KOMBUCHA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Kombucha is made by mixing tea (black, green, red, or white) with sugar and other ingredients, and fermenting at room temperature for 7-14 days with a specific mix of yeast and bacteria. It is sometimes described incorrectly as a mushroom.

People use kombucha for cancer, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

Kombucha contains alcohol, vinegar, B vitamins, caffeine, sugar, and other substances. Kombucha might act as an antioxidant.

View References

REFERENCES:

Pauline, T., Dipti, P., Anju, B., Kavimani, S., Sharma, S. K., Kain, A. K., Sarada, S. K., Sairam, M., Ilavazhagan, G., Devendra, K., and Selvamurthy, W. Studies on toxicity, anti-stress and hepato-protective properties of Kombucha tea. Biomed.Environ.Sci. 2001;14(3):207-213. View abstract.

Perron, A. D., Patterson, J. A., and Yanofsky, N. N. Kombucha "mushroom" hepatotoxicity. Ann.Emerg.Med. 1995;26(5):660-661. View abstract.

Sabouraud, S., Coppere, B., Rousseau, C., Testud, F., Pulce, C., Tholly, F., Blanc, M., Culoma, F., Facchin, A., Ninet, J., Chambon, P., Medina, B., and Descotes, J. [Environmental lead poisoning from lead-glazed earthenware used for storing drinks]. Rev.Med.Interne 2009;30(12):1038-1043. View abstract.

Sadjadi, J. Cutaneous anthrax associated with the Kombucha "mushroom" in Iran. JAMA 11-11-1998;280(18):1567-1568. View abstract.

Sai, Ram M., Anju, B., Pauline, T., Dipti, P., Kain, A. K., Mongia, S. S., Sharma, S. K., Singh, B., Singh, R., Ilavazhagan, G., Kumar, D., and Selvamurthy, W. Effect of Kombucha tea on chromate(VI)-induced oxidative stress in albino rats. J.Ethnopharmacol. 2000;71(1-2):235-240. View abstract.

Sreeramulu, G., Zhu, Y., and Knol, W. Kombucha fermentation and its antimicrobial activity. J.Agric.Food Chem. 2000;48(6):2589-2594. View abstract.

SungHee, Kole A., Jones, H. D., Christensen, R., and Gladstein, J. A case of Kombucha tea toxicity. J.Intensive Care Med. 2009;24(3):205-207. View abstract.

Vijayaraghavan, R., Singh, M., Rao, P. V., Bhattacharya, R., Kumar, P., Sugendran, K., Kumar, O., Pant, S. C., and Singh, R. Subacute (90 days) oral toxicity studies of Kombucha tea. Biomed.Environ.Sci. 2000;13(4):293-299. View abstract.

CDC. Unexplained severe illness possibly associated with consumption of Kombucha tea-Iowa, 1995. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 1995;44:892-3,899-900. View abstract.

FDA Talk Paper. FDA Cautions Consumers on "Kombucha Mushroom Tea." Available at: www.vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/TPMUSHRM.html

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Gedela M, Potu KC, Gali VL, Alyamany K, Jha LK. A case of hepatotoxicity related to kombucha tea consumption. S D Med 2016;69(1):26-8. View abstract.

Jakubczyk K, Ka&lstrok;du&nacute;ska 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;9(5):E447. doi: 10.3390/antiox9050447. View abstract.

Kombucha-toxicity alert. Crit Path AIDS Proj, 1994;30:31-32 1994-5.

Majchrowicz M. Kombucha: a dubious "cure". GMHC Treat Issues 1995;9:10.

Phan TG, Estell J, Duggin G, et al. Lead poisoning from drinking Kombucha tea brewed in a ceramic pot. Med J Aust 1998;169:644-6. View abstract.

Sadjadi J. Anthrax associated with the Kombucha mushroom in Iran. JAMA 1998;280:1567-8.

Srinivasan R, Smolinske S, Greenbaum DJ. Probable gastrointestinal toxicity of Kombucha tea: is this beverage healthy or harmful? J Gen Intern Med 1997;12:643-4. View abstract.

