Kombucha and its side effects that nutritionists recommend avoiding. Kombucha is a frothy, fermented beverage made from tea, sugar or honey, and a blend of probiotics and yeast. It is often flavored with fruits, herbs, or other ingredients to give it a unique flavor and help counteract the acidity. Kombucha enthusiasts rave about its potential health benefits, such as boosting gut health, reducing inflammation, and lowering blood sugar levels.
However, kombucha can have side effects , which can occur in part due to the unreliable manufacturing process. Kombucha also contains live bacteria and yeast, which can also cause side effects.
Kombucha and its side effects
1. Kombucha drinks may contain ingredients you may be allergic to. Be sure to check the label and avoid ingredients that may cause allergies.
2. Risk of contamination in homemade kombucha. Homemade kombucha is at high risk of contamination with harmful microorganisms due to different pasteurization methods and lack of standards in production. The ยูฟ่าเบท https://ufabet999.app water used to make kombucha may contain contaminants. Bacteria and other microorganisms, such as yeast, can create toxins in the final kombucha product. Contaminants can be harmful to pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, and people with weakened immune systems.
Certain types of containers (such as metal, clay, or plastic) may increase the risk of contamination. Clay and glazed containers may cause lead poisoning due to leakage.
3. Risk of infection and illness from drinking kombucha
Due to the lack of quality control, kombucha production often contains unknown ingredients and may be contaminated with harmful microorganisms, which can lead to infections and illnesses. People with weakened immune systems should avoid kombucha. There have been reports of people suffering from severe illnesses after consuming kombucha, such as high lactic acid in the blood, hepatitis, and kidney failure.⁵
If you are concerned about infection, even if you are healthy, you should choose pasteurized kombucha.
4. Kombucha and caffeine effects on the body
The type of tea used to make kombucha affects the amount of caffeine. Some green teas, such as yerba mate and black tea, can make kombucha higher in caffeine.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says a 12-ounce serving of kombucha can contain up to 41 milligrams of caffeine, while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that healthy adults consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. If you’re someone who takes longer to break down caffeine, you may feel more caffeine side effects.
If you are sensitive to caffeine, are taking medications that may interact with caffeine, or have a medical condition that caffeine may affect, consider the caffeine side effects of drinking kombucha.
5. Kombucha and blood sugar control
Studies have shown that kombucha may be beneficial for controlling blood sugar levels. However, sugar is a necessary ingredient in making kombucha. The type of sugar used and the fermentation method also affect the sugar content of the final kombucha product.
6. Kombucha and alcohol health effects
The natural fermentation process in kombucha production can lead to the production of alcohol. Controlling the alcohol content in homemade kombucha is challenging. The amount and type of sugar used and the fermentation duration affect the alcohol content. Analysis of kombucha by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found the alcohol content per serving to be between 0.7% and 1.3%, which may be higher in homemade kombucha.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines moderate alcohol consumption as one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Kombucha should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, for children, people with alcohol problems, people with liver disease, or people taking certain medications.
7. Kombucha and digestive problems
Drinking kombucha has been reported to cause digestive problems, flatulence, dizziness, and headaches. Drinking large quantities of kombucha, improper fermentation, the type of sugar used, and/or contamination by harmful bacteria or other microorganisms that are accidentally introduced during preparation may contribute to these side effects.
Introducing the bacteria into your gut microbiome is not recommended for people with compromised immune systems or those who are seriously ill. Kombucha may also contain sucrose, glucose, and fructose.¹¹ Those who avoid certain sugars (such as those with irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, or those following a low-FODMAP diet) may need to be careful with their consumption.
Care should be taken to avoid possible digestive effects when drinking kombucha, especially homemade kombucha.
8. Kombucha and dental problems
The effects of kombucha on dental health are not clear. However, kombucha contains sugar and is acidic, which can have adverse effects on oral health.