Kombucha tea is a Japanese fermented drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria and
yeast. Though it is sometimes referred to as kombucha mushroom tea, it does not contain mushrooms. The resulting liquid contains vinegar, B vitamins
and a number of other chemical compounds.
Several health benefits have been attributed to kombucha tea including stimulating the
immune system, preventing cancer, and improving digestion and liver
function.
Kombucha
is claimed to be an effective metabolic balancer , probiotic, adaptogen and detoxifier. The
probiotic encourages healthier intestinal fd flora
by introducing lactic acid-producing bacteria. These work in a similar
way to acidophilus bacteria, the active ingredient in live yogurt.
On the flip side, there has been some evidence from small case studies has shown kombucha to aggravate symptoms of ulcerative colitis in patients taking remicade, potentially causing life-threatening side effects, such as causing the appendix to burst. Other health claims may be due to the simple acidity of the drink,
possibly influencing the production of stomach acids or modifying the
communities of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract.
According to the Mayo clinic, there's no scientific evidence to support stated
health claims. There have, however, been reports of adverse effects such as stomach
upset, infections and allergic reactions in kombucha tea drinkers. When brewed at home, it is often brewed in non-sterile conditions,
making contamination likely. If ceramic pots are used for brewing, lead
poisoning could be a concern.
The Mayo Clinic suggests to avoid kombucha tea until
more definitive information is available.
My thoughts (and I am not a doctor or RD)....There does not seem to be enough evidence to really stand behind the health claims. I know that may grocery store chains such as
Whole Foods and
Fresh Market carry various brands of Kambucha. The US requires that food sold for consumption through mass markets meet FDA criteria. If you choose to drink Kombucha I suggest only purchasing though a commercial market to be on the safe side.