Aloulou, A., Hamden, K., Elloumi, D., Ali, M. B., Hargafi, K., Jaouadi, B., Ayadi, F., Elfeki, A., and Ammar, E. Hypoglycemic and antilipidemic properties of kombucha tea in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. BMC.Complement Altern.Med. 2012;12:63. View abstract.

Banerjee, D., Hassarajani, S. A., Maity, B., Narayan, G., Bandyopadhyay, S. K., and Chattopadhyay, S. Comparative healing property of kombucha tea and black tea against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in mice: possible mechanism of action. Food Funct. 2010;1(3):284-293. View abstract.

Bhattacharya, S., Gachhui, R., and Sil, P. C. Hepatoprotective properties of kombucha tea against TBHP-induced oxidative stress via suppression of mitochondria dependent apoptosis. Pathophysiology. 2011;18(3):221-234. View abstract.

Bhattacharya, S., Manna, P., Gachhui, R., and Sil, P. C. Protective effect of kombucha tea against tertiary butyl hydroperoxide induced cytotoxicity and cell death in murine hepatocytes. Indian J.Exp.Biol. 2011;49(7):511-524. View abstract.

Cetojevic-Simin, D. D., Bogdanovic, G. M., Cvetkovic, D. D., and Velicanski, A. S. Antiproliferative and antimicrobial activity of traditional Kombucha and Satureja montana L. Kombucha. J.BUON. 2008;13(3):395-401. View abstract.

Derk, C. T., Sandorfi, N., and Curtis, M. T. A case of anti-Jo1 myositis with pleural effusions and pericardial tamponade developing after exposure to a fermented Kombucha beverage. Clin.Rheumatol. 2004;23(4):355-357. View abstract.

Dipti, P., Yogesh, B., Kain, A. K., Pauline, T., Anju, B., Sairam, M., Singh, B., Mongia, S. S., Kumar, G. I., and Selvamurthy, W. Lead induced oxidative stress: beneficial effects of Kombucha tea. Biomed.Environ.Sci. 2003;16(3):276-282. View abstract.

Ernst, E. Kombucha: a systematic review of the clinical evidence. Forsch.Komplementarmed.Klass.Naturheilkd. 2003;10(2):85-87. View abstract.

Gamundi, R. and Valdivia, M. [The Kombucha mushroom: two different opinions]. Sidahora. 1995;34-35. View abstract.

Gharib, O. A. Effects of Kombucha on oxidative stress induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Chin Med. 2009;4:23. View abstract.

Greenwalt, C. J., Steinkraus, K. H., and Ledford, R. A. Kombucha, the fermented tea: microbiology, composition, and claimed health effects. J.Food Prot. 2000;63(7):976-981. View abstract.

Hartmann, A. M., Burleson, L. E., Holmes, A. K., and Geist, C. R. Effects of chronic kombucha ingestion on open-field behaviors, longevity, appetitive behaviors, and organs in c57-bl/6 mice: a pilot study. Nutrition 2000;16(9):755-761. View abstract.

Ibrahim, N. D., Kwanashie, H. O., Njoku, C. O., and Olurinola, P. F. Screening of "Kargasok tea". IV: Studies of pathological effects in BALB/C mice and Wistar rats. Vet.Hum.Toxicol. 1993;35(5):399-402. View abstract.

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Murugesan, G. S., Sathishkumar, M., Jayabalan, R., Binupriya, A. R., Swaminathan, K., and Yun, S. E. Hepatoprotective and curative properties of Kombucha tea against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity. J.Microbiol.Biotechnol. 2009;19(4):397-402. View abstract.

No author. Unexplained severe illness possibly associated with consumption of Kombucha tea--Iowa, 1995. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. JAMA 1-10-1996;275(2):96-98. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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KOMBUCHA - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

How does it work ?

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with KOMBUCHA

Minor Interaction

Disulfiram (Antabuse) interacts with KOMBUCHA

Dosing

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