Health-Ade Kombucha Review

About Health-Ade

If you’re interested in wellness and nutrition, then you’re bound to have heard of kombucha. This super healthy drink has become a craze in the last few years, with consumers loving its delicious taste and nutritional benefits. However, as studies note, not all kombucha is the same.

Health-Ade is passionate about making the best-tasting, highest-quality kombucha using only natural ingredients. And, despite there being quite a few kombucha brands on the market now, this one seems to stand out from the crowd.

Health-Ade was founded in 2012 in Los Angeles, CA by a husband and wife team, Justin and Daina Trout, and their best friend, Vanessa Drew. The kombucha was first available at LA farmer’s markets, but the brand quickly expanded to selling in stores and via its website.

The founders had a dream to make incredibly tasting, healthy, and super high-quality kombucha. With customers’ wellness in mind, the brand focuses on being a “champion of the happiest and healthiest you.”

Today, Health-Ade boasts 29 yummy flavors of kombucha across four different collections. While some products are meant to be enjoyed right when you open the bottle or can, the company also offers mixers, which can add a dose of nutrition to your favorite alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink.

Along with tasting amazing, all Health-Ade kombucha is certified vegan and uses non-GMO and USDA organic ingredients. The company also supports ethical conditions for all workers involved in the production and distribution of its products.

Additionally, the brand ensures it reaches out to the community. Recently, it has teamed up with the Garden School Foundation to help underprivileged children learn about gardening and nutrition.

So, is this the brand you should turn to for your next bottle of nutritious goodness? This Health-Ade kombucha review will help you figure that out. I’ll look at the company, its bestsellers, customer ratings, and more, so stay tuned.

Pros and Cons

Pros

1. High-Quality Ingredients: Health-Ade prides itself on using high-quality, organic ingredients in their kombucha. They use real fruits, herbs, and teas, and avoid artificial flavors or preservatives.
2. Fermented and Probiotic-Rich: Kombucha is a fermented beverage that contains live cultures and probiotics, which are beneficial for gut health. Health-Ade kombucha undergoes a natural fermentation process, resulting in a probiotic-rich product.
3. Flavor Variety: Health-Ade offers a wide range of flavors, catering to different taste preferences. From classic flavors like Ginger-Lemon to unique combinations like Pink Lady Apple and Bubbly Rose, there is a flavor for everyone.
4. Transparency and Sustainability: Health-Ade emphasizes transparency in their manufacturing processes. They provide detailed information about their ingredients, fermentation methods, and quality control. They also prioritize sustainability practices and are committed to reducing their environmental impact.
5. Gluten-Free and Vegan Options: Health-Ade offers gluten-free and vegan options, making their kombucha accessible to a wider audience with specific dietary preferences or restrictions.

Cons

1. Price: Health-Ade kombucha can be relatively more expensive compared to other brands or traditional beverages. The use of high-quality ingredients and organic certification contributes to the higher price point.
2. Acquired Taste: Kombucha has a distinct tangy and slightly fizzy taste that may not appeal to everyone. It has a fermented flavor profile that can take some getting used to, especially for those who are new to kombucha.
3. Carbonation Variability: Some consumers have reported inconsistencies in carbonation levels across different bottles or batches of Health-Ade kombucha.
4. Limited Availability: While Health-Ade has expanded its distribution, it may still be challenging to find their products in certain areas. Availability can vary depending on location, and not all flavors may be readily accessible.

Recent Studies About Kombucha

Kombucha is a fermented tea that has been used for ages in traditional Chinese medicine for its beneficial health properties. The beverage comes from the fermentation of a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts in sweetened green or black tea. This culture is capable of inhibiting the growth of other microorganisms and is responsible for the claimed benefits to human health. 

That being said, it’s worth checking into what recent studies about kombucha have found.

• This study found that elevated kombucha consumption has been associated with reductions of cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
• Another review reported that there were some benefits from kombucha in nonhuman subjects, but that further research should be conducted.
• This 2022 overview looked into kombucha’s antimicrobial properties and how they could help with antibiotic resistance.

Ingredients

The main ingredients in Health-Ade kombucha typically include the following:

1. Tea: Health-Ade uses a combination of organic black tea and/or green tea as a source of nutrients for the fermentation process. The tea leaves contribute flavor and provide tannins and other compounds that support the fermentation of the kombucha culture.
2. Sugar: Sugar acts as a food source for the SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast), which is responsible for fermenting the tea. During the fermentation process, the SCOBY consumes the sugar, resulting in a tangy, slightly sweet taste. Health-Ade typically uses organic cane sugar.
3. Kombucha Culture/SCOBY: The SCOBY is a gelatinous culture made up of beneficial bacteria and yeast. It is responsible for converting the tea and sugar mixture into kombucha through the fermentation process. The SCOBY is often referred to as the “mother” or “starter” culture.
4. Flavoring Ingredients: Health-Ade kombucha offers a variety of flavors, and the specific ingredients used for flavoring can vary. Common flavorings include organic fruits, herbs, spices, and botanical extracts. Examples include ginger, lemon, blueberries, raspberries, and hibiscus, among others.

