Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented tea drink with limited clinical evidence for specific health outcomes.
Overview
What is kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented and effervescent drink. The cultures used to make kombucha are known as SCOBY or symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts.
Dosage
A typical dose of kombucha is 125 ml per day.
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SupplementDEX Database
3 conditions for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
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Database Snapshot
Most kombucha research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Gut health accounts for 2 of 4 studies (50%).
- Diabetes accounts for 1 of 4 studies (25%).
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) accounts for 1 of 4 studies (25%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Gut health, Diabetes, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Safety
Kombucha is possibly safe when commercially prepared. Home preparations may be possibly unsafe due to pathogenic contamination.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources3 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Diabetes
1 reference1.SupplementDEX Database: Diabetes — Kombucha tea as an anti-hyperglycemic agent in humans with diabetes - a randomized controlled pilot investigation2023
In 12 adults with type 2 diabetes, kombucha tea for 4 weeks lowered fasting blood glucose versus baseline with acceptable tolerability in a randomized crossover study.
SupplementDEX Database · Gut health
2 references2.SupplementDEX Database: Gut health — Effect of fiber-modified kombucha tea on gut microbiota in healthy population: A randomized controlled trial (RCT)2025
In 60 healthy adults, fiber-modified kombucha for several weeks shifted gut microbiota composition versus control, supporting prebiotic effects of the formulation.
3.SupplementDEX Database: Gut health — Evaluation of the Efficacy of Kombucha-Based Drink Enriched with Inulin and Vitamins for the Management of Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Females: A Randomized Pilot Study2023
In IBS-C patients, a kombucha-based drink with inulin and vitamins improved constipation symptoms and bowel habits versus control in an open-label evaluation.