It all depends on your body.
Kombucha is an acidic drink. While all of the beneficial acids may not be developed in an under-fermented brew, an over-fermented brew may be too acidic and create stress for the digestive system. (However, kombucha that has been brewed/fermented longer will also have less sugar).
It's usually suggested to drink kombucha in the morning on an empty stomach. Some also say to drink kombucha before meals to lose weight and after meals to gain weight.
Happy Herbalist does not recommended kombucha for pregnant or nursing women, or children under the age of 4. Meanwhile, others suggest that kombucha is ok for pregnant women, and that kombucha can be safe for young children. One particular concern is kombucha fermented with honey, especially raw honey, which may contain spores of Clostridium botulinum. Adults can usually tolerate the spores, but because of the possibility of infant botulism, it is not advised to give honey or kombucha fermented with honey to children under the age of 1. In addition, kombucha may interfere with certain medications.
In conclusion, people have different opinions on how much kombucha one should drink and on whether or not kombucha is appropriate for certain groups. What works for one person also may not work for another person. If you are unsure of whether you should be drinking kombucha or not, you may want to consult your doctor or a health care professional. Finally, remember that how much kombucha to drink depends on you.
For some more information on this topic, visit these links:
Kombucha is an acidic drink. While all of the beneficial acids may not be developed in an under-fermented brew, an over-fermented brew may be too acidic and create stress for the digestive system. (However, kombucha that has been brewed/fermented longer will also have less sugar).
It's usually suggested to drink kombucha in the morning on an empty stomach. Some also say to drink kombucha before meals to lose weight and after meals to gain weight.
If you are new to kombucha, you may want to start by drinking 1-2 or 4 fluid oz daily/at a time to let your body adjust to it. You may work your way up to 4 or 8 oz a day, but it's been recommended that you stop at the abosolute max of 32 oz./day!- there is such a thing as too much kombucha! For me, 4 oz. a day (such as 2 oz. in the morning and 2 oz. at night) is plenty.
Happy Herbalist does not recommended kombucha for pregnant or nursing women, or children under the age of 4. Meanwhile, others suggest that kombucha is ok for pregnant women, and that kombucha can be safe for young children. One particular concern is kombucha fermented with honey, especially raw honey, which may contain spores of Clostridium botulinum. Adults can usually tolerate the spores, but because of the possibility of infant botulism, it is not advised to give honey or kombucha fermented with honey to children under the age of 1. In addition, kombucha may interfere with certain medications. In conclusion, people have different opinions on how much kombucha one should drink and on whether or not kombucha is appropriate for certain groups. What works for one person also may not work for another person. If you are unsure of whether you should be drinking kombucha or not, you may want to consult your doctor or a health care professional. Finally, remember that how much kombucha to drink depends on you.
For some more information on this topic, visit these links:
- http://www.happyherbalist.com/cautions.htm#Pregnant,_Nursing_and_children_under_the_age_of_4
- http://www.kombu.de/children.htm
- http://www.organic-kombucha.com/kombucha_use.html and http://www.organic-kombucha.com/kombucha_should_not_use.html
- http://www.kombuchakamp.com/2011/06/kombucha-tea-pregnancy-safety-probiotics-fermented-foods.html
6 comments:
What are the effects on the body for drinking Kombucha at different times of day? you say before a meal to lose weight and after meal to gain weight. What is happening here that would make a difference?
Thanks.
Thanks for your comment! You would still gain health benefits from drinking kombucha any time of day. One possible reason that drinking kombucha before meals can help to promote weight loss, is that drinking liquids before meals helps to fill up the stomach, making you less hungry. For example, CNN mentions a study where participants simply drank water before meals and lost weight http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/08/23/drink.water.lose.weight/index.html. The probiotics in kombucha may contribute to more efficient digestion of calories, potentially leading to weight gain if one drinks kombucha after a meal. In addition, if one already feels full from a meal and drinks kombucha afterwards, that is extra calories as well.
Great blog!
What are the signs that you are drinking too much kombucha?
Thanks,
Debbie
Hello Debbie,
Thanks for your question. I do not have a definite answer for you, and I think that the signs will vary from person-to-person. Hannah Crum, another kombucha brewer, notes that when adding kombucha to the diet, there may be some side effects attributed to the "healing crisis" of toxins leaving the body. For example, symptoms may include headache, fever, or moodiness. http://www.organicsoul.com/is-it-possible-to-drink-too-much-kombucha. Your best bet may be to keep the rest of your diet stable, and then to see how you feel with different amounts of kombucha. The amount of kombucha that one should drink is individualized. If you have serious concerns, you can also contact your health practitioner. I hope that this helps, and if you come across other helpful resources, please feel free to share them!
Does Kombucha made with tea still contain caffeine (which I need to avoid)? Thanks
Yes. According to Sandor Katz's book "The Art of Fermentation," caffeine is still present in kombucha.
Post a Comment