When tragedy strikes, as it has in Japan, people are forced to confront questions they never thought to ask before. In this case, there are serious questions about radiation, its effects on the body and how to protect oneself in both the short and long term, provoking an unnecessary run on iodine pills.
There is a growing chorus in favor of eating fermented and macrobiotic foods and drinking Kombucha to help protect against radiation. But is there any basis that the health benefits of Kombucha extend into this arena?
At least 3 studies from the last few years indicate that YES; Kombucha can help reduce the negative effects of radiation exposure in humans. Alrighty, let’s put on our thinking caps and delve into the anecdotes, legends and science behind this assertion.
Anecdotal Stuff
For decades, doctors and alternative health professionals have been recommending Kombucha to their patients. Though most cancer organizations do not endorse the use of Kombucha Tea as a specific treatment option, that misses the point of Kombucha’s benefits, specifically as a daily health tonic meant to prevent disease and assist the body’s natural processes.
German doctor Rudolph Sklenar famously claimed to use Kombucha to treat cancer (among many other diseases in early stages) with fantastic results. Today, alternative treatment courses sometimes involve adding Kombucha to the daily routine.
Relatedly, some people claim Kombucha alleviates or prevents chemotherapy sickness due to reduction in absorbed radiation. This assertion is the most relevant to the current question: Can Kombucha protect the body against harmful radiation?
25 years ago, Russian residents near the town of Chernobyl suffered through the worst nuclear accident in human history. The effects of the radiation released on the local population (and the entire world) has been debated ever since, with some early studies claiming only isolated health problems associated with the accident.
However, recent studies have more accurately captured the horrific, long-term effects on the health of plants and animalsboth in the region and all over the world with the dramatic release of radiation, linking nearly 1 million deaths worldwide to the explosion at Chernobyl. Surprised? Not exactly.
Legends of Kombucha
The Russians call it Tea Kvass.
Russia serves as backdrop for one of the most common Legends of Kombucha. (Note: I call these stories “Legends” not because I think they are false but because they come to us largely without proof, in a modern day sense.)
The Russians, concerned with an increase in cancer rates post WWII, launched a full scale investigation. While increased pollution from industrialization was determined the likely culprit, there were two regions that were discovered to be nearly cancer free.
Upon further study, it was determined that the people of these regions (the Solikamsk & Berezniki districts) had been drinking Tea Kvass (Kombucha) ever since the Czar had introduced it hundreds of years before.
Respected Kombucha author (and e-mail buddy) Günther Frank elaborates on another Russian legend:
It is well documented that there are pockets of people, who are centenarians, clustered not only in the mountainous Caucasia’s where they are most celebrated, but also in outer rural areas like Yakutia in Siberia, or the Poltaya District of the Ukraine, as well as Tibet and Spain…There is an area in Russia called Kargasok [ED: One of Kombucha’s many other names is “Kargasok Tea.”], where the people are a dairy and vegetable-eating populace who cherish family ideals and traditions.
They are a hearty outdoor folk who work hard as carpenters, bookkeepers, and farmers who usually live well over 100. These Elders are revered, as active and valued members of society and family…the Russian centenarians attribute their longevity not only to their work habits, but also to the Yeast Enzyme Tea which has been in their diet for hundreds of years.
Nobel-Prize winning Russian author Alexander Solzhenitsyn writes in his book “Cancer Ward” that Kombucha Tea cured his stomach cancer during his internment in Soviet labor camps. (Some claim he meant Chaga, however Günther Frank’s book states that Solzhenitsyn confirmed it was Kombucha in interviews after he defected to the U.S. in 1974.)
It is rumored that upon hearing of this remedy, President Ronald Regan began drinking Kombucha Tea and was cured of his own cancer.
Recent Scientific Studies
Again, just because the above legends have no scientific evidence to back them up does not mean I believe them to be false. On the contrary, I find collective wisdom to be just as important as scientific evidence. When both science and tradition point to the same answer, I am most satisfied.
Have you heard the rumor that there have never been studies about Kombucha done on people? Well, that’s incorrect. Two of the three studies quoted here used humans as subjects.
( To Be Continued )
Sources: pxds.com, kombuchacamp.com
La kombucha (conocida también como hongo manchuriano, hongo de té u hongo chino) es una bebida fermentada de ligero sabor ácido obtenida a base de té endulzado fermentado mediante una colonia de microorganismos gelatinosa con nombre científico Medusomyces gisevi (consistente principalmente en cepas de Bacterium xylinum, Gluconobácter oxydans y hongos semejantes a levaduras,1 de género Ascomicetos, como Saccharomycodes ludwigii, Saccharomyces cerevísiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Pichia fermentans y Zygosaccharomyces bailii).Saludos amiga @tatjanastan, me gusta mucho tus post, tienen motivacion, con ello uno se pone a investigar y aprende nuevas cosas, no sabia las propiedades de este hongo, cada dia se aprende algo nuevo. Un abrazo.
Estos hongos y bacterias convierten el azúcar (sacarosa) en glucosa y fructosa y después en alcohol etílico (potable), gas carbónico (CO2) y ácido acético, todos viven en una simbiosis de mutuo beneficio, formando en la superficie del líquido un cuerpo de aspecto gelatinoso parecido a una medusa. Si el hongo recibe alimentación continuamente, este proceso no tiene fin, por eso la kombucha es llamada «el hongo de la inmortalidad».
El tipo de bacterias y hongos puede variar según el de té utilizado y el tiempo de preparación porque en el principio de la fermentación de solución de té y azúcar varios tipos de microorganismos pueden participar en el proceso, pero después de unos días quedan solo los que forman el cuerpo de Medusomyces y los demás mueren debido a la acidez y a las sustancias antibióticas que segrega la colonia para su protección contra bacterias y hongos de moho nocivos.
Gracias a su explicacion, aditional...
Hello, tatjanastan
as always, you are at the forefront with your posts that every day educate to lead a healthy life.
Kambucha is a detoxifier and its benefits are amazing helps fight cancer, very important because today they consume so many foods that pollute the body and do not release those toxins that then damage our health.
Today I learned that Kambucha is originally from Asia and they say The Drink of Eternity, another interesting thing is that it contains live probiotics, which strengthen the immune system, activates the intestines and helps to wipe the body, for me it would be interesting to consume it as a drink to replace the soda.
Thanks @tatjanastan for pushing me to know a little more
You are welcomed...
For healthy eating, it is absolutely necessary for everyone to eat iodine-free food
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Good health related post it really guide steemian the better health package you have given in your post radiation are so dangerous for your body and you point this its so kind work for humanity you did before i really wasnt know about it that some kind a food help you to protect from radiation swear yoi have posted a great great great post as a health manner thanks for telling to avoid iodine to protect from radiation superb great post thanks
??? 😔 Don't understand anything...
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