Disclaimer: These Statements Regarding Kombucha & Radiation Have Not Been Evaluated By The FDA. Kombucha Tea Is Not Intended Diagnose, Treat, Cure Or Prevent Any Disease. Full Disclaimer Here.
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When tragedy struck the Fukushima Nuclear Plant in Japan in 2011, people were suddenly forced to confront questions they never thought to ask before. Topics such as daily radiation exposure, its effects on the body, and how to protect oneself in both the short and long term became popular.
Social media declared: everyone needed iodine pills. And nobody was ever eating Pacific Ocean fish again!
The hysteria passed, as it always does. But questions of radiation exposure are not limited to Chernobyl-style disasters.
Everyday concerns such as EMFs, WiFi, 5G and more have health professionals on alert. And exposure is cumulative, so finding a way to reduce the effects or even detox them from the body is critical.
There is a growing chorus in favor of eating fermented and macrobiotic foods and drinking Kombucha to help protect against radiation. But is there any basis that the health benefits of Kombucha extend into this arena?
Yes! At least 7 studies since 2008 seem to indicate that Kombucha may be able help reduce the negative effects of EMF and radiation exposure in humans. Let’s take a look at the science. But first for context, let’s explore some of the anecdotes and legends around this topic.
Anecdotal Stuff
For decades, doctors and alternative health professionals have been recommending Kombucha to their patients. Though most cancer organizations do not endorse the use of Kombucha Tea as a specific treatment option, that misses the point of Kombucha’s benefits.
KT is not a medicine intended to treat any disease. It is simply a healthy tonic that can be consumed daily and helps the body with its natural processes.
German doctor Rudolph Sklenar famously claimed to use Kombucha to treat cancer (among many other diseases in early stages) with fantastic results. Today, alternative treatment courses sometimes involve adding Kombucha to the daily routine.
Relatedly, some people claim Kombucha alleviates or prevents chemotherapy sickness due to reduction in absorbed radiation. This assertion is the most relevant to the current question: Can Kombucha protect the body against harmful radiation?
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25 years ago, Russian residents near the town of Chernobyl suffered through the worst nuclear accident in human history. The effects of the radiation released on the local population (and the entire world) has been debated ever since, with some early studies claiming only isolated health problems associated with the accident.
However, recent studies have more accurately captured the horrific, long-term effects on the health of plants and animals both in the region and all over the world with the dramatic release of radiation, linking nearly 1 million deaths worldwide to the explosion at Chernobyl. Surprised? Not exactly. Radiation should be taken seriously as a health issue.
Legends Of Kombucha
The Russians call it Tea Kvass.
Russia serves as backdrop for one of the most common Legends of Kombucha. (Note: We call these stories “Legends” not because we think they are false but because they come to us largely without proof, in a modern day sense.)
The Russians, concerned with an increase in cancer rates post WWII, launched a full scale investigation. While increased pollution from industrialization was determined the likely culprit, there were two regions that were discovered to be nearly cancer free.
Upon further study, it was determined that the people of these regions (the Solikamsk & Berezniki districts) had been drinking Tea Kvass (Kombucha) ever since the Czar had introduced it hundreds of years before.
Another Russian legend tells the tale of many people who live well into their 100’s living in pockets among the Caucasus Mountains, Kargosok and rural areas of Siberia, Ukraine, Tibet, and even Spain. These people live active lives, work hard, and enjoy their “yeast enzyme tea,” a staple of their diets for hundreds of years.
Nobel-Prize winning Russian author Alexander Solzhenitsyn writes in his book “Cancer Ward” that Kombucha Tea cured his stomach cancer during his internment in Soviet labor camps. (Although some information points to the possibility he was referring to Chaga rather than Kombucha.)
It is rumored that upon hearing of this remedy, President Ronald Regan began drinking Kombucha Tea and was cured of his own cancer.
Although there is no scientific evidence to back up these legends, that does not mean they are false. Collective wisdom can be just as or even more important to a culture. When both science and tradition point to the same answer, we are most satisfied.
