Kombucha what? Kombucha tea. Still no clue? Think back about 10 years ago. It was the big diet/health trend where everyone made it at home. It is a bacterial colony that resembles mushrooms, commonly consumed as a sweetened black tea. It is hailed as a digestive, weight loss and well-being tonic.
I’m all for raw, organic, health and wellness products but as someone with food intolerances and also a compromised immune system I am always a bit wary of what I put in my mouth. Especially when it is a product promising to be the health elixir for all illnesses.
I recently went to west end markets in Brisbane and tried a few samples of Kombucha at a health stand. A day and a half later I was in hospital with one of the worst stomach bugs I have ever experienced. Vomiting and abdominal pain so severe I was placed on morphine and admitted and fed intravenous antibiotics for three solid days. The doctors concluded it was not just a coincidence.
Now while I got very ill, I don’t have a particular axe to grind. These things do happen. But from what the medical team told me, there had been a few cases recently, from people doing it from home as well as buying from stalls who have presented with similar symptoms across the Queensland South East.
So because it’s not just a once off I thought I would put up a post on it.
It’s especially relevant for those who have auto-immune diseases and compromised immune systems. Not only can it cause vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness but since mold may develop during the fermenting process, people with mold allergies are at heightened risk of experiencing allergic reactions.
Toxic reactions, or adverse physical reactions have been reported as well, however, most alarming is the effect which various types of bacteria, fungus and yeast may develop during the brewing and fermenting processes can have for people with cancer, HIV/AIDS and other immune related problems. Due to the bacteria and often potent germs which can grow within the substance it can cause very serious and often life threatening side effects.
As I don’t have a spleen, my own immune response was severe. It scared not only me, but my family.
What scared me further, was the thought of what would happen if I had a family member who had cancer consume it? With their immune system already lowered and struggling due to chemo or radiation, the introduction of such a substance could end up placing them back in hospital with an internal bacterial infection and potentially make them further susceptible to other life threatening illnesses.
It might be a nice, light and refreshing tonic for most people. But for others, there really needs to be a caution or warning.
Dr. Andrew Weil, a doctor and leader in alternative health, wrote on his Web site: “I don’t recommend Kombucha tea at all. I know of no scientific studies backing up the health claims made for it.” He even warns people of home-brews containing aspergillus, a toxin-producing fungus. This could seriously harm those with compromised immune systems, pregnant women, children and the elderly.
Most people don’t even think twice about trying a free sample at a market but for those with immune issues or other health related intolerances and conditions, think twice. At best it could save you a hospital stay.
I’ll be forwarding this blog to the Kombucha group who produced the tea. For all the medical reports on its benefits the company includes in its brochure, there really should be something on some of the risks to those with immune problems.
Just some food for thought as always and if it prevents someone else with a lazy immune system avoiding a hospital stay then it’s worth it
x
J
For anyone who wants to read more, check out some medical blogs/reports on some of the dangers there:
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/07/kombucha-tea-dangerous-health.html
nb: obviously this is not to be taken as medical advice, merely insight into some of the side effects this product can produce. If you do experience vomiting, abdominal pain, sweats, aches and pains, high fever and nausea you should seek a medical professional for assistance on diagnosis and treatment.
defloured daily 