Who Should Not Use Kombucha Tea?

Kombucha tea is a health drink made by fermenting black or green tea and sugar with a pancake-like culture of bacteria and yeasts. The medical community and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cautioned consumers about its use.

Considerations

According to the FDA, Kombucha tea made in sterile conditions does not prove a safety risk to the general population. Home-brewing of the tea can lead to contamination with the fungus Aspergillus, and the Mayo Clinic claims one contaminated batch of the tea caused several cases of cutaneous anthrax.

Adverse Effects Reported

Some drinkers of the tea have reported adverse allergic reactions, jaundice, nausea and vomiting. There has been one suspected death and a reported case of lead poisoning, which was a result of using a ceramic pot in the brewing process.

Immune-compromised Drinkers

While proponents claim Kombucha tea boosts the immune system, the FDA and American Cancer Society advises against its use by immune-compromised individuals, including those with HIV or cancer.

Pregnant Women

It is generally advised that women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not drink Kombucha tea, as the contamination risk outweighs the unproven benefits of the drink.

Final Warning

Any individual with a major medical condition should always check with a doctor before drinking the tea. The medical community and the FDA also recommends speaking to a doctor before beginning any natural or alternative therapies.

References

• FDA Talk Paper Cautioning Consumers
• American Cancer Society Kombucha Tea Information
• Mayo Clinic Nutricianist's Advice

Resources

• The Kombucha Journal