Lesion product: why kvass should not be drunk in Parkinson's disease
Doctors do not rule out that kvass can harm health if a person is being treated for neurodegenerative diseases (NDD), in particular Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. This is because even a small amount of ethanol, which is contained in a soft drink, can negatively interact with certain types of drugs. Izvestia figured out in which cases it is not worth risking using kvass, and which of its varieties are most useful.
White or dark kvass: what to choose
Anastasia Lebedeva, Associate Professor of the Department of Dietetics at Rosbiotech University, explains that kvass is a product of lactic acid and partly alcoholic fermentation of sugary substances that are formed from starch contained in the starting materials. According to GOST, for the industrial production of kvass, the recommended proportion of ethyl alcohol is no more than 1.2%.
"However, the alcohol level in kvass may vary depending on the cooking method," warns Anastasia Lebedeva. — Traditionally, the ethanol content in kvass ranges from 0.5% to 2.5% by volume. In some cases, especially when using traditional fermentation methods, the alcohol level in the drink may be higher and reach 4-5%.
According to the expert, white kvass is made on the basis of wheat and contains 0.5–1.2% alcohol (less often — up to 1.5%). Dark kvass, which is prepared with rye malt, is stronger and contains 0.7–1.5%.
"In healthy people, such doses do not cause intoxication, but among patients with alcohol dependence or ethanol intolerance, even such a minimal amount can cause undesirable reactions," comments Anastasia Lebedeva.
How dangerous is ethanol
Oleg Oshkoderov, a neurologist at the Be Healthy clinic on Sretenka, PhD, explained to Izvestia that there are no clear recommendations and contraindications for the use of kvass by people with neurodegenerative diseases. But for patients who have a suspicion of HDL (for example, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease), or those who are already undergoing appropriate pharmacological treatment, the expert recommends that they refrain from drinking both kvass and alcohol in principle.
— Since kvass contains ethanol, it can be considered as a kind of toxic substance incompatible with monoamine oxidase (MOA-B) inhibitors. These biologically active substances prevent the destruction of important neurotransmitters and hormones (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine). The potential risk of an adverse interaction between alcohols and such medicinal substances cannot be completely excluded," explains the neurologist.
According to the expert, the results of a large Brazilian study from March 2025 indicate that any amount of alcohol is contraindicated in NDZ. The scientific work analyzed the relationship between alcohol and neuropathological changes based on postmortem brain studies. Meanwhile, the study only covered those who drank moderately or in large doses. It remains to be seen how a small amount of alcohol affects the course of the disease, Oleg Oshkoderov draws attention.
— Data on small doses are not provided. In addition, the authors emphasize that the interpretation of the results is complicated by the short follow-up period of the patients. The issue of the effects of low and moderate doses of alcohol with prolonged and regular use requires clarification," the neurologist comments.
The clinic noted that the study provides valuable data on potential pathological mechanisms linking alcohol addiction and cognitive impairment.
— It is noteworthy that even a small amount of alcohol (up to seven doses per week) is associated with an increased risk of vascular changes in the brain. This contradicts some previous studies on the potential benefits of moderate consumption," the expert comments.
Can I drink kvass while driving
Drinking kvass does not restrict the right to drive, but if you drink a lot of this drink at the same time, the amount of alcohol in the blood will increase dramatically. Theoretically, this can become a contraindication when driving vehicles, the neurologist emphasizes.
— However, in order for the alcohol level to rise to 0.16 mg/ l in the exhaled air, you need to drink at least 2 liters of kvass, Oleg Oshkoderov points out.
At the same time, the neurologist advises to take into account that the breakdown of alcohol depends not only on the volume of alcohol consumed, but also on the individual characteristics of a particular person, including the genetically determined metabolic rate.
— Therefore, the general recommendation is: after a mug or two of kvass, it is better not to drive for at least half an hour, - the expert summarizes.
The healthiest drink
From the point of view of science, the most useful is natural kvass without preservatives, with live yeast and probiotics.
— Kvass should not contain more than 5-7 g of sugar per 100 ml. Healthy people can drink one or two glasses at a time and no more than four per day (up to 400 ml). With obesity and diabetes, you should limit yourself to one glass because of carbohydrates," comments Anastasia Lebedeva.
Kvass is not prohibited for pregnant women, but the nutritionist advises choosing a pasteurized drink without live yeast. Nursing mothers should not drink too much of this drink, so as not to provoke bloating in the baby. As an alternative, the associate professor advises mothers to drink compotes or, if they want kvass, dilute it with water.
She clarifies that the drink quenches thirst due to its sour taste and light carbonation. However, in large quantities, due to sugars and malt, it can, on the contrary, increase thirst.
— In the heat, it is better to drink unsweetened kvass diluted with water, or add ice to the drink. And fatty, high—calorie foods should not be washed down with cold kvass, so that there are no digestive problems, advises Anastasia Lebedeva.
In case of chronic diseases, the associate professor advises to consult a doctor. In particular, kvass is contraindicated in exacerbation of diseases of the stomach, biliary tract, pancreas and liver, as well as intestinal dysbiosis.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
