Last update Oct. 21, 2020

Kombucha

High Risk

Poorly safe. Evaluate carefully. Use safer alternative or interrupt breastfeeding 3 to 7 T ½ (elimination half-lives). Read the Comment.

A drink produced from tea and sugar or fermented honey with a mixed culture of certain bacteria and yeast.
It has antioxidant properties (Martínez 2020, Jakubczyk 2020).
Its alcohol content can reach between 0.5º and 1.7º (Maldita 2020, Liu 2019, Nal 2019).

None of the therapeutic properties which are attributed to it have been scientifically proven (Maldita 2020, Kapp 2019, Martini 2018, Caorsi 2017, Ernst 2003, Majchrowicz 1995, Hauser 1990).
There is little published literature and even less relating to its effects on humans.
Hepatic damage, metabolic acidosis, cutaneous infection from anthrax and even death have occurred in relation to its consumption (Mirzai 2019, Gedela 2016, SungHee 2009, Derk 2004, Srinivasan 1997, CDC 1995, Crit Path AIDS 1994).

Since the last update we have found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

The lack of literature and its potential toxicity added to the lack of precise therapeutic indications makes it a non-essential product, especially during the period of breastfeeding (Martini 2018).

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

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Kombucha in other languages or writings:

Group

Kombucha belongs to this group or family:

References

  1. Maldita ciencia. La kombucha y sus supuestas propiedades beneficiosas: no hay evidencias científicas de que las tenga, puede contener alcohol y, si no se elabora adecuadamente, puede resultar perjudicial. Maldita.es 2020 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  2. Jakubczyk K, Kałduńska J, Kochman J, Janda K. Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of the Kombucha Beverage Derived from White, Green, Black and Red Tea. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020 May 22;9(5). pii: E447. Abstract
  3. Martínez-Leal J, Ponce-García N, Escalante-Aburto A. Recent Evidence of the Beneficial Effects Associated with Glucuronic Acid Contained in Kombucha Beverages. Curr Nutr Rep. 2020 Sep;9(3):163-170. Abstract
  4. Kapp JM, Sumner W. Kombucha: a systematic review of the empirical evidence of human health benefit. Ann Epidemiol. 2019 Feb;30:66-70. Abstract
  5. Liu Y, Chan M, Blake E, Sy H, Brown PN. Determination of Ethanol Content in Kombucha Products by Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection: A Multilaboratory Study. J AOAC Int. 2019 May 1;102(3):878-882. Abstract
  6. Mirzai S, Rifai AO, Webb S, Rifai K, Reiner A. Probable Clostridium septicum pneumocephalus in a user of natural remedies with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus type 1. IDCases. 2019 Jun 25;17:e00581. Abstract
  7. [No authors listed] Determination of Ethanol in Kombucha, Juices, and Alcohol-Free Beer by Enzytec(TM) Liquid Ethanol: Single-Laboratory Validation, First Action 2017.07. J AOAC Int. 2019 Jan 1;102(1):316-318. No abstract available. Abstract
  8. Martini N. Potion or Poison? Kombucha. J Prim Health Care. 2018 Mar;10(1):93-94. Abstract
  9. Caorsi, Laura. La kombucha y los siete milagritos. Consumer. 2017 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  10. Gedela M, Potu KC, Gali VL, Alyamany K, Jha LK. A Case of Hepatotoxicity Related to Kombucha Tea Consumption. S D Med. 2016 Abstract
  11. SungHee Kole A, Jones HD, Christensen R, Gladstein J. A case of Kombucha tea toxicity. J Intensive Care Med. 2009 Abstract
  12. Derk CT, Sandorfi N, Curtis MT. A case of anti-Jo1 myositis with pleural effusions and pericardial tamponade developing after exposure to a fermented Kombucha beverage. Clin Rheumatol. 2004 Abstract
  13. Ernst E. Kombucha: a systematic review of the clinical evidence. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2003 Abstract
  14. Srinivasan R, Smolinske S, Greenbaum D. Probable gastrointestinal toxicity of Kombucha tea: is this beverage healthy or harmful? J Gen Intern Med. 1997 Abstract
  15. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).. Unexplained severe illness possibly associated with consumption of Kombucha tea--Iowa, 1995. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1995 Abstract
  16. Majchrowicz M. Kombucha: a dubious "cure". GMHC Treat Issues. 1995 Abstract
  17. [No authors listed] Kombucha--toxicity alert. Crit Path AIDS Proj. 1994 Abstract
  18. Hauser SP. [Dr. Sklenar's Kombucha mushroom infusion--a biological cancer therapy. Documentation No. 18]. Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax. 1990 Abstract

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