Kombucha tea is made using black tea that has been sweetened and then fermented with a mix of yeasts and bacteria in the form of a culture that resembles a mushroom in its appearance. The American Cancer Society notes that the microorganisms used to create kombucha tea vary, and the risks are made more complicated by the lack of consistency in the components used in creating it.
Allergic Reactions
Kombucha tea may cause allergic reactions, according to Dr. Brent Bauer of MayoClinic.com. An allergic reaction occurs when your body mounts an immune response to defend itself against a normally harmless substance that it has mistakenly identified as a pathogen. Allergies can be life-threatening if they reach the level of anaphylactic shock. The varying types of molds and fungi that can grow in a kombucha culture pose an allergy risk to those who may be sensitive to them.
Contamination
The home brewing conditions in which kombucha tea is fermented are sometimes not sufficiently sterile enough to ensure that the beverage will be free from contaminating pathogens. According to MayoClinic.com, the Food and Drug Administration has warned that the risk of contamination is high for home brewers of kombucha tea.
Lead Poisoning
Because of its acidity, kombucha tea could absorb toxic substances that may be present in the brewing containers during the brewing process. The American Cancer Society warns that painted containers or those made of ceramic or lead crystal should not be used to brew kombucha tea, as at least two deaths have been attributed to lead poisoning caused by kombucha brewed in a ceramic container.
Ineffectiveness
One of the arguments against using kombucha tea as a remedy for any ailment is that relevant research confirming its effectiveness has not yet been conducted. As Dr. Brent Bauer of MayoClinic.com notes, kombucha tea's alleged benefits have been based on anecdotal evidence, along with animal and laboratory studies. No actual human trials focusing on the health benefits of kombucha tea have been published in any major medical journals.
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