 12 people chose the apple drink as their top choice. They described it as having a cider-like flavor and felt that it was “ refreshing, lightly alcoholic and with minimal astringency,” according to the study.

Why probiotics are good for your health

Like kombucha, the new apple drink contains probiotics that improve your gut health. Probiotics are often called “good” bacteria, explains Chris Mohr, PhD, RD , fitness and nutrition advisor at Fortune Recommends Health. “They are beneficial because they help balance the bacteria in your gut, which supports digestion , boosts your immune system , and may even improve your mood.”

Probiotics are found in yogurt, some varieties of cheese, kefir (a fermented yogurt drink), cottage cheese, and fermented foods like miso or kimchi.

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Flavonoids in the apple drink are also beneficial

Of the three beverages, the apple variant also contained higher levels of flavonoids. Catherine Gervacio, RD , a registered nutritionist and diet consultant for WOWMD, says these are a “type of phenolic compound,a natural substance found in plants that helps protect them from things like disease, pests or damage from the environment.”

Flavonoids help your body by fighting off free radicals that can damage DNA. “They can also improve heart health, support brain function and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease,” adds Gervacio. You’ll find them in citrus fruits, veggies like kale and broccoli and various teas.

Why sugar is an important addition to the fermented apple drink

While too much added sugar can harm your health, Gervacio points out that a certain amount of sugar is needed for fermentation. The sugar mixes with the yeast during this process, which gives kombucha and other fermented beverages like the new apple drink their probiotics content. “The challenge is finding the right balance between having enough sugar for fermentation without making the drink too sweet or too high in calories,” says Gervacio.

The apple drink was made with juice that contained filtered water and incorporated 10 percent sugar. Study participants didn’t think it was overly sweet. While research is still emerging on alternatives to kombucha, the apple drink seems to check all the important boxes and could be a beverage that offers long-term health benefits.

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This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan .