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A fermented concoction made with tea, sugar, bacteria and yeasts might not sound like the most delicious or most beneficial drink, but some believe that is exactly what Kombucha tea is. Some have called it a "magical elixir;" some have dubbed it the new Red Bull only with healthful properties; some claim it can fight everything from baldness to AIDS. However, other sources cite adverse side effects of and deaths linked to the drink.
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Kombucha tea is made by fermenting sweetened green or black tea with a culture of yeasts and bacteria called the "Kombucha mushroom," according to Cancer.org. It is not actually a mushroom; rather, it is called that because of the shape and color of the sac that forms at the top of the tea after fermenting.
Kombucha tea is said to have originated in ancient China, but conflicting reports cite Russia and other countries as the first producing-nations.
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"It's become incredibly trendy lately in the 20-to-30-something, foodie, intelligentsia set," Dr. Daphne Miller, a family practitioner and professor of nutrition and integrative medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, told The New York Times. "Kombucha is like their Coca-Cola."
Kombucha tea is not justy popular amongst a small, healthfully-conscious sect. A-listers like Halle Berry, Madonna, Lindsay Lohan, Kirsten Dunst and Meg Ryan have all been spotted sipping the tea.
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According to The Times, in 2010, Kombucha tea and other "functional" juice sales topped $295 million in the U.S. This was a revenue boost of 25 percent over a two-year-period, as reported by market research company SPINS Inc. In 2009, more than one million bottles of GT's Kombucha were purchased in the U.S. This was the leading commercial brand of the tea at the time, made by Millennium Products.
Popularity has not only increased because of reports of health-benefits, but also because people can make Kombucha tea at home. The Times reported that the Bay Area in California has become a hotspot for the production of the drink, with fans trading recipes and selling good brews.
So is Kombucha tea a miracle or a hoax? Here are the facts.
Reported Benefits
Kombucha tea has been touted as a "magical elixir" that yields amazing benefits for those who consume it.
The yeasts in Kombucha tea break down the sugar and combine with the tea to form antioxidants, minerals and vitamins which some believe are capable of fighting wrinkles and diabetes and boosting the immune system, according to a 2009 article from Marie Claire.
WebMD states that Kombucha tea contains vitamin B, which can help extract more energy and nutrients from other consumed foods. The glucuronic acid reportedly can help strengthen cells and prevent some forms of cancer. Antioxidants are derived from Kombucha's base of green or black tea. Finally, Kombucha tea can balance the body's PH levels and increase blood circulation. Some believe this detoxifies the body by releasing impurities in the blood, liver and kidneys.
Yahoo! Sports published an article describing the benefits Kombucha tea has particularly for athletes. The drink can reportedly increase energy, ease muscle soreness, assist in post-workout recovery and boost athletic performance.
Many point to the "probiotic" nature of Kombucha tea. Probiotic foods have become increasingly popular in recent years, with studies suggesting that probiotic foods can help digestion and boost the immune system, according to The Times.
