Could Become Contaminated With Harmful BacteriaĪlthough more likely to happen in home-brewed kombucha than commercially prepared beverages, it is possible for kombucha to become contaminated with harmful pathogens. The FDA recommends avoiding unpasteurized products during pregnancy, including milk, soft cheeses and raw juices, as these may contain harmful bacteria ( 14, 15).Įxposure to harmful pathogens, such as listeria, could harm pregnant women and their unborn babies, including increasing the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth ( 15, 16). When kombucha is in its purest form, it has not been pasteurized.
Pasteurization is a method of heat processing beverages and food to kill harmful bacteria, such as listeria and salmonella. However, with uncertainty, there is always a risk. The effects of alcohol consumption in minute amounts during pregnancy or while nursing are still undetermined. Therefore, it may not be a bad idea to wait a while before breastfeeding after consuming kombucha. In general, it takes 1–2 hours for your body to metabolize one serving of alcohol (12-ounce beer, 5-ounce wine or 1.5-ounce spirit) ( 12).Īlthough the amount of alcohol found in kombucha is much less than one serving of alcohol, it should still be considered, as babies metabolize alcohol at a much slower rate than adults ( 13). Plus, it is important to understand that kombucha produced by home-brewers tends to have a higher alcohol content, with some brews noted to have up to 3% ( 6, 10).Īlcohol can pass into breast milk if consumed by the breastfeeding mother ( 11). The CDC also states that all types of alcohol can be equally harmful ( 9). However, federal agencies continue to recommend completely restricting alcohol consumption during all trimesters of pregnancy. Kombucha sold commercially as a “non-alcoholic” beverage still contains very small amounts of alcohol, but can contain no more than 0.5% according to Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations ( 8).Ī 0.5% alcohol content is not a lot, and is the same amount found in most non-alcoholic beers. The fermentation process of kombucha tea results in the production of alcohol in trace amounts ( 6, 7). Popularity in recent years due to its potential health benefits, specificallyĪlthough kombucha offers many health benefits, there are some things to keep in mind before consuming it while pregnant or nursing.
Is a fermented tea, usually brewed from green or black tea. Probiotics are associated with various health benefits, including digestive health, weight loss and potentially even helping reduce systemic inflammation ( 3, 4, 5).
It is a good source of probiotics, which provide your gut with healthy bacteria ( 2). Kombucha has increased in sales recently due to its perceived health benefits. You can find kombucha in grocery stores, but some people chose to brew their kombucha themselves, which requires careful preparation and monitoring. The kombucha is then transferred into bottles and left to ferment for another 1–2 weeks to carbonate, resulting in a slightly sweet, slightly acidic and refreshing beverage.įrom there, kombucha is usually kept refrigerated in order to decelerate the fermentation and carbonation process. Generally, a SCOBY (a flat, round culture of bacteria and yeast) is placed into sweetened tea and fermented at room temperature for a few weeks ( 1). However, it typically consists of a double fermentation process. The process of preparing kombucha can vary. Kombucha is a fermented beverage often made from black or green tea.
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