Electronic Food Rap
Vol. 6 No. 3
Bill Evers, PhD, RD and April Mason, PhD
Extension Foods and Nutrition Specialists
It has not been in the news for a while, but here is some further feedback on one of the more dubious food/health crazes of 1995 - kombucha (aka mushroom) tea.
Excerpted from FOOD CHEMICAL NEWS, December 25, 1995, Page 28
Health Officials Keep Watchful Eye On Popular Health Drink
In December, 1995, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised doctors to report any negative health affects that might be linked with Kombucha or mushroom tea, which is consumed to prevent cancer, treat arthritis and insomnia, and stimulate hair growth.
This was prompted by two cases of unexplained lactic acidosis in April, 1995 in Iowa. One case ended in death. In both cases, the women had been drinking Kombucha tea daily for weeks. Further investigation led health officials to discover that the tea had become popular among the elderly.
A direct cause-and-effect connection was not made to consumption of the tea, but "reasons for the occurrence and severity of the lactic acidosis in both cases have not been determined," said the CDC report, "Unexplained Severe Illness Possibly Associated with Consumption of Kombucha Tea--Iowa, 1995."
While the fungus used to make the tea has not been shown to contain harmful orgainisms, contamination is possible since the tea is produced differently in individual homes. CDC warned that the effects of the tea are unknown for those with health problems or those who drink excess quantities.
CDC also suggested that the tea not be prepared or stored in containers made from ceramic or lead crystal due to the product's acidity.
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