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Probable Gastrointestinal Toxicity of Kombucha Tea
Is This Beverage Healthy or Harmful?
Article first published online: 28 FEB 2002
DOI: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.1997.07127.x
1997 by the Society of General Internal Medicine
1525-1497/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=4a710b4daf160c92826e7423b0018dd67da34f4e "Journal of General Internal Medicine")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Srinivasan, R., Smolinske, S., PharmD and Greenbaum, D. (1997), Probable Gastrointestinal Toxicity of Kombucha Tea . Journal of General Internal Medicine, 12: 643–645. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.1997.07127.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 28 FEB 2002
- Article first published online: 28 FEB 2002
- Abstract
- Cited By
Keywords:
- alternative therapies;
- gastrointestinal toxicity;
- Kombucha tea;
- allergic reactions
Kombucha tea is a health 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 consumption of Kombucha tea are reported in four patients. Two presented with symptoms of allergic reaction, the third with jaundice, and the fourth with nausea, vomiting, and head and neck pain. In all four, use of Kombucha tea in proximity to onset of symptoms and symptom resolution on cessation of tea drinking suggest a probable etiologic association.