康普茶对孩子们有好处吗?

它并不是真的由蘑菇制成的，但康普茶最初是由培养的细菌和酵母菌群制成的，类似于一种宽而平、有弹性的真菌。在红茶菌酿造领域，这个发酵剂菌落被称为“母菌落”。You add sugar and green or black tea to the mother, and about a week later the fermented result is a clear, amber, slightly effervescent liquid with a large number of organic acids -- the American Cancer Society lists ethyl acetate, acetic acid, and lactate -- as well as some B vitamins and alcohol. You can buy kombucha or make it at home. Several ready-made brands mix kombucha tea, which is said to have a flavor akin to vinegar, with fruit juices and other flavoring ingredients.

据说，一种醋味的茶在美国变得流行起来，甚至被报道为“味道古怪”，这个故事主要是基于茶的所谓的治愈作用，而不是它的味道。报告的健康益处有很多。纽约州自然疗法医师麦肯齐(Janet McKenzie)说，康普茶的一些积极作用包括改善记忆力、减少经前综合症、风湿病、衰老、厌食症、艾滋病、癌症和高血压的症状和体征，以及改善t细胞数量、免疫系统和新陈代谢。麦肯齐博士补充说，这些所谓的改善实际上可能要归功于用于发酵的茶叶，而不是“母亲”本身的特性。

麦肯齐博士说，证明康普茶有益健康的科学证据是有限的。迈克尔·沃尔德博士是综合医学与营养中心的营养服务主任，他也认为“对于康普茶的益处，目前还没有确凿的科学依据”，因此，他不会强烈建议任何年龄的患者使用康普茶。MayoClinic.com报道说，实际上康普茶的所有益处都是基于个人报告、实验室和动物研究，而不是“在主要医学杂志上报道的单一人体试验”。The American Cancer Society adds that while no human studies have been published to support any kombucha tea health claims, there have been unfortunate reports of adverse reactions and even death linked to its use.

饮用康普茶导致的死亡被认为与乳酸酸中毒有关，乳酸酸中毒是指体液中酸水平的异常升高。康普茶不可靠的部分原因可能是，像其他一些营养药物一样，它在技术上被归类为营养补充剂。由于康普茶不被认为是一种食品或药物，因此美国农业部或美国食品和药物管理局都不会对其进行常规评估。纽约市儿科医生阿纳托利·贝里洛夫斯基博士表示，无论是成人还是儿童，康普茶都没有被很好地研究过，而且由于它是自制的，“它的成分很不稳定。”Dr. Belilovsky adds, "As with any organics, there have been reports of allergic reactions, as well as toxicity to the lungs, liver, and blood clotting factors." Nutrition expert Michael Dr. Wald, a proponent of the holistic use of combined therapies including foods, says "a few studies suggest this complex compound should not be taken by those who simultaneously take hormone replacement therapy." Another concern about kombucha, according to Dr. McKenzie, is its high potential for contamination with pathogenic micro-organisms such as aspergillus and anthrax. Also, since it is highly acidic and homemade, kombucha tea can become contaminated with inorganic substances like lead if made in non food-grade containers.

基本的安全问题，如高污染风险，是导致健康从业人员停止推荐康普茶，特别是儿童。例如，麦肯齐博士说:“因为污染的风险、它的酸性、它的咖啡因和酒精含量，我怀疑给孩子喝康普茶是否明智。”如果目标是免疫支持或补充维生素B，那么还有更安全的方法来实现它们。”Another integrative medicine specialist agrees: Joan Boccino, MS, L.Ac., says kombucha tea generally is not the best for children, especially those younger than 7. She explains, "A child's digestive system is immature and the acids, sugars, caffeine, alcohols and bacteria found in the various brews may be too much for the young gut to handle. Frequently, too, kombucha is brewed with honey, which should not be given to babies under the age of 1 year due to the botulism risk. "