It’s important to note that Health-Ade prides itself on using organic ingredients and avoiding artificial additives or preservatives. They strive to create kombucha using real, whole-food ingredients to maintain the quality and integrity of their products.

Benefits

Kombucha is a highly popular health product due to the many nutritional benefits this yummy drink provides. Health-Ade kombucha benefits include improving gut and digestive health, thanks to probiotics, and boosting your immune system.

Another Health-Ade kombucha nutritional benefit is that drinking the product makes it easy to get antioxidants and healthy acids. Many scientists and nutritionists say getting antioxidants from food or drink instead of a supplement is more beneficial to our bodies.

You may also get a slight energy boost due to the caffeine from the tea. But, the Health-Ade kombucha caffeine content is low as the fermentation process dilutes the caffeine, so the energy boost will not be like that of drinking coffee or regular tea.

5 Best-Selling Health-Ade Kombucha Flavors

In this section of my Health-Ade kombucha review, I’ll cover some of the brand’s best-selling flavors. From fresh watermelon to fruity tropical punch and fancy bubbly rose, there’s a flavor for everyone.

Health Ade has three main lines: Kombucha, Health-Ade Plus Kombucha, and Pop. Mixers for cocktails or mocktails are also available.

Something to keep in mind is that the Health-Ade kombucha price gets reduced by 15% if you order via a subscription. Setting up a subscription means you’ll get recurring deliveries of your favorite drinks at chosen intervals of once a week to once every three months.

Health-Ade Pop Lemon Lime Review

Kick your unhealthy soda habit to the curb with this alternative bubbly drink that’s actually good for you. The Health-Ade Pop Lemon Lime feels like you’re drinking a deliciously flavored soda, but the company replaces the sugar with gut health-boosting prebiotics.

A review article^[4] published in The Journal of Microbiological Methods described the benefits of prebiotics. These non-absorbable nutrients have the capacity to change the composition and activity of your gut microbiome. This leads to a ton of health benefits like improvement in calcium and magnesium absorption, increase in bone density, lower risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, and immunity support.

The best part? This unique beverage includes ingredients you’ll actually recognize: cold-pressed organic ginger juice, calcium and magnesium from seaweed, and cold-pressed organic lemon and lime juices.

While these drinks are delicious as they are, Health-Ade recommends using them as a unique cocktail base, too. You can find Health-Ade Pop cocktail recipes on the brand’s website.

A refreshing-sounding example includes a spicy watermelon spritz made with Health-Ade Pop Lemon Lime plus watermelon juice, vodka or tequila, and jalapeno. You can grab an eight-pack of this versatile drink for $20.

Health-Ade Mint Limeade Kombucha – 12 Pack Review

Reminiscent of mojitos on vacation or bootlegs on the beach, the Health-Ade Mint Limeade Kombucha is a fresh and tangy drink for alcohol-free days. But, we’re sure you could totally add some vodka or tequila to this one, too—in fact, the brand recommends it!

This lime and mint flavored kombucha is ideal for hot days or as a refreshing post-workout drink. Ingredients include cold-pressed organic lime juice, organic spearmint extract, organic vanilla powder, and probiotics.

A pack of 12 of the Health-Ade Mint Limeade Kombucha is $50.

Health-Ade Cayenne Cleanse Kombucha – 12 Pack Review

The Health-Ade kombucha cleanse aims to give your body a reset. Whether you’ve had too many Christmas cookies or have just overindulged at a party, this process can help get your gut back in tip-top shape.

Health-Ade Cayenne Cleanse kombucha is an incredibly healthy mix of organic cayenne pepper, cold-pressed organic ginger juices, cold-pressed organic lime juice, and probiotics.

The spicy and fresh kombucha can be added to your diet as needed to help with gut and immune health. Or, you can do a Health-Ade kombucha Cayenne Cleanse where you drink the kombucha each day for a set period to give your body time to clean and reset.

Evidence shows that probiotics can change the immune response in your gut. In a literary review^[6] published in Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins, the authors found that probiotics can regulate your immune system. In addition, probiotics regulate the gut barrier permeability, modify mucus secretion, and produce antibacterial compounds.

