### Kombucha and Type 2 Diabetes: Promising Results from a New Study A recent pilot study from Georgetown University suggests that drinking kombucha, a fermented tea beverage, may help lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. The study involved 12 participants with an average age of 57, including both Black and White individuals, and nine of them were on insulin therapy. Over a 4-week period, these participants drank 8 ounces of ginger-flavored kombucha daily. Their blood sugar levels were compared to another 4-week period when they consumed a placebo drink that tasted similar. The results were promising: the participants' fasting blood glucose levels decreased from an average of 164 milligrams per deciliter to 116 milligrams per deciliter after drinking kombucha. For context, the American Diabetes Association recommends blood sugar levels before meals to be between 70 and 130 milligrams per deciliter. Kombucha is made from tea fermented with bacteria and yeasts, and its history dates back to 200 B.C. in China. It has gained popularity in recent years and is now widely available in major grocery stores. The kombucha used in this study was produced by Craft Kombucha, a Washington, DC-based company now rebranded as Brindle Boxer Kombucha. Researchers believe that the major bacteria and yeasts in kombucha are likely similar across different brands and batches. While previous laboratory and rodent studies have shown promise, and one small study in people without diabetes indicated that kombucha could lower blood sugar, this is the first clinical trial examining its effects on people with diabetes. According to researcher Dan Merenstein, MD, a Georgetown professor of human science and family medicine, more research is needed, but the initial results are very promising. Importantly, participants were not asked to change their diets during the study, which strengthens the findings. However, it's crucial to note that this was a small study, and larger, more comprehensive studies are needed to confirm these results. According to the CDC, more than 33 million people in the U.S. have type 2 diabetes. If not managed properly, the condition can lead to serious health issues such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease. This study offers a glimmer of hope that kombucha could be a beneficial addition to diabetes management strategies.