Can you drink kombucha while breastfeeding?
Well done mum – you’ve done it! Bringing your child into the world deserves a celebratory booch, but what if you’re breastfeeding? Can you drink kombucha while breastfeeding? So as you know, we’re master brewers not doctors, so while we can’t give you a definitive answer, we can equip you with the facts you need […]
Well done mum – you’ve done it! Bringing your child into the world deserves a celebratory booch, but what if you’re breastfeeding? Can you drink kombucha while breastfeeding? So as you know, we’re master brewers not doctors, so while we can’t give you a definitive answer, we can equip you with the facts you need to decide whether to drink kombucha if you’re breastfeeding.
Raw and unpasteurised kombucha
Kombucha is a fizzy fermented tea with living bacterial cultures. The best kombucha on the market (ours included) is raw and therefore unpasteurised. What this means is that the naturally-occuring bacteria still remains within the booch. Generally, pregnant or breastfeeding women are advised to avoid unpasteurised foods such as juices or soft cheeses, however it is less straightforward when it comes to kombucha due to the acidic nature of it. High acidity helps to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the drink that may make you or your baby unwell, however it’s never risk free – so check with your GP or midwife if you’re unsure.
Kombucha and alcohol
While classified as a soft drink, it does contain a trace amount of alcohol which is created as a by-product from the fermentation process. Equinox Kombucha contains a tiny amount of alcohol (Equinox Kombucha contains on average 0.5% ABV and a drink is deemed ’non-alcoholic’ when under 1.2% ABV), so it’s really up to you as a mum whether you feel comfortable consuming it. There’s no right or wrong answer. You can find out more about the alcohol content of our kombucha here.
Caffeine content of kombucha
Official NHS guidelines advise breastfeeding mothers to ‘restrict their caffeine intake to less than 200mg a day’. Kombucha does contain a small amount of caffeine, but only 7.43mg per 275ml bottle, so it’s well within the recommended limit. 1 mug of instant coffee contains 100mg of caffeine and the same quantity of tea contains 75mg, so keep an eye on your intake if you usually drink tea and/or coffee alongside your Equinox Kombucha.
Read more about the caffeine in kombucha here.
The jury is out when it comes to kombucha and breastfeeding, but these are the golden rules to follow when choosing what’s best for you:
- Avoid home-brewed kombucha: it’s not regulated in any way so it’s impossible to gauge the alcohol or caffeine content and general hygiene standards
- Always read the label: some kombuchas may have a higher caffeine or alcohol content
- If you’re not still not sure after doing your research, speak to your GP or midwife for expert medical advice
Whether you choose to continue enjoying Equinox Kombucha while breastfeeding or decide to wait until you’re no longer feeding, we’ve got a booch ready and waiting!
