Jun 27, 2016 | By Dannie Marden

Kombucha: New Near Beer?

Addiction Resources Alcoholism

Kombucha- The New Near Beer-

We’ve all heard the horror stories when it comes to addicts and alcoholics drinking or using certain things that mimic their old drug of choice. Whether it be herbal compounds or a cold St. Pauly Girl, it seems like there’s always something that lives in the proverbial gray area, if you know what I mean. The dangers surrounding the use of many kinds of “nears” depend greatly on the intention and the amount in which the user ingests. While some may not feel the effects as intensely as others, in the past we have found that the use of “nears” have led countless others off the wagon and down the trail.

Buchi Bars and The Hype

Kombucha has been around for centuries. The fermented tea drink is home to Asia and has been regarded by those who drink it as a godsend. Sold in grocery stores and bars alike, the newfangled obsession with alternative medicine in the United States has sent health foodies and fashionistas raving over the elixir of the Gods. In place of prescription medications or doctors, western medicine has turned from a trend to a way of life, with drinking kombucha at the top of the list for its health benefits.

Kombucha comes in a myriad of flavors and recipes. The contents of the tea are usually black or green tea and are then mixed with live cultures of bacteria (not the gross kind, think yogurt) kombucha yeast, sugar, and other ingredients to give it different flavors. Depending on the ingredients, most flavors and brands of Kombucha are highly acidic and filled with vitamins and antioxidants—one of the selling points for those in the health food world.

While many of you are still stuck on bacteria, we’ll explain. The bacteria is like that you would find in yogurt, giving kombucha its probiotic properties. Live bacteria and probiotics offered in the zesty beverage have been known to aid those suffering from migraines, PMS, digestive issues, PH balance, memory loss and even high blood pressure. The yeast and live cultures are fermented, which in turn gives the drink trace amounts of alcohol.   That’s right—it does, in fact, contain alcohol.

So That’s a No, right?

While there is a limited amount of alcohol contained in all brands of kombucha, the amount is less than 0.5%, in brands sold in stores such as Whole Foods. Parents around the nation have turned to replacing soft drinks with kombucha due to the wealth of health benefits that the drink is said to have. Many health food stores have multiple brands of kombucha in stock as the demand for the hoppy beverage has grown.

Across the country, some brands of kombucha, such as Buchi, are sold in kegs.  The kegs are then sold to bars which can offer cold kombucha on tap.  While it is still considered non-alcoholic, the act perpetuates the same drinking culture many alcoholics took part in previous to becoming sober.

Under a Microscope

As with most drinks, there are ways to alter ingredients and the amounts called for in most recipes. Some have taken to homebrewing to make the drink themselves and cut costs. For health food stores to consider it nonalcoholic, government regulations state that its contents must remain consistent and under the 0.5%. The dangers presented are what you would find with any experiement—sometimes there is too much of one thing, and that could mean more alcohol than .5%. Some batches have even reached the alcohol content found in regular store bought beers and can exceed that number quickly.

For Those In Recovery:

In the recovery world, many view kombucha as a relapse. After drinking kombucha sold in stores as nonalcoholic, little-to-no effects are felt that would mimic regular drinking.  If you are drinking  homebrewed kombucha, please be aware that alcohol content may be higher, which could lead to relapse.

That being said, the objective view toward the use of kombucha in recovery is the users intent. While the medical uses of kombucha are still under intense scrutiny, there is evidence from the NIH that states there are in fact health benefits from drinking it.  If you feel you are drinking it to mimic the taste of regular beer, or feel as if you are possibly drinking it to produce an effect similar to that of alcohol, it may lead down a slippery slope! As with anything, moderation is key. As addicts and alcoholics in recovery, our motives are important, and if you find that you cannot moderate your drinking of the beverage and are drinking for effects produced physically, please be wary.

2 responses to “Kombucha: New Near Beer?

  • I value & see kombuchas healthy effects. I stopped drinking it 1 a day after my job as a stone mason after reading up on it. Its been almost 8 years for me. It wasn’t for any other reason than health. In the beginning of my recovery. I bought what I thought was a soda at a bodega it wasnt. I spit it out & chewed out the owner. I talked with whole foods management after reading up on kombucha as well.

  • I don’t drink anything with any alcohol in it or use any products such as mouthwashes and so on that contain alcohol this is a mind disease whay would mess with it at all my advice leave it all alone 2 years 6 months it works for me God Bless

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