Can you drink kombucha while pregnant? Potential Risks & Alternatives
It’s natural to have questions about what foods and beverages are safe during this crucial period. With its growing popularity, one question often arises: Can you drink kombucha while pregnant? Let us explore the facts and discuss the possible risks involved with kombucha.
More questions about what’s safe to eat and drink during pregnancy? Search for “Safe” on the Baby2Body website.
Did you know?
The exact origin of Kombucha is uncertain, but it’s believed to have originated in Northeast China over 2,000 years ago!
Can you drink kombucha while pregnant?
Kombucha contains caffeine, and some amount of alcohol, and isn’t always pasteurized (a process that kills harmful bacteria). Research is limited, but it may be best to avoid drinking kombucha while pregnant and breastfeeding due to these reasons.
What is Kombucha?
Before we get into why you should avoid drinking kombucha during pregnancy, let’s cover the basics. What exactly is kombucha? Kombucha is a fermented tea drink that is fizzy and has an acidic taste. It is made from tea, sugar, and a bacterial culture called a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast).
Kombucha is made by adding a SCOBY into sweetened black or green tea, then letting it ferment for 1–4 weeks. The bacteria and yeast in the SCOBY break down the tea’s sugars and convert them into alcohol, acids, and carbon dioxide.
The live bacteria and yeast cultures in kombucha contribute to its unique flavor and possible probiotic properties. Studies have linked probiotic consumption to reduced cholesterol levels, improved immunity, and weight loss.
While kombucha enthusiasts praise its detoxification abilities and digestive benefits, it is important to consider the potential risks involved with fermentation and alcohol concentration in kombucha, especially during pregnancy.
Potential risks of drinking kombucha while pregnant
Kombucha contains small amounts of alcohol
One concern is the alcohol content present in kombucha, which can vary depending on the fermentation process. Kombucha tea produces a small amount of alcohol during fermentation, but it’s often sold as “non-alcoholic” with only trace amounts of alcohol. This drink can actually contain up to 3% alcohol, but non-alcoholic kombucha still generally contains less alcohol than what’s found in a typical serving of alcohol.
Kombucha contains live cultures, and therefore bacteria
The live bacteria and yeasts in kombucha may also pose a risk for pregnant women with weakened immune systems. ‘Raw’ kombucha contains the live bacteria and cultures that are formed during the fermentation process, therefore it is unpasteurized. “Pasteurization” is a safety process that kills off potentially harmful bacteria by heating food to a certain temperature. Unpasteurized products can cause an infection harmful to pregnant women and their babies, as they could be contaminated with bacteria such as Listeria or E. coli, and studies show that there is a small chance that listeriosis can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or make your newborn baby very unwell.
Considering the potential risks involved, it is generally recommended to avoid drinking kombucha while pregnant. However, if you still crave the refreshing taste of a fermented beverage, there are safer alternatives available. Non-alcoholic and pasteurized versions of kombucha can be purchased from reputable brands that ensure the removal of harmful bacteria and pathogens.
Have a question about drinking kombucha while pregnant? Let us know in the comments!
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