Pregnancy SmartShop formulas

Is it safe? · Pregnancy Smart

Is kombucha safe during pregnancy?

Assigned clinical reviewerMichael Yuzefovich· MD, FACOGDraft · pending clinical reviewUpdated

What does the evidence say about kombucha during pregnancy?

  1. There's no known safe amount of alcohol at any point in pregnancy. 1
  2. No amount of alcohol has been proven safe in pregnancy, and exposure can lead to a range of birth defects and developmental effects. 2
  3. Kombucha tea has been linked to cases of severe illness, which is part of why unregulated fermented drinks call for extra caution during pregnancy. 3
  4. Unpasteurized beverages, which include most raw traditional kombucha, are on the list of drinks to avoid in pregnancy. 4

Is kombucha safe in each trimester?

  • First trimester. The guidance is the same in every trimester, but alcohol exposure carries the highest risk for fetal alcohol effects early on.
  • Second trimester. Same guidance. Raw kombucha keeps fermenting in the fridge, so its alcohol content can end up higher than what's on the label.
  • Third trimester. Same guidance. A Listeria infection late in pregnancy can trigger preterm labor and other serious complications.

Frequently asked questions

What about pasteurized or 'zero-alcohol' kombucha?

Some brands sell pasteurized versions labeled under 0.5% alcohol. Even that small amount adds to a total that no health authority calls safe in pregnancy, so most providers still suggest pausing kombucha for now.

Are the probiotics in kombucha helpful in pregnancy?

You can get pregnancy-friendly probiotics from pasteurized yogurt and kefir, or from a supplement your provider recommends. Kombucha's small probiotic benefit isn't worth the alcohol and Listeria trade-off.

I drank a bottle of kombucha before I realized I was pregnant. What now?

One small bottle of low-alcohol kombucha isn't usually linked to any specific effect on your baby. Just mention it at your next visit. Providers rarely change routine care because of it.

Can I make my own low-alcohol version?

Home fermentation is hard to control, and the alcohol level can climb a lot depending on time and temperature. It's not recommended during pregnancy.

Related in the library

References

  1. Alcohol Use in Pregnancy: CDC

    CDC · https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol-pregnancy/about/index.html

  2. Alcohol and Pregnancy: MotherToBaby Fact Sheet

    MotherToBaby · https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/alcohol-pregnancy/

  3. Unexplained Severe Illness Possibly Associated with Consumption of Kombucha Tea: MMWR

    CDC · https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00039742.htm

  4. Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women: CDC Food Safety

    CDC · https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/pregnant-women.html

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.