· By Elspeth Sargeant
Can you drink Kombucha whilst Pregnant and Breastfeeding?
In this blog, we are going to explore whether you can drink Kombucha whilst pregnant or breastfeeding. Some people assume Kombucha is one of the many food and drink products that you can’t consume whilst pregnant or breastfeeding because of the bacteria and minimal alcohol levels.
We are going to delve into what is in Kombucha - the caffeine and alcohol contents - as well as why you actually can drink it whilst pregnant.
But first, we are going to get into the nitty-gritty for all of those Kombucha newbies and long-time lovers out there.
Origins and Commonly Asked Questions
Brewing Kombucha would be difficult without a SCOBY! So what is a SCOBY? SCOBY stands for "Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast”. It's the living base that is rich in bacteria. This turns the sweet tea into a tangy but refreshing drink called Kombucha.
Like the drink itself, the history of Kombucha is flavourful and rich. It traces its roots back to the Far East. One theory is that Kombucha first emerged in ancient China during the Tsin Dynasty, around 221 BCE. Curious about the story behind Kombucha? Learn more about its history here.
The health benefits of Kombucha are emerging daily due to the drink's huge rise in popularity. The biggest benefits that have emerged are promoting digestion and aiding the immune system. Keen to discover why this drink has earned its status of aiding a healthy lifestyle? Learn more about the remarkable benefits of Kombucha here.
One question that commonly crops up is “is Kombucha alcoholic?”. Yes, Kombucha does contain small amounts of alcohol due to its fermentation process. The positive news is that it's still classed as a non-alcoholic beverage. Commercially brewed Kombucha typically contains less than 0.5% ABV. If you're interested in the alcohol levels in Kombucha, learn more about it here.
If you’re a regular Kombucha drinker, the good news is that you can drink Kombucha every day. But, we always suggest that you consult with your doctor first. You can read more about the benefits of drinking Kombucha every day here.
Check out this video:
Can you drink Kombucha whilst pregnant?
From our YouTube channel - The Gut Health Channel
What about the caffeine content?
Since Kombucha is brewed from tea, it does contain caffeine. However, this is generally a very small amount. This is because the caffeine is metabolised during the fermentation process. Generally, the caffeine levels in Kombucha are between 10-20% of those found in your morning cup of tea. If you would like to explore the caffeine content of Kombucha more you can delve into our blog here.
What about the alcohol content?
Kombucha does have alcohol in it, which is a natural result of the fermentation process. However, the alcohol produced during the Kombucha fermentation is very small. This is known as trace alcohol. In commercial Kombucha the alcohol content has to be below 0.05% ABV. If you are a keen Kombucha brewer, your homebrew can contain more alcohol (especially if the brew is kept at a warm temperature). This is because it is not produced in a controlled environment, which can increase the ABV percentage to between 1-1.5%. If you are drinking your own Kombucha you may want to be careful, but commercially-brewed Kombucha is completely fine.
Can I consume RAW and Unpasturised Kombucha due to the bacteria contents?
If you are making Kombucha at home it will be RAW and Unpasturised. Some commercially-produced Kombucha is also RAW and Unpasturised, but this is usually stated on the can or bottle. However, most commercially produced Kombucha is pasteurised. All Kombucha contains bacteria. Some brands prefer to use one strain, whereas others will use multiple strains.
So can you drink Kombucha whilst pregnant and breastfeeding due to the bacteria content? The short answer is yes. Kombucha is very acidic due to the age-old method of preserving food. This acidic nature makes it difficult for any nasty bacteria to survive, so what we’re left with is the healthy, happy bacteria that we know and love. However, if you are making Kombucha at home be sure to take extra precautions when sanitising and sterilising your equipment to keep the nasty bacteria away.
Kombucha can be used in conjunction with many other fermented foods to sustain a healthy and rounded diet whilst pregnant and breastfeeding. It allows you to keep your gut health in tip-top shape which is essential at any time in your life but especially when you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Let's round this up
In this blog, we have summarised everything you need to know about drinking Kombucha whilst pregnant or breastfeeding. We have scratched the surface of the caffeine and alcohol contents in Kombucha, as well as looking into the bacteria that Kombucha homes and how this can improve your health during pregnancy. Make sure to check out our blog on how to make your own Kombucha at home or try out your friendly UK Kombucha brewer's batches of Booch’.
