How much kombucha should I drink? (2024)

By Sarah Bond44 Updated Sep 14, 2023

So you’ve fallen in love with kombucha and now you’re wondering, how much kombucha should you drink a day? How much is too much? Is there a limit? We’re answering everything you need to know about your kombucha daily dose!

How much kombucha should I drink? (1)

Whether you’re brewing your own kombucha or drinking bottles of store bought, if you’re reading this you probably love kombucha.

So much so that you’ve come to wonder if there’s a limit to how much kombucha you should be drinking a day.

And it’s a great question! Kombucha is a living fermentation made by inoculating bacteria and yeast in sweet tea to create a fizzy, fermented beverage. All that to say, kombucha can have side effects that you should be aware of when deciding how much kombucha you should be drinking per day.

Claire asks:

“Am I supposed to wait till after the second fermentation to get more Benefits, or can I drink it after the first?”

Read my reply below ↓

How much kombucha should I drink? (2)

SO how much should you be drinking?

There is no scientific consensus on how much kombucha you should drink per day. A 1995 Center for Disease Control report mentioned recommendation of 4 oz kombucha up to 3 times per day, though no current recommendations have been made.

Based on years of consuming kombucha and being in the home brewing community, we recommend not drinking more than 16 oz of kombucha per day – about the amount you would find in a bottle of store bought kombucha.

But here’s the thing – the amount of kombucha you drink per day should depend on you.

Are you used to probiotics? Kombucha is packed with probiotics, which can cause GI distress until you get used to it. If you’re not used to drinking kombucha, we recommend that you start at 2 oz per day, then increase 1 oz per day.

How much sugar do you consume? While kombucha contains relatively low amounts of sugar (roughly the same amount as fruit juice), you may choose to drink less if you usually don’t consume much sugar.

How much kombucha should I drink? (3)

Are you sensitive to caffeine? There are about 10 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces of kombucha, which can cause jitters, nausea, nervousness, and digestive distress for those who aren’t used to it.

Are you sensitive to alcohol? Homemade kombucha generally contains 0.5% to 3% ABV. Keep this in mind if you’re sensitive or allergic to alcohol.

Are you pregnant or breastfeeding? Kombucha is unpasteurized, so we don’t recommend women who are pregnant or breastfeeding consume kombucha.

How much kombucha should I drink? (2024)

FAQs

How much kombucha should I drink? ›

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also recommends that kombucha be consumed in moderation, and one to three 4-oz cups per day is safe to consume. That means you shouldn't generally consume more than 12 ounces of kombucha a day.

How much kombucha should I drink daily? ›

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that drinking approximately 4 ounces (oz) of kombucha per day “may not cause adverse effects in healthy persons.”

What is the best way to drink kombucha for good results? ›

Take it on an empty stomach . That's when you'll take full advantage of its probiotic and detoxifying properties. Recover with a glass of kombucha after training.

What is the best time to drink kombucha? ›

Drinking kombucha on an empty stomach can also enhance its antioxidant effects. This is because the fermentation process creates natural antioxidants, and drinking kombucha on an empty stomach allows these antioxidants to be more easily absorbed by the body.

How much kombucha should I drink to detox? ›

So how is a kombucha cleanse done? Well there are a lot of different ways to do it, but the main idea is to be consistently drinking kombucha for a week or two. I would recommend drinking one bottle (12-16oz) of kombucha , half in the morning and the other half in the evening, every day for 2 weeks.

Does kombucha actually help your gut? ›

The fermentation process, which has been around for thousands of years, helps preserve foods and make them last longer. Kombucha and other fermented foods are full of antioxidants and probiotics, or live bacteria, that boost the health of intestinal cells, improve immune function and aid in food digestion.

Does kombucha help with belly fat? ›

Does kombucha help you lose belly fat? While kombucha can be a part of a healthy weight-loss journey, there's no magic solution for losing belly fat. Kombucha may support overall weight management by supporting digestion and gut health, but it's not a stand-alone solution for targeting belly fat.

What happens to your body when you start drinking kombucha? ›

Kombucha is an ancient fermented tea that may have many health benefits, such as improving digestion, boosting the immune system, lowering cholesterol levels, and supporting cardiovascular health. Today kombucha is widely available in stores, and kombucha starter kits can be purchased to make at home.

How long does kombucha take to start working? ›

To brew kombucha, you have to go through two phases: 1st fermentation and 2nd fermentation. F1 typically takes around 7-12 days, though some people like to go longer. During that time, the sweet tea ferments and is transformed into kombucha by the starter tea and a kombucha culture (a SCOBY).

Does kombucha clean your bowels? ›

Some studies suggest that it may offer benefits similar to other probiotic foods like yogurt. These probiotic benefits include promoting a healthy immune system and relieving stomach and intestinal issues like diarrhea and constipation.

Do I need to take a probiotic if I drink kombucha? ›

Whether you like drinking Kombucha, eating fermented vegetables or taking supplements, it's important to have probiotics and maintain a healthy gut.

How long after drinking kombucha can I eat? ›

The probiotics in kombucha can help aid in food digestion and improve nutrient absorption. Drinking kombucha before a meal may also help reduce appetite, which can be helpful for weight management. Pro Tip: Drink kombucha 30-45 minutes before or after the meal for the best results.

Is store-bought kombucha good for you? ›

While store-bought kombucha can be a tasty and healthy beverage option, there are a few potential downsides to consider: Added sugars: Many store-bought kombucha brands contain added sugars to enhance the flavor of the drink.

Is 4 oz of kombucha a day enough? ›

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that four ounces of kombucha can be safely consumed one to three times a day. Overconsumption can lead to headache, nausea, gastrointestinal distress, or ketoacidosis.

Do I drink the whole bottle of kombucha? ›

There is no standard “wrong” amount of kombucha you can drink - but there may be a wrong amount for YOU - so tune into that gut! A good rule of thumb is to drink that amount of kombucha that makes YOU feel good! If you're new to kombucha, start small.

Is 12 oz of kombucha a day too much? ›

In the end, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to how much kombucha you should be drinking. However, drinking around 4–12 ounces of kombucha per day is a safe amount for most people. Like many fermented foods, it really depends on your body and what you personally need.

How long does kombucha last after opening? ›

As soon as the bottle has been opened, the kombucha interacts with air, and so it is recommended that kombucha is consumed within one week of opening. Similar to how you would treat a bottle of soda. The beverage won't go bad if you store it correctly beyond one week, but it will lose some of its effervescence.

Does kombucha help with bloating? ›

Kombucha contains live bacteria and organic acids, which if consumed on a regular basis may help to aid digestive issues such as excess gas and bloating. Ginger is also known to act as a natural digestive aid and an anti-inflammatory, so opt for our Ginger Kombucha flavour for extra gut-boosting power.

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