High triglyceride levels in the body can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, heart failure, and acute inflammation in the pancreas. Making healthy lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, losing weight, limiting alcohol consumption, and eating a healthy diet high in fiber and healthy fats can help lower triglyceride levels. However, researchers from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have found that drinking kombucha tea may also help reduce fat accumulation and lower triglyceride levels via a worm model. The study, published in the journal PLOS Genetics, aimed to discover new ways to reduce fat accumulation and improve lipid homeostasis in order to combat modern diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
Kombucha tea, an ancient beverage with roots in Eastern traditional medicine, has gained popularity as a potential health-promoting drink. It is a fermented beverage made from black tea and a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY), making it a probiotic beverage. Previous animal and small-scale human studies suggest that kombucha may be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases, including diabetes, liver disease, and gut health. Animal and pre-clinical research has also indicated that kombucha may help with aspects of cardiovascular health such as lowering cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, though some individuals may experience side effects such as quickened heartbeat or heartburn due to additional caffeine in the drink.
The research conducted by The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill focused on using a worm model to study the effects of probiotic microbes from kombucha tea on fat accumulation and triglyceride levels. The study found that after ingesting kombucha tea, microbes from the tea colonized the worms’ intestines, leading to metabolic changes similar to those seen during fasting. Animals consuming a diet including probiotic microbes found in kombucha tea experienced a reduction in fat accumulation and lower triglyceride levels. These findings support the anecdotal evidence of human health benefits associated with kombucha tea, such as protection against metabolic diseases and improved liver function.
The study’s lead author, Rob Dowen, emphasized the importance of investigating functional foods that may improve lipid homeostasis during metabolic diseases, as these conditions are major contributors to early death. For example, metabolic syndromes like dysregulation of lipid homeostasis often lead to high plasma triglycerides, elevated blood pressure, and obesity. The study results are promising, suggesting that kombucha tea may offer health benefits by altering host metabolism through probiotic microbes. It is important to note that the study was conducted in a lab model, and further research in mammalian model systems is needed to understand how kombucha consumption impacts human physiology.
Experts like Cheng-Han Chen, MD, and Monique Richard, a registered dietitian nutritionist, see this study as interesting and hypothesis-generating, potentially paving the way for future research on the benefits of kombucha tea for cardiovascular health. However, caution is advised when consuming kombucha, taking into consideration factors such as sugar content, caffeine levels, and potential interactions with medications. Consulting with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian nutritionist is recommended before incorporating kombucha into a dietary regimen, in order to address underlying factors contributing to elevated fat accumulation or high triglyceride levels. Ultimately, more research is needed to understand the full implications of kombucha tea consumption on human health.
