Does consuming a mixed drink of lime, ginger, honey, and kombucha effectively cleanse blood vessels and potentially address various diseases? No, that's not true: according to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicines, this assertion originates from the belief that lime and kombucha can cleanse fat and cholesterol from blood vessels, which are factors contributing to high cholesterol, stroke, and numbness in fingertips. However, no evidence in scientific studies supports the claim that consuming such a concoction can effectively treat these symptoms and diseases.
The claim appeared in a video (archived here) published on TikTok by Kumviang Shop under the caption, translated from Thai into English by Lead Stories staff: "A remedy for breaking through blood vessels." The video included the following comment:
It works. I've already finished 4 bottles and my cholesterol reduced significantly.
This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Fri Mar 29 15:52:03 2024 UTC)
Kumviang Shop, which promotes Kumviang Natural Farming, operates a TikTok channel that sells kombucha. The channel shares videos detailing the drink recipe, comprising three fresh limes, 100 grams of fresh ginger, 100cc of honey, and 750cc of kombucha. The videos also assert various treatment benefits, such as lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol levels and aiding in stroke recovery.
The video attempts to persuade viewers that the featured drink recipe outperforms modern medications for individuals managing high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, or the posthumous of a stroke. It suggests that individuals relying on modern medications often find that they are not cured, but instead, they need to increase their doses over time.
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicines (archived here), established under the Ministry of Public Health in 2002, informed Lead Stories via telephone on March 25, 2024, that no research or scientific evidence supports the claim that this drink can cleanse blood vessels or alleviate symptoms.
A senior officer at the department stated:
When people mention cleaning blood vessels, they usually mean to rinse off the surplus cholesterols or LDL (low-density lipoprotein). So far, there is some research on guinea pigs about kombucha's benefits. The research showed that it could reduce LDL and sugar levels in guinea pigs. However, the results in guinea pigs might not be the same in humans, so we should not expect the same benefits from this research.
The senior officer stressed that individuals with high blood pressure or strokes should follow their doctor's guidance rather than discontinuing medications independently and transitioning to consuming this kombucha recipe.
The expert added that it is never advisable to stop cholesterol medication if you are susceptible to these conditions without consulting a medical professional.
