Kava drinks are popular as mood-boosting alternatives to alcohol, but one doctor says they can lead to liver damage.

• Kava is an increasingly popular alternative to alcohol, believed to improve your mood and help you feel calm.
• But kava can be dangerous, a doctor says, and has been linked to serious liver damage.

Kava, a drink made from a tropical plant root, has become increasingly popular at bars looking to create a fun, alcohol-free gathering space.

Sometimes nicknamed ‘Natural Xanax“, kava is thought to reduce anxiety, promote relaxation and improve mood. Outside of bars, it has also become a popular ingredient in canned drinksand it is also sold as a supplement.

But in addition to making you Feeling nauseous, kava can also be dangerous, said Dr. Danielle Belardo, a cardiologist based in Los Angeles. The herbal supplement has been linked to numerous reports of severe liver damage and even liver failure in the United States. go back decadesand is especially dangerous for people with liver disease and those taking certain medications.

Kava has gained popularity for its calming effects

Kavaalso called kava kava, is made from the root of the kava plant Piper methysticum.

Kava has been consumed by Pacific Islanders for centuries, and its popularity has increased in the United States in recent decades.

Kava – like alcohol – is a depressant, meaning it can slow down your brain and calm you down.

Some research has also shown that kava may have therapeutic properties, such as reduce anxietyand help people with insomnia fall asleep.

Kava has been linked to liver damage

Although kava may have potentially therapeutic properties, it has also been linked to several cases of liver damage.

In 2002, the Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention issued a warning against the use of kava, citing cases of liver damage in the United States, Germany and Switzerland. In 11 cases, patients had to undergo a liver transplant.

“Such hepatic complications have been observed several weeks to two years after taking, with the average duration being 4.5 months,” Belardo said.

Belardo said scientists aren’t sure why kava can sometimes be harmful to the liver and think it might have to do with pipermethystine or flavokavain B, compounds found in kava. However, further research is still needed and no definitive link has been established.

A paper 2020 on kava found that although liver damage was rare, part of the risk of consuming kava is the lack of standard procedure for how it is grown, harvested or made. It was also found that the risk of liver damage was possible if kava was taken for more than 2 months.

In the United States, supplements, including kava, are not regulated with the same scrutiny as medications by the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, the actual amount of kava in a product may differ from that stated on the package. It may also contain other undisclosed ingredients, making it difficult to know exactly what you’re taking.

Kava may also interfere with prescription medications

In addition to the risk of liver damage, kava may also interact with prescription medications, like anti-anxiety medications and medications for Parkinson’s disease, according to Cleveland Clinic. It may also interact with alcohol.

When it comes to taking supplements, Belardo said it’s important to weigh the risks against the potential benefits. Belardo also encourages people to consult their doctor first.