Kombucha & Radiation – Recent Scientific Studies
And now to the science. To be clear, none of these are FDA approved, double blind studies. Because Kombucha cannot be patented, research dollars are difficult to secure. These scientific publications are based on experiments undertaken by researchers located all over the world, those interested in and drawn to Kombucha as a subject.
The conclusions drawn from this research are simply theories at this point. Kombucha is just a food. But we can all agree that consuming the right healthy foods for your body’s needs is a path to better health. And if those foods can help ameliorate the effects of everyday radiation we are experiencing, all the better!
Have you heard the rumor that there have never been studies about Kombucha done on people? Well, that’s incorrect. Three of the studies quoted here used humans as subjects.
Study #1
The first known research around radiation and Kombucha appears to have been done in 2008, and was promising. It showed that rats with livers damaged by irradiation or exposure to harmful chemicals had improved function after consuming Kombucha.
Study #2
The following study (2009 – pdf) looked for chromosomal aberrations (CAs) caused by radiation as they are considered to be the main culprit behind many forms of Cancer. According to the science, Kombucha does provide a “radioprotective effect against ionizing radiation.” It’s important to note that increased dosages provided increased protection. Here is their conclusion:
“(T)he results of the present study clearly confirmed that g – radiation induces CAs formation in human lymphocyte cells. But, supplementation with KM – tea (Kombucha Mushroom Tea) can protects (sic) against g – radiation toxicity, by reduction effects of free radicals. Therefore, antioxidant role of KM–tea may be used as a ‘genotoxicity–limiting agent’ to reduce environmental effects of radioactive agents in the near future.”
Let’s translate that very important finding into plain English: Bad radiation causes your chromosomes to go haywire. Daily Kombucha consumption limits these effects.
Study #3
Detoxification is at the heart of Kombucha’s powerful benefits to the body. It has long been established that Kombucha Tea helps detoxify the liver & kidneys. However it has also been discovered that Kombucha can provide preemptive protection against environmental pollutants such as TCE (Trichloroethylene) for example, a common ground water contaminant. This 2009 study (pdf) demonstrated that Kombucha Tea “repair(s) damage caused by environmental pollutants such as TCE and may be beneficial to people who deal with these chemicals.”
Study #4
Gamma Radiation is the most invasive and harmful type.
Building further, this study (2011 – pdf) focused on rats that were exposed to Cadmium Chloride & Gamma Radiation (very bad). Kombucha Tea was administered to the rats before exposure.
When they were injected with the Cadmium Chloride or dosed with radiation (or both), rats consuming a steady diet of Kombucha Tea absorbed lower levels of toxins than those who were not. The report’s conclusion states:
“According to the results obtained in the present study, it appears that KT (Kombucha Tea) ferment administration to rats would decrease the toxicity associated with oxidative stress and thereby reducing the damage induced by exposure to cadmium and/or radiation.”
Study #5
Also in 2011, this study was designed specifically to determine whether the potential effects of cell phone radiation can be reduced via Kombucha consumption. From the conclusion:
“KT [Kombucha Tea] could proffer a measure protection against EMF exposure induced oxidative damage by possibly reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing the antioxidant defense mechanism in rats.”
Study #6
Reaffirming that conclusion in another study 2 years later (2013), new research showed that rats consuming Kombucha had healthier levels of copper and zinc, 2 metals affected by EMFs, than those in the control group.
Study #7
Finally, this 2015 study on human blood lymphocytes evaluated the “antioxidative potential and radioprotective ability” of Kombucha and found:
“The results clearly indicate that FBT [Fermented Black Tea aka Kombucha] has significant potential to protect cellular system from radiation-induced damage and ability to scavenge free radicals might be playing an important role in its radioprotective manifestations.”
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As always, Kombucha is a healthy addition to your routine and does not prevent or cure any disease. It can only help the body fight more efficiently, detoxify more completely and rebuild its defenses more regularly. The best defense against toxins will always be to never come in contact with them.
But in our daily life, avoiding all radiation is impossible. Choose healthful food and drink that assists the body’s natural healing processes, like Kombucha!
Have you received a specific health benefit that you attribute to drinking Kombucha?
Leave your story in the comments below!
