

This can lead to problems with liver and kidney function, and become life-threatening, past research has suggested. ( 6) Swigging kombucha can cause an accumulation of this acid in the bloodstream, causing the body’s pH to become too acidic. Lactic acid is an organic acid produced in the muscles. Though the occasional kombucha drinker needn’t worry about this side effect, those drinking multiple bottles of kombucha every day may be at risk for a condition called lactic acidosis. The philosophy that too much of a good thing can be bad applies to kombucha. Excess Kombucha May Contribute to Lactic Acidosis But while an effective treatment, repeated exposure to caffeine can have the opposite effect, triggering chronic daily headaches, past research has noted. (1) The exact cause of a headache is unknown, but kombucha does contain caffeine and alcohol, which alone or together might induce headaches in those who are sensitive.Ĭaffeine is sometimes used as a headache reliever. Headaches are another possible adverse side effect of drinking too much kombucha. Overdoing It With Your Kombucha Habit May Lead to Headaches Seriously Bloated: Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore 2. (1)įor that matter, drinking a large amount of kombucha may cause nausea and diarrhea. Drinking Too Much Kombucha May Upset Your StomachĮven though kombucha might promote gut health and improve conditions like constipation and hemorrhoids, too much of any good thing can be bad, according to one review. Here’s a look at seven reported side effects of too much kombucha: 1. (2)īut despite possible therapeutic benefits, kombucha isn’t right for everyone, and there’s the risk of adverse effects from drinking too much and improper preparation, notes the Mayo Clinic. Some people also believe that it can help detoxify the body, reduce blood sugar, and inhibit the growth of cancer cells, according to the Cleveland Clinic. There’s no short list of potential health benefits of kombucha. 7 Potential Health Dangers of Too Much Kombucha ( 2) Nonetheless, it’s possible to speculate on its benefits given what the drink is made of, says Alissia Zenhausern-Pfeiffer, MD, a licensed naturopathic medical doctor practicing in Scottsdale, Arizona. It’s important to note that there is not a wealth of human research on the potential health benefits of kombucha, as the Cleveland Clinic points out. Proposed benefits of kombucha include its potential to reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and increase metabolism, according to the aforementioned review. The fermented process of brewing kombucha makes it a potential source of probiotics, which are live organisms that help balance good and bad bacteria in the gut. That description of kombucha, which comes from a review published in December 2015 in the Journal of Chemistry, may sound strange, but the beverage is gaining popularity throughout the United States - and for good reason. Kombucha is a fermented drink made from green or black tea, sugar, bacteria, and yeast.
