If someone asked me to describe the taste of kombucha to a person who has never had it, my first thought is obviously comparing it to apple cider vinegar, and while that may not seem appetizing at first, I do have to admit (as I sit here drinking my morning brew) it’s one of those “acquired taste” things that once you get used to it, there’s nothing else that can scratch that itch when you get a craving for it. One of my favorite things about kombucha is all of the different flavors and types it comes in. From light and bubbly to bold and tart, and everything in between, there’s got to be a desirable taste out there for anyone. Better yet, it’s no secret that there are health benefits of drinking nonalcoholic kombucha every day!

Of course, it’s important to remember that as with everything delicious and nutritious, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing! The Centers for Disease Control suggests that you can safely drink 4 oz (1/2 cup) of kombucha 1 to 3 times per day, overdoing it can lead to side effects and those with compromised immune systems are encouraged to avoid it altogether.

So, as long as you’re a healthy adult and can find the inner strength to get over the initial vinegary taste–perhaps you may even find that you enjoy it–then you too can reap these 4 benefits of drinking a serving of your favorite kombucha daily.

1. Probiotics 

Have you ever been told to drink kombucha during or after a round of antibiotics? That’s because kombucha is well known for its probiotic formula that’s supposedly beneficial for promoting balanced and healthy gut flora. According to many studies, the beneficial bacteria found in such probiotic-rich foods can help ward off the opportunistic bad bacteria that make you sick–particularly when you’re taking antibiotics or other medications that are known to disrupt your healthy gut flora.

2. Energy

It’s no secret that kombucha is made from fermented tea leaves, and anyone who’s familiar with tea knows it naturally contains moderate amounts of caffeine. This is great news especially for those (like me) who find that even a cup of coffee makes you jittery! Perhaps the lower amount of caffeine in kombucha is just enough–but not too much–to give you a slight energy boost without overdoing it. So next time you’re feeling a little sluggish at the office, try reaching for a kombucha instead of that sugary energy drink.

3. Antioxidants

According to Harvard, tea contains antioxidant properties that can assist your body in blocking the damaging effects of free radicals. Better yet, their study suggested that tea that’s been unaltered by milk (which if often added to hot tea, but not kombucha) is more likely to be higher in these antioxidant properties.

4. Hydration

Kombucha is a great way to keep hydrated while dually replenishing some of your body’s important electrolytes. If you are one of those people who can’t stand the taste of plain water and are often reaching for a carbonated beverage instead, consider substituting a soda with a bubbly kombucha once in a while.