Growing evidence suggests that probiotics and prebiotics are active in distant areas as well. As highlighted in this article^[7], probiotics and prebiotics may have positive effects on your skin, metabolism, brain, and respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

The company even offers an easy lemonade cleanse recipe that includes Cayenne Cleanse, lemon juice, cold water, raw honey, and ice.

This Health-Ade kombucha case of Cayenne Cleanse is $50.

Health-Ade Pomegranate Kombucha – 12 Pack Review

Sweet, refreshing, and packed full of health benefits, Health-Ade Pomegranate Kombucha is a bestseller for a reason. This yummy and fruity blend includes cold-pressed organic pomegranate juice, along with probiotics and green and black teas.

Like other beverages in the brand’s main collection, Pomegranate Kombucha helps your gut microbiome stay in working order. But, this option tastes like fruity candy.

With everything from the delicious flavor to its low sugar content and the noticeable health benefits the drink provides, it’s a highly recommended must-try beverage. The Pomegranate Kombucha 12 Pack costs $50.

Health-Ade Bubbly Rose Kombucha – 12 Pack Review

This floral and refreshing drink mimics a combo of rose wine and pink lemonade but with a ton of added health benefits. Bubbly Rose’s flavor is as vibrant as its bright pink and blue label.

Health-Ade Bubbly Rose kombucha is a mix of organic pink rose powder, organic hawthorn berry powder, and organic raw mangosteen powder. Like other flavors, this recipe includes probiotics too. But, this carbonated blend is definitely a more elevated and luxurious flavor.

The Health-Ade Bubbly Rose Kombucha 12 Pack is $50.

What is Kombucha?

Kombucha is a superfood drink that is rich in probiotics and organic acids. The drink has a base of fermented black or green tea that first got brewed in China before spreading to other Asian countries. In the last decade or so, Kombucha has become very popular in western countries, especially as a health product.

Kombucha uses four main ingredients: fermented green or black tea, water, sugar, and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, or SCOBY.

The SCOBY absorbs the sugar, which creates healthy acids and gives carbonation to many kombucha drinks. Lactic-acid bacteria gets produced in the fermentation process too. Researchers at the University of Bucharest^[8] have recently identified 5 bacteria that grow in kombucha tea, one of which has proven probiotic activity.

Many varieties and flavors of kombucha now exist, with producers adding a range of fruity natural flavors to the base recipe.

Kombucha tea has been safely consumed for over 5000 years. However, as summarized in a literature review^[9], some adverse events have been reported, most of them isolated and related to the daily intake of kombucha tea. Adverse reactions included jaundice, toxic hepatitis, metabolic acidosis, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and hyperthermia. But the authors state that all cases occurred in immunosuppressed patients who had consumed home-brewed kombucha tea.

In a recently published article^[10], it’s recommended that kombucha should be avoided during pregnancy, in people with comorbidities or hypersensitivity to any of the components. In relation to the reported adverse events, special caution should be taken by immunosuppressed individuals^[11].

Who is Health-Ade Kombucha For You? 

Health-Ade kombucha is great for people who are trying to increase their probiotic intake. Similarly, it’s also useful for people who are trying to improve their gut health or look for an easy source of antioxidants.

Health-Ade Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

Though the brand’s nutritious drinks look and sound delicious, for the purposes of my Health-Ade kombucha review, I needed to see what customers actually thought. Interestingly, the company does not have reviews on popular rating sites like Trustpilot or the BBB, so I turned to its own site, Amazon, and Reddit.

Reviewers on the company’s website give almost every product an average of 4.9/5 stars or higher as of June 2023. Satisfied customers love the delicious flavors and the health benefits, and are impressed with the shipping and how the product is kept cold and fresh. Take this glowing example:

“I love every flavor. Watermelon is my favorite. They’re not too high in calories but I do wish they had a little less sugar. It would be even healthier. But this is my go to kombucha. … I always have some on hand.”

On Amazon, the brand’s products have earned a collective average of 4.6/5 stars as of June 2023 from over 3,500 customer ratings. Across different beverages, many commenters argued that Health-Ade’s kombuchas are the best on the market. One customer says “Buy it!”, and then continues to add:

“This is THE best kombucha you can buy via grocery store/market/amazon. It tastes far better than the others and is made in small batches so it’s extra healthy for your gut. All of the flavors are delicious. The packaging was also super impressive- a cold cooler box with multiple ice packs to keep them nice and cool. I’ll definitely be purchasing again!!”

Positive feedback includes one customer boasting this is the “best kombucha I’ve had”, adding “Amazing stuff. Can’t decide on my favorite flavor! Great price, and I love that they are bigger bottles.”

