As why shouldn t you shake kombucha becomes ever more popular among health trendsetters, it’s important to understand how it works and what its benefits are. Kombucha is a fermented drink made from tea, sugar, and bacteria and yeast. During the fermentation process, the yeast digests some of the sugar in the liquid to create a small amount of alcohol and some carbonation. The live cultures in kombucha—also known as probiotics—help balance nonharmful bacteria and yeast in the gut and help your body absorb nutrients.

You’ll find kombucha in many different forms, from store-bought to homemade. However, if you make it yourself, there’s an extra step in the process that can be crucial to your health.

Shaking kombucha is generally not recommended due to a few key reasons

Shaking kombucha before you open it disrupts the delicate yeast-bacteria balance and can cause it to explode. A better option is to gently tilt the bottle back and forth or use a straw to stir it instead. This allows the “happy particles” that settle in the bottom to be evenly distributed without disturbing the drink.

It’s also a good idea to keep kombucha refrigerated and in its original glass bottle. This will reduce the risk of contamination and the growth of molds. Additionally, consumers should always check the label on kombucha before purchasing it. It should be clearly labeled with the name of the manufacturer or distributor, a list of ingredients (including any additives), an expiration date, and instructions to keep it in the refrigerator.