Does Kombucha tea contain alcohol?

Kombucha tea is a sweet and sour drink. This tea is increasingly popular in the medical community and has been used for thousands of years and promoted as an elixir. Many studies have linked kombucha tea to a variety of potential health benefits, including improved digestion, lower “bad” LDL cholesterol, and better blood sugar management. However, some people are concerned about the alcohol content of this Kombucha tea.

Kombucha tea is a fermented beverage believed to have originated in China. Tea is produced by adding certain strains of bacteria, yeast, and sugar to black or green tea. The mixture is left to ferment for several weeks at room temperature. During fermentation, bacteria and yeast form a fungus-like film on the surface of the tea, which is the medium for SCOBY bacteria and yeast. The fermentation process that gives kombucha tea its unique properties is due to the addition of carbon dioxide, alcohol, acetic acid and other acidic compounds, as well as probiotic bacteria.

Fermentation breaks down the sugar in the tea into alcohol and carbon dioxide. So kombucha tea contains a small amount of alcohol. Commercial kombucha teas are labeled as non-alcoholic because they contain less than 0.5% alcohol. This meets regulations set forth by the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Trade Bureau. However, homemade kombucha tea tends to have a significantly higher alcohol content. In fact, some have an alcohol content of 3% or more. However, pregnant or nursing women should avoid drinking kombucha tea, many types of tea can contain significantly high amounts of alcohol. Federal agencies advise users to avoid alcohol during pregnancy. What's more, kombucha tea is often unpasteurized and can increase the chances of miscarriage due to harmful bacteria.

Pasteurization is a process in which high heat is applied to a liquid or food. This process is designed to kill harmful bacteria thereby greatly reducing the risk of tuberculosis, diphtheria, listeriosis and many other diseases. Some types of kombucha tea - especially hand-brewed teas - are not pasteurized and may contain harmful bacteria. People with weak immune systems, the elderly, children and pregnant women should avoid this tea. In addition, Kombucha Tea is made by fermenting green or black tea, which naturally contains caffeine. Despite caffeine's health benefits, some people choose to avoid caffeine because of side effects such as restlessness, anxiety, poor sleep, and headaches.
Also, fermented foods and drinks, such as kombucha, can be high in tyramine, a naturally occurring amino acid. Several studies have linked tyramine intake to headaches and migraines in some users.

Although kombucha tea has its own set of caveats, it also has health benefits such as:
Contains many beneficial bacteria: Kombucha tea is an excellent source of probiotics, which help improve digestive health, reduce weight and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety Managing blood sugar: Animal studies demonstrate that kombucha can lower blood sugar Lowers heart disease risk factors: Animal studies shows that kombucha tea can lower bad LDL cholesterol and increase good HDL cholesterol. In addition, may protect LDL cholesterol against oxidation

May reduce the risk of certain cancers: Test-tube studies indicate that antioxidants found in kombucha tea may prevent the growth and spread of various types of cancer. May support liver health: In an animal study, kombucha tea was more effective than black tea at protecting the liver against harmful substances, as well as treating liver disease.

Reference article Healthline.com