Similarly, Redditors often recommend Health-Ade to customers who are looking for a new kombucha brand. Here, we learn that the company makes its beverages in small batches, which results in a much better-tasting product. Because of this, many people report that it is well worth the cost.

It was difficult to come across negative Health-Ade kombucha reviews or comments. As noted, one shopper would prefer less sugar in the Kombucha, with others stating the sugar content as a concern too.

Overall, customers are very impressed with Health-Ade kombucha. It tastes great and gets delivered quickly.

Is Health-Ade Worth It?

If you love kombucha or want to give this super healthy drink a try, then Health-Ade comes highly recommended. The vast majority of customers are satisfied with their purchases, as seen by the overwhelming number of 4.5 to 5-star reviews.

Health-Ade offers an awesome array of flavors for all tastes, meaning you’re guaranteed to find a kombucha you like and can mix up your flavor combos all the time. Not to mention, the brand offers a number of recipes to kick your beverage up a notch—with or without alcohol.

The few concerned reviews focus on the sugar content. But, these issues should not deter you. The sugar content is necessary to facilitate fermentation, with many other brands having the same sugar content as this brand’s drinks.

If you want to add kombucha to your diet, then purchasing from Health-Ade is a safe bet to ensure you get a high-quality and super yummy drink.

Health-Ade Promotions & Discounts

This Health-Ade kombucha review learned that the biggest discounts the brand offers are through its subscription service.

Alternatives

Before purchasing a case of Health-Ade kombucha, you may as well check out what else the market has to offer.

JuneShine Kombucha

JuneShine produced hard kombucha, which is a fermented beverage that combines kombucha with alcohol. Their beverages contain many of the same benefits as other kombucha drinks and 6% ABV.

KÖE 

KÖE‘s kombucha is reasonably priced and filled with organic ingredients. Their fruit-infused drinks are widely available.

Remedy Drinks

Remedy Drinks sells kombucha, ginger beer, and switchel. Their products are sweetened with stevia and erythritol, so they’re great for customers who follow a low-sugar diet.

Where to Buy Health-Ade

If you’re craving kombucha, you’ll be happy to hear that there are many places you can get your fix. For US customers (excluding Hawaii and Alaska), you can head to their website or Amazon.

If you’d prefer to buy in-store, that’s not a problem. Health-Ade has retail partners across the US, including Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods. Plus, customers can also order via grocery delivery apps like Instacart and Fresh Direct. For more options, visit the Store Locator on the company’s website.

And, products are also available in Canada at select grocery stores, including IGA, Whole Foods, and Urban Fare. Bulk-shoppers will be happy to hear that there is a Health-Ade kombucha Costco partnership. Some locations carry the brand but be sure to check with your local Costco to confirm.

FAQ

Who owns Health-Ade?

This Health-Ade kombucha review discovered that Husband and wife Justin and Daina Trout and their best friend, Vanessa Dew own the company. The trio set up the brand in 2012 by first selling Kombucha at local farmer’s markets in Los Angeles. The brand now has over 200 employees, 26k retail partners, and sells millions of cases of Kombucha each year.

How much alcohol is in Health-Ade kombucha?

Health-Ade kombucha includes only trace amounts of alcohol due to the fermentation process that occurs during production. This amount of alcohol is so minimal that it should not be of concern, and its website states that the product is even safe for children.

Health-Ade does have recipes for making cocktails out of its Pops, but you would need to add the alcohol yourself.

Do you drink the whole bottle of Health-Ade kombucha?

Yes! If you want, you can definitely drink a whole bottle of Health-Ade kombucha. It’s perfectly fine to drink it daily if you would like to. Of course, carbonated varieties could go flat if you don’t drink them at once, so drinking the whole bottle is actually recommended.

The only times Health-Ade recommends not drinking kombucha is if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a compromised immune system; in which case, check with your doctor for the best advice.

What is Health-Ade’s Shipping Policy?

This Health-Ade kombucha review learned that the brand offers free delivery on all US orders and can ship to all states except Alaska and Hawaii. Parcels get shipped via FedEx. And, all orders are insulated with ice packs while being shipped to keep the product as fresh as possible.

Delivery takes an average of 2-5 business days. You will receive an email once the order ships. Once your parcel is on its way, you’ll receive a FedEx tracking number to check the status of your delivery.

What is Health-Ade’s Return Policy?

Health-Ade does not accept returns due to the difficulty of keeping products fresh and cold during return shipping. If you have any problems with your order, contact the brand’s customer service.

How to Contact Health-Ade Customer Service

If you have questions after reading this Health-Ade kombucha review, you can contact the brand via:

• Contact form for general inquiries and questions relating to online orders
• Contact form for marketing, influencer, and wholesalers queries
• Phone: (844) 337-6368
• Email: [email protected]

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