Does Kombucha Tea Work?

There are mixed reviews surrounding the effectiveness of Kombucha tea. Kombucha tea treatments have been employed for centuries around the world as they're thought to possess a number of therapeutic qualities; however, there is a lack of scientific evidence confirming the tea's efficiency and benefit for particular conditions.

What's Kombucha Tea & What Makes it Work?

• Black or green tea, sugar and other elements are added to Kombucha cultures and are fermented to make the tea. During the fermentation process, a range of microorganisms (including bacteria, yeast, B vitamins, vinegar, butyric acid, gluconic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, oxalic acid, usnic acid and glucuronic acid) join together. The combination of these microorganisms is attributed to the tea's medicinal properties. According to Organic-kombucha.com, the tea's elements contain antibiotic, probiotic and antioxidant properties, making it an effective metabolic balancer and adaptogen. It promotes intestinal health, stabilizes the acidity level of the gut, boosts the immune system and plays a vital role in the body's overall functioning.

Alleged Kombucha Health Benefits

• According to an article from the Nutrition for Optimum Health Association (NOHA), various health claims connected with Kombucha tea are that it can activate the glandular system, cleanse the gallbladder, dissolve gallstones, eliminate skin problems/wrinkles, improve menopausal symptoms and digestion, increase blood circulation and energy, lower cholesterol, blood pressure and anxiety, speed healing, strengthen muscles and lengthen a person's lifespan. The article also notes how a number of practitioners consider Kombucha tea as having the power to alleviate particular ailments such as arthritis, bronchitis, cancer, cataracts, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, edemas, gout, hypoglycemia, irritable bowel syndrome, kidney/prostate/liver disorders, migraines and multiple sclerosis. That being said, the article repeatedly states how "Only a few of the health claims made for Kombucha tea have a scientific basis, even though some existing studies do suggest potential health benefits." A majority of the claims for Kombucha tea are not sufficiently verified.

Opinions from the Experts

• Seeing as there's a tremendous lack of scientific evidence concerning whether or not Kombucha tea works, you should discuss it with your doctor prior to using it. Additionally, Kombucha tea has been known to exacerbate certain medical conditions, alter the potency and effectiveness of other drug regimens and trigger side effects or adverse reactions. An article on the Mayo Clinic website mentions reports of toxic reactions to the teas and how the Food and Drug Administration cautions against its usage. The author remarks on the lack of evidence and studies aimed at calculating the risks and benefits of Kombucha tea and recommends avoiding it until there's validating evidence. Along those lines, the American Cancer Society notes that full studies of interactions and effects are not often available and "No human studies have been published in the available scientific literature that support any of the health claims made for Kombucha tea."