Probable Gastrointestinal Toxicity of Kombucha Tea: Is This Beverage Healthy or Harmful
Authors:
Radhika Srinlvasan, MD, Susan Smolinske, PharmD, David Greenbaum, MD
Abstract:
Kombucha tea is a healthy beverage made by incubating the Kombucha "mushroom" in tea and sugar. Although therapeutic benefits have been attributed to the drink, neither its beneficial effects nor adverse side effects have been reported widely in the scientific literature. Side effects probably related to the consumption of Kombucha tea are reported in four patients. Two presented with symptoms of an allergic reaction, the third with jaundice, and the fourth with nausea, vomiting, and head and neck pain. In all four, the use of Kombucha tea in proximity to the onset of symptoms and symptom resolution on cessation of tea drinking suggests a probable etiologic association.
Keywords: alternative therapies, gastrointestinal toxicity, kombucha tea, allergic reactions
Country: USA
Citation: Journal of general internal medicine, 12(10), 643-645.
Study Mailing Address:
Dr. Srinlvasan, Dept of Medicine, Div of Gastroenterology, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, 1400 WallaceBlvd, Amarillo, TX 79106-1797
Date Updated: March 13, 2020
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