[remixff2400]

Isn't that the whole point of the article? Microbiome research is hard? In this case, we're just left with trying to extrapolate loosely based off of trends.

There's nothing to suggest that these things are bad for your health (as far as I'm aware) and there's a hypothesis (not a theory) that these might've contributed to gut microbiomes in the past. But, rather than conclusive proof, it might just be something low-stakes that people can try until more hard research or data is found that has a more conclusive direction, even if it disproves previous hypotheses.

Until then, we're left making best-guess efforts with no conclusive proof. But, suggesting that these have no benefit is also incorrect until we have conclusive data to suggest otherwise. Hence, the point of the article: figuring out stuff about the microbiome is hard.

[PaulHoule]

Anyhow I eat a lot of yogurt and love kimchi, but to be kombucha is only slightly more palatable than battery acid. (e.g. heartburn in a bottle)

[tharkun__]

Scientific proof: see article.

I'm actually with you on the popular culture BS and commercial bandwagon part of everyone talks about kimchi now etc.

But then anecdata of one: before all the kimchi craze and all that started in earnest I was looking into why even an alcohol free beer would give me the worst migraines ever. Other foods would do it too. Alcohol would be even worse.

A lot of googling and trial and error later I found that the microbiome most definitely is involved. In fact, some of these yoghurts that people peddle as good for you would trigger my migraines. Danone Activia for example would give me guaranteed headaches. Too many tomatoes would too.

Really anything histamine producing would which explains why alcohol was doubly bad but not necessary.

And using the right kind of probiotic, which does not include (too many) histamine producing strains but notably does contain "bacillus subtilis" did it for me. And yes I tried a lot before this and I do think but can't scientifically prove that it's that one because most if not all others have been part of other ones I tried before (both in combination probiotics and single strain versions).