Can Children Drink Kombucha? This is a Safe Guide for Parents

Illustration (Unsplash/Natalie Behn)

YOGYAKARTA - Kombucha is increasingly popular in Indonesia as a fermented drink that is considered healthy. This drink is often promoted as a source of antioxidants and probiotics that are good for the body. However, is kombucha safe for children to consume?

Parents need to be careful because kombucha contains sugar and alcohol from the fermentation process. Although the levels are usually small, the sugar and alcohol content in kombucha still needs to be considered if consumed by children. To understand further, let's get to know what kombucha is and whether this drink is safe for children.

What is Kombucha?

As reported by Healthline, kombucha is a fermented tea beverage that is usually made from black tea or green tea with added sugar. The fermentation process lasts about 7 to 10 days with the help of special microbes called SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). These microbes convert sugar into various compounds, including organic acids and a little alcohol.

This carbonated drink is believed to originate from China and has become popular in various countries because it is considered to have health benefits. Several studies have shown that kombucha contains antioxidants and has potential antimicrobial properties.

For kombucha products sold in stores, alcohol levels are usually kept below 0.5 percent to remain classified as non-alcoholic beverages. This rate is actually not much different from the alcohol content in some fermented foods. However, not all products always have the same level.

Several studies have found that there are kombucha products that have higher alcohol levels than the standard. This can happen especially in kombucha that is not pasteurized, because the yeast in the bottle is still continuing to ferment. Therefore, it is important to always check the product label before buying.

Can Children Drink Kombucha?

In general, children can actually drink kombucha, but there are some things to consider. Experts usually recommend kombucha only given to children aged 4 years and above. In addition, parents should choose packaged kombucha that has been pasteurized.

Pasteurization is important because this heating process stops the activity of microorganisms after fermentation is complete. That way, the alcohol content in the drink becomes more stable and does not continue to increase. This makes the product safer than homemade or unpasteurized kombucha.

Homemade kombucha can have much higher alcohol levels. In some cases, the level can even reach more than 3 percent, approaching light alcoholic beverages. Therefore, homemade kombucha is not recommended for children.

In addition to alcohol, parents also need to pay attention to the sugar content in kombucha. Some fruit-flavored kombucha products contain quite a high amount of added sugar. In fact, children are advised to limit the consumption of added sugar.

Health organizations recommend that added sugar does not exceed about 10 percent of a child's total daily calories. If you drink too much sugary drinks, the risk of health problems such as cavities and obesity can increase.

However, it should be noted that as long as you choose a low-sugar variant, kombucha has a lower sugar content than soda. Therefore, if chosen correctly, kombucha can be a substitute for soda for children.

However, the portion still needs to be limited. Children should be limited to consuming about 60 to 120 milliliters of kombucha. In addition, parents also need to pay attention to the sugar content of other foods and beverages throughout the day.

So it can be concluded that kombucha is safe for children aged 4 years and above. However, parents need to be careful by paying attention to the sugar and alcohol content listed on the packaging. With the right product selection and limited portions, kombucha can be a healthy drink for children.

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