By Beth Krietsch. What is kombucha? Related Stories. Are Mushrooms Healthy? Here's What Experts Say. Already a print subscriber? Truth be told, most people will enjoy kombucha, even if it's an acquired taste at the start. The only time you should think critically about giving kombucha is if you have histamine intolerance, according to Dr. Becky Campbell , a board-certified functional medicine doctor. This chemical produced in the body helps our immune system fight off pathogens, and many people have trouble breaking it down.
Because kombucha is fermented, it produces the type of bacteria that can actually increase histamine levels in the body. So for histamine intolerant people, Kombucha is not a good idea. Get even more healthy tips straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter! We asked the experts to share everything they know about this popular fermented drink.
By Lindsay Tigar. Can you drink too much kombucha? Read This Next. We ask a dietitian for the answer. For example, she said the detoxification potential of kombucha hasn't actually been tested in humans yet.
Excess sugar inside some kombucha brands can lead to extra consumption of calories. To avoid eating too much sugar, Gans recommends selecting kombucha brands like KeVita , as it uses stevia a sugar substitute to help keep overall sugar levels down. Gans says kombucha is made from tea, meaning there will definitely be caffeine present inside the beverage.
However, given that some individuals may be very sensitive to caffeine, she said this may not be the best beverage choice for them to select. Kombucha may not be wise for those looking to avoid alcohol as the fermentation process adds alcohol, said Gans.
If you are trying to avoid alcohol altogether, she recommends looking for brands that have a certified no alcohol beverage on the label. She says some kombucha can actually be over-fermented and made in a poorly sanitized environment, making it potentially dangerous. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options.
Kombucha has been found to benefit digestive health due to its probiotics , or beneficial bacteria. However, consuming too much may cause side effects Drinking carbonated beverages delivers carbon dioxide CO2 into the digestive system, which may cause bloating and excess gas Additionally, kombucha contains compounds called FODMAPs , specific types of carbohydrates that can cause digestive distress in many people, particularly those with IBS Lastly, consuming too many kombucha drinks may lead to excessive sugar intake, which can cause water to be drawn into your intestines, causing diarrhea 13 , For these reasons, some people may experience bloating, gas and diarrhea if they consume too much kombucha.
Many kombucha drinks are sweetened with fruit juice or cane sugar to make the product more appealing to customers. When consumed in excess, added sugars — especially from sugar-sweetened beverages — can negatively impact your health in a number of ways. For example, sugar-sweetened beverages have been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, obesity, fatty liver and heart disease 15 , 16 , 17 , Depending on the brand, just one serving of kombucha can contain as much as 28 grams of sugar, the equivalent of 7 teaspoons When shopping for kombucha, look for drinks that contain less than 4 grams of sugar per serving to keep your added sugar intake to a minimum.
Because kombucha is unpasteurized and contains a mix of different types of bacteria and yeasts, it can promote the growth of opportunistic bacteria that can lead to infections in certain people.
For instance, those who have weakened immune systems, such as people with cancer, kidney disease or HIV, can develop serious complications from drinking kombucha Although rare, there have been reported cases of severe allergic reactions, acidosis and liver complications due to potentially contaminated kombucha consumption Since kombucha is unpasteurized and contains small amounts of caffeine and alcohol , pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid it as well Kombucha is usually made with black or green tea, both of which contain caffeine.
People sensitive to the effects of caffeine may feel anxious or jittery if consuming too much kombucha To reap the benefits of kombucha without consuming too many calories, limit your intake to one to two 8-ounce ml servings per day.
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