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Is Kombucha Addictive?

Is Kombucha Addictive?
 

Kombucha is a fermented tea drink with a culture of yeast and bacteria. There are many healing qualities connected to the drink. Kombucha has been around for nearly 2,000 years and was first brewed in China. It grew in popularity in Europe and eventually in America. The drink is full of yeast, sugar, and black tea. During the fermentation process, a small amount of alcohol forms. Since kombucha does have alcohol, even if it is a limited amount, does kombucha show up on drug tests? You would have to drink a large quantity, but there are individuals who find themselves addicted to the drink, which causes adverse side effects.

What Are the Benefits of Drinking Kombucha?

To say that kombucha is alcohol seems very direct since it is mostly made of fermented tea. Yet, kombucha's fizzy and delicious taste hooks many people to drink it more often than is good for their gut. Because of the fermentation process, the drink is composed of lactic acid bacteria, also known as probiotics. Probiotics are the good bacteria your gut needs, so it does not become inflamed and regulate digestion. 

 

Some health benefits that follow drinking kombucha include:

 

  • Boosted energy
  • Flushed out toxins
  • Reduced cancer risk
  • Promoted weight loss
  • Lowered blood pressure
  • Contains B vitamins and antioxidants, which the body needs

 

Although there are many benefits to drinking kombucha, there are also possible health risks. Before answering, “Does kombucha show up on drug tests?” here are some negative side effects to keep in mind.

 

If a person drinks kombucha excessively, then the side effects may include:

 

  • Nausea
  • Tooth erosion
  • Liver problems
  • High caffeine consumption
  • Bloating and digestive issues
  • Weight gain from high sugar and calorie intake

 

A person should drink kombucha only a couple of times per week, or one every other day. Too much sugar and caffeine are not good for brain development or the body's organs. Remember, everything in moderation.

Does Kombucha Show Up on Drug Tests?

As mentioned, the alcohol percentage of kombucha is meager at under .5 percent alcohol volume. However, kombucha does show up in an ETG test. ETG stands for ethyl glucuronide, produced after processing alcohol in the liver. Although there is a tiny amount, it is traceable. Therefore, if a person were to breathe into a breathalyzer soon after drinking kombucha on a fresh palette, then the chance for a false-positive result is elevated. 

Can You Get Drunk off Kombucha?

Since the alcohol content in kombucha is dramatically low, the technical answer is no. Unless an individual is to drink bottle after bottle continuously, you most likely will not get tipsy or drunk. However, with persistence, dedication, and low tolerance to alcohol, one can feel the effects that one beer could have after drinking around eight kombucha drinks.  

Addiction Help at Our Southern California Rehab

At Banyan Palm Springs, we offer successful alcohol addiction treatment along with other substance treatments that are prone to addiction. We provide patients with a 12-step treatment program as well as other unique therapeutic methods to help during the recovery process.

 

Our experienced medical staff is fully prepared to supervise and work you through our medically monitored detox that begins the recovery process. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, then don’t wait to seek professional help and recover.

 

Please contact Banyan Treatment Center Palm Springs at 888-280-4763 and ask about our residential treatment program to get started today!

 

Related Readings:

Why Do I Get A Headache When I Drink Alcohol?

How to Stop Enabling An Addict

Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.