“Kombucha” Drink… Is it the New Yogurt?

This year's hottest cool “health” beverage is a fizzy, fermented drink with a tangy taste and a strange name. Kombucha is a mysterious concoction made of live bacteria and yeast and it's growing popularity taps into the probiotic and detox diet crazes, along with consumers' thirst for traditional remedies and Chinese medicine. Fans say it represents an intriguing marriage of antioxidant-rich tea, probiotics and prebiotics. Consumers claim a stunning array of health benefits; everything from increasing energy, improving digestion and immunity, to lowering cholesterol and fighting cancer. It’ll even grow hair! Many fans say Kombucha’s benefits are far better than yogurt.

Kombucha lovers call it a wonder tonic, while some nutrition experts warn that too much can be toxic for people with weak immune systems.  It does contain some beneficial antioxidants and polyphenols — although you could get the same with a simple tea bag. Is that worth the $3-$5 per 16 oz. bottle? Also, the drinks do contain sugar. Some reports have linked kombucha to liver damage, toxicity and metabolic acidosis. Other problems can include allergic reactions and nausea. The drink is fairly acidic with high levels of lactic acid and other acids, so experts advise moderation. Kombucha is an aquired taste and yogurt is very tasty…so “being better” than yogurt may be a stretch.