Kombucha tea in cancer care: A review of its anti-cancer potential and role in integrative oncology

Sarshar, Maryam; Azmayesh, Leyla; Khoshhal, Faeze; Kabudani, Samira; Beyrami, Meysam; Rajabian, Majid; Moradi-Binabaj, Maryam; Asgharzadeh, Fereshteh

doi:10.22038/ajp.2025.26369

Kombucha tea in cancer care: A review of its anti-cancer potential and role in integrative oncology

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

Maryam Sarshar ¹

Leyla Azmayesh ¹

Faeze Khoshhal ¹

Samira Kabudani ¹

Meysam Beyrami ²

Majid Rajabian ¹

Maryam Moradi-Binabaj ³

fereshteh asgharzadeh ⁴

¹ Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Payam Noor University of Iran, Tehran, Iran

² Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Varastegan Institute for Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

³ Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Science,Gonabad, Iran;

⁴ Applied Biomedical Research Center, Basic Sciences Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10.22038/ajp.2025.26369

Abstract

Objective: The burden of cancer prevalence and mortality poses challenges to global cancer care delivery, particularly impacting low- and middle-income countries in accessing evidence-based cancer prevention, treatment, and supportive care. Integrative oncology integrates traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine with standard cancer therapies to enhance healthcare delivery. This study aims to evaluate the anti-cancer properties of kombucha tea across multiple cancer types.
Materials and Methods: Various databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus, reviewed for recent research on kombucha tea's potential benefits and impact on cancer.
Results: Recent research developments highlight kombucha tea as a potential aid in enhancing cancer resistance and offering various health benefits.
Conclusion: Integrative oncology, complemented by the consumption of kombucha tea, presents a promising approach to addressing the complexities of cancer care. Further exploration and updates on kombucha tea anti-cancer properties against breast, lung, liver, colorectal, ovarian, uterine, and prostate cancers are warranted to enhance comprehensive understanding and potential therapeutic applications.

Keywords

Integrative oncology Kombucha tea

Anticancer properties Traditional medicine

Cancer prevention

Complementary medicine

Subjects