Resources:
- Possible Protective Effect of Kombucha Tea Ferment on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Liver Damage in Irradiated Rats – Gharib, O.A Published 2008
- Protective effect of kombucha mushroom (KM) tea on chromosomal aberrations induced by gamma radiation in human peripheral lymphocytes in-vitro – Kultigin Cavusoglu Published 2009
- Does kombucha tea attenuate the hepato-nepherotoxicity induced by a certain environmental pollutant? – Gharib, O.A Published 2009
- Possible Protective Effect of Kombucha Tea Ferment on Cadmium Chloride Induced Liver and Kidney Damage in Irradiated Rats – Nashwa K Ibrahim Published 2011
- Role of Kombucha Tea in the Control of EMF 950 MHz Induced Injury in Rat Heart and Lung Organs – Gharib, O.A Published 2011
- Effect of kombucha on some trace element levels in different organs of electromagnetic field exposed rats – Gharib, O.A Published 2013
- Fermented black tea ameliorates gamma radiation induced cellular and DNA damage in human blood lymphocytes – Tanmoy Mondal Published 2015
G.R. Gaus
November 23, 2021 at 1:39 pmI began drinking Kumbacha tea in 1995, a friend introduced it to me as an antioxidant so I began the brewing process myself. My kids were starting to make fun of my bald spot starting to show on the back of my head, I was 45 then, today I’m 71 and still have all my hair although it’s thinning in the front but still plenty in the back, it seemed to just fill back in. I have also been extremely healthy and if I come in contact with a cold it’s just a glancing blow that only lasts for a day or so. I had read that Ronald Reagan had taken up to a quart a day while fighting his cancer and seemed to overcome his battle. Cancer was the main killer of my family members so I’m using the KT as my antidote, so far so good. Like adding lemon zinger tea with my batch then mixing it with Pomegranate or Mango juice before drinking, I’m a lifer now, 36 years strong…
Carly Smith
November 24, 2021 at 8:17 amA very impressive story! So glad to hear that Kombucha is benefitting you 🙂
Jessica Burns
May 28, 2021 at 5:08 amHey there, where did you find that cool picture of the tea kvass truck? Where and when was it taken?
Thanks for your time.
Hannah Crum
May 30, 2023 at 12:31 pmWikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvass
jackie mckinney
June 26, 2015 at 11:38 ami just started my first batch very excited ,i had act scan yesterday iam hoping this wiil help the radation of the scan
Kathy
April 9, 2015 at 11:41 amMy sister had a kidney infection that would not go away. She as on her fourth antibiotic when she was crying on the phone to her daughter because of the pain. Her daughter told her to go get kombucha, neither of us ever heard of it. After her second bottle and one hours time her pain was gone and the infection vanished. We have both been drinking kombucha ever since.
Hannah Crum
April 16, 2015 at 4:56 pmThanks for sharing your experience!
Brenda Hoffman
April 16, 2013 at 9:06 amThanks for the article, a lot of good information. I take issue with one point though. At the top you mentioned “provoking an unnecessary run on iodine pills,” linking to a website put out by “health officials.”
First, U.S. “health officials” have never proven themselves helpful in putting out the type of information people really need in order to get and stay healthy, to recover from chronic diseases. I’ve learned to be very wary of health advice from the U.S. mainstream healthcare system. More often than not, they misguide the public, ensuring high numbers of preventable death and disease in our population.
Second, there is an unnecessary scare about potassium iodide supplementation in this country, no doubt started by “health officials.” In reality, a large percentage of our population is suffering from iodine deficiency in the form of various diseases, especially thyroid.
I suggest people read Dr. David Brownstein’s book “Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It”. He and some colleagues have done clinical studies on thousands of patients, helping a large percentage of them overcome serious health problems through the use of large doses of potassium iodide, then having them continue on a maintenance dose which would be considered “dangerous” by “health officials.”
Potassium Iodide has shown to be effective at helping ADHD, Breast Cancer, Detoxification, Fatigue, Fibrocystic Breasts, Graves’ Disease, Hashimoto’s Disease, Hypothyroidism, and Immune System Improvement (according to Brownstein’s research).
I’m still new to Kombucha, but I love it and am experiencing detoxing effects from it so far. I bet everything you posted in the article about Kombucha and its purported benefits are true. I don’t think that means, however, that potassium iodide couldn’t be used as an additional source for building better/optimal health. Right now, it is helping my husband with his Grave’s Disease. I take it too and am overcoming my long-time chronic fatigue issues. I began brewing Kombucha as another great tool to help him recover and for us both to greatly improve our general health and well-being.
Alex Carreno via Facebook
November 14, 2012 at 12:54 pmRead this
Marie E. Cater via Facebook
November 14, 2012 at 12:30 pmvery good info working on my 1st batch now can’t wait till it ready to start enjoying all it benifits.
Debra Prince via Facebook
November 14, 2012 at 12:17 pmI stand with you, Booch Buddies! (referring to previous post.) keep up the good work!
Debra Prince via Facebook
November 14, 2012 at 12:17 pmI stand with you, Booch Buddies! (referring to previous post.) keep up the good work!
Cygnia Rapp via Facebook
November 14, 2012 at 12:11 pmThanks for posting this – does this mean that regular kombucha consumption also helps with reducing the effects of EMFs of power lines, cell phones, and electrical devices? Also, are there any studies on how it helps the body rid itself of pesticides from food consumption and drinking water? Thanks for the response
Hannah Crum
November 16, 2012 at 5:54 pmKombucha is a powerful detoxifyer. The gluconic acid it produces binds to heavy metals and chelates them out of the body. Our research page with links to Kombucha studies is coming soon! I’ll post the link here when its up.
Alex Carreno via Facebook
July 26, 2012 at 8:45 pmReading this reminds me that back when in the USA we heard and started wondering why these little villages had such long lifespans someone decided it must have been the yogurt . Too bad they didn’t keep researching. Kombucha could have been as common as yogurt in our supermarkets
Hannah Crum
July 30, 2012 at 6:51 pmStill can be! We are betting that KT IS the next yogurt =)
DPB
September 28, 2011 at 3:47 amStandard chemo with radiation actually intentionally induces formation of free radicals which has a selective effect on tumors and normal tissue. Does Kombucha intefere with this modality?
hannah
October 11, 2011 at 7:43 amI’m not a physician and cannot speak to this specific modality. Many who have gone through chemo have also drunk KT to help them through. Listen to your body and consult your physician to see if this is the right course of action for you.
Julio
April 7, 2015 at 10:41 amFree radicals have a very short life span (or better random reactivity) therefore anything that comes from the gut will not affect them. Anyway, science is starting to understand how free radicals and antioxidants do work In Vivo, after years of contradictory and frustating results In Vitro.
In short, drink your kombucha and eat as many of good quality antioxidantas as you can (brocoli, cabbage, cacao, good quality extra virgin olive oil, etcetera) and every ferment that comes close to you.
Sally Chung
September 19, 2011 at 9:20 pmI just finished five weeks of whole breast radiation. At week two, my breast was very sore, and the nipple was starting to crack. That’s when my first batch of Kombucha was “cooked”. After three or four days of regular drinking, all negative side effects — disappeared. Today, as I said, was my fifth week. I rode horseback for five hours yesterday – no pain at all. Simply amazing.
hannah
September 20, 2011 at 2:01 amThank you for sharing your story of healing, Sally! This is a testament to its tremendous power of KT’s ability to detoxify & the body.
maria
March 29, 2011 at 10:32 amInteresting! From what I understand though, kvass is a fermented drink made from bread and sugar, while kombucha is made from tea and sugar. The starters are also different, containing a different combination of yeasts and bact. I think though that it is the acetobacter which forms acetic acid that is the most well known for fighting disease.
Both drinks also taste quite different! Can’t say I like kvass but I love kombucha!
hannah
March 31, 2011 at 12:12 amHi Maria. Yes, there are 2 different types of kvass. Tea kvass and bread kvass, though these days you may also see beet kvass, carrot kvass, etc. Basically they are using a similar culture to ferment those foods to increase their health benefits.
I have to agree – I ♥ Kombucha too!