What Is Kombucha Tea? Incredibly Beneficial or Another Deception?

Other names for kombucha tea:

• Tea mushroom
• Kombucha
• Champagne of life
• Manchurian mushroom
• Kargasok tea
• Spumante
• Tschambucco

What is kombu (kombucha) tea?

Known in our country as kombu , kombucha is a symbiotic culture of fungi and bacteria growing within a semipermeable membrane. Kombucha tea is prepared by fermenting sweetened black tea with a kombucha culture for 7-10 days. The resulting tea is mildly carbonated and acidic. It is rich in caffeine, sugar and B vitamins, ingredients claimed to provide health benefits. Kombucha has demonstrated antibiotic and antioxidant effects in laboratories and animals, but very little benefit in humans.

Kombucha tea has not been shown to treat cancer or AIDS in humans

Serious side effects have been reported due to contamination associated with fermented kombucha (details follow). Fermentation makes it easily contaminated. Allergic reactions, jaundice, serious illness and, rarely, death have been associated with drinking home-grown kombucha. It may also reduce absorption of drugs sensitive to stomach acidity (pH levels).

For which medical conditions is kombucha being tried?

To treat atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)

Scientific evidence is insufficient to support this claim.

Treating cancer

Early animal studies suggested possible anticancer use through antioxidant effects, but human cancer treatment studies are lacking. Furthermore, scientific studies now show that antioxidants—particularly in supplement form—may, rather than stop cancer, trigger it, according to scientific studies .

Treating diabetes

There is no scientific evidence supporting this use in humans.

Treating AIDS

This claim has not been considered worthy of scientific investigation.

To lower blood pressure

There is no scientific evidence supporting this use in humans.

To stimulate the immune system

Animal studies show immune-stimulating activity, but no evidence supports this use in humans.

How does kombucha work?

Possible mechanisms of action

Preparing kombucha produces a mildly carbonated, acidic, high-calorie fermented drink. It has demonstrated antimicrobial activity against many pathogenic microorganisms even when its acidity is reduced. This suggests antimicrobial compounds other than acetic acid and large proteins. Kombucha has also been shown to contain high levels of B vitamins . These are, of course, essential micronutrients, but high doses— for example, vitamins B6 and B12 —were shown to increase lung cancer risk in a study whose results were announced in 2017.

The culture method makes kombucha easily contaminated by other organisms. This can be particularly dangerous for people with weak immune systems; contamination with Aspergillus fungus and the anthrax-causing bacterium Bacillus anthrax has been reported. Green tea has also been tried and promoted fermentation better, but black tea is probably preferred for flavor.

When kombucha should not be consumed

• Immunosuppression: If your immune system is weakened by disease or medication, such as immunosuppressive drugs after organ transplantation, contaminated kombucha drinks may cause infections.
• If you take drugs sensitive to stomach pH: Kombucha may reduce their absorption.

Kombucha side effects and harms

Cases reported in scientific literature:

• Topical (skin) use: Anthrax occurred in 20 people who applied kombucha cultures grown in unhygienic conditions to their skin for healing.
• Consumption as tea: Reports include severe illness and death, lead poisoning from preparation in ceramic containers, allergic reactions, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, head and neck pain, impaired liver function, fungal infections, fluid between the lung membranes (pleural effusions), fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion with tamponade), and muscle inflammation (myositis).

In conclusion, kombucha tea is a fermented, sugary, acidic drink. Marketed for probiotic properties because it is fermented, it has not been shown to cure any disease. Its serious health risks should also be recognized, and it should not be recommended to everyone.

- What are probiotics? Is yogurt beneficial for colon cancer prevention and gut microbiota?