![]() Homebrewed kombucha teas are considered riskier than store-bought alternatives. If drinking kombucha tea gives you headaches or migraines, consider abstaining. Though it’s unclear why it happens, several studies have linked tyramine intake to headaches and migraines in some people ( 11, 12). May Cause Headaches or Migrainesįermented foods and beverages, such as kombucha, can be high in tyramine, a naturally occurring amino acid ( 10). If you refrain from caffeine, kombucha tea may not be right for you. While caffeine has health benefits, some people choose to avoid it because of its side effects such as restlessness, anxiety, poor sleep and headaches ( 8, 9). Kombucha tea is made by fermenting green or black tea, which naturally contain caffeine. ![]() People with weakened immune systems, older adults, children and pregnant women should avoid homebrewed kombucha tea because it may cause serious harm if it carries harmful bacteria ( 7). Some types of kombucha teas - especially homebrewed varieties - are unpasteurized and may host potentially harmful bacteria. This process is designed to kill harmful bacteria and has significantly lowered the risk of tuberculosis, diphtheria, listeriosis and many others diseases ( 7). Pasteurization is a process in which high heat is applied to liquids or foods. Here are some common concerns about kombucha teas. SummaryĬommercial kombucha teas contain less than 0.5% alcohol, while homebrewed kombucha teas may have significantly higher amounts.Īside from its alcohol content, kombucha tea has other properties that may pose certain risks. What’s more, homebrewed kombucha tea is unpasteurized and may raise the chances of miscarriage ( 6).īreastfeeding mothers may want to avoid homebrewed kombucha as well, as alcohol can pass through breast milk. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid drinking homebrewed kombucha tea as it may contain significantly higher amounts of alcohol.įederal agencies recommend avoiding alcohol throughout pregnancy. The alcohol content of commercial kombucha teas shouldn’t concern most people. In fact, some homebrews have as much as 3% alcohol or higher ( 2, 5). However, homebrewed kombucha teas tend to have significantly higher alcohol content. This meets regulations set by the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Trade Bureau ( 4). ![]() The agency’s website notes, “The combination of sugar and yeast triggers fermentation, which may produce a kombucha with an alcohol content of 0.5 percent or more alcohol by volume.” The fermentation may continue after the tea is shipped, and sometimes causes bottles to explode.Fermentation involves the breakdown of sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide.Īs a result, kombucha tea does contain small amounts of alcohol.Ĭommercial kombucha teas are labeled “non-alcoholic” because they contain less than 0.5% alcohol. Folks deserve to know what they’re drinking,’’ said Thomas Hogue, a TTB spokesman. “There are people who can’t drink for religious or health reasons. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), which sent out the warning letters, says it wants to enforce warning labels, minimum age requirements, special taxes and other alcohol regulations. “Nobody’s saying, ‘let me get a six-pack of kombucha and get wasted tonight,’’’ said Hannah Crum, President of Kombucha Brewers International, a trade group that represents dozens of producers. ![]() The company argues the government’s method of testing is faulty. Millennium says its products’ alcohol content is below the U.S. Beer contains about 5 percent alcohol, the article notes. One of the complaints alleges alcohol levels of up to 3.8 percent. The company makes GT’s Enlightened and Synergy brands of kombucha tea. engaged in deceptive practices in alcohol-content labeling. The Wall Street Journal reports two consumer complaints seeking class action status were filed in October in California that claimed Millennium Products Inc. ![]() The fermented tea has become one of the country’s fastest-growing bottled drinks. Federal regulators have warned some makers of kombucha tea that their drinks have alcohol levels above one-half of 1 percent, which makes them alcoholic drinks under the law. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |