They are believed harmless, even beneficial for health. However, some fermented drinks, very popular on organic shelves, are raising questions today. Kombucha, in particular, would contain alcohol … without always reporting it clearly.
Kombucha: a fermented drink … and alcoholic
This sparkling beverage based on fermented black tea is not as trivial as it looks. Due to the fermentation process involving yeasts and bacteria, Kombucha naturally contains ethanol. A reality little known to the general public, and rarely indicated explicitly on the labels, alerts Dr. Arnaud Cocaul, nutritionist.
“”This sparkling drink, full of medical virtues, contains alcohol, and it is not specified“, He deplores.
The problem, according to him, does not reside so much in the presence of alcohol as in the absence of clear information on the packaging. “”The kombucha sold in supermarkets, except that of the Germline brand, does not display a pictogram warning pregnant women“He says.
An omission that can have heavy consequences for certain consumers. “”There are women who can legitimately think that they make a healthy gesture by consuming kombucha, thinking that it is natural. In reality, they consume throughout the pregnancy of ethanol, so give alcohol to their child“Insists the doctor.
Other audiences at risk
Beyond pregnant women, other populations should be wary of this fermented drink. Dr Cocoul warns in particular:
- Alcoholic weaning people: “These people should not consume these kinds of products”, he warns.
- Patients under drug treatment: “Kombucha can modify the kinetics, that is to say the absorption of the drug they take”, he explains.
In other words, a simple health gesture can interfere with treatment or compromise withdrawal.
Kéfir also pointed out for its marketing
Another popular drink for its digestive virtues: kefir. Developed from kefir grains immersed in milk or fruit juices, it appeals to consumers concerned with their microbiota. But then again, marketing discourse arouses the distrust of nutritionist.
“”Kéfir is very good for health, for the intestinal microbiota“, he concedes. But the doctor deplores the sometimes unjustified price differences.”When you take Kéfir at Naturalia, it is sold up to 7 euros per liter. While ribot milk, which has the same properties, costs 2 euros. We are really taken for turkeys“, He is indignant.
Increasing vigilance in the face of health products
If the success of Kombucha and Kéfir is explained by their real profits for the intestinal flora, their marketing is increasingly raising criticism among health professionals. Lack of transparency, abusive marketing, inflated price: alert signals not to be overlooked.
“”These products are very interesting, but that is not a reason to pluck us“Concludes Dr. Cocoul.