‘Healthy’ kava drinks linked to surge in poison center calls

April 2, 2026
Illustration of a canned kava based beverage giving off the shadow of a skull

Kava, a traditional Pacific Island plant, is now widely sold in drinks and supplements across the U.S. UVA Health researchers report a sharp increase in kava-related calls to poison centers. (Image generated by Johnny Utterback, University Communications, assisted by AI)

A drink marketed as a “healthy” alternative to alcohol is sending more people to poison centers, according to new UVA Health research.

A traditional plant once used in Pacific Island cultures, kava now fills drinks, supplements and extracts across the country. UVA Health researcher Rita Farah, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, led a team at 鶹ƽ Blue Ridge Poison Center that tracked a 383% nationwide increase in kava-related calls, from 57 in 2011 to 203 in 2025. Men ages 20 and older accounted for the most cases.

Portrait of Dr. Chris Holstege

Dr. Chris Holstege, director of the Blue Ridge Poison Center, says unregulated kava products sold in local stores can pose health risks and warns the public to be aware of potential complications. (Photo by Erin Edgerton, University Communications)

“The number of kava-related calls to poison centers decreased after the 2002 Food and Drug Administration public warning associating severe liver injury with kava ingestion,” Dr. Chris Holstege, director of the Blue Ridge Poison Center, said. “We are now experiencing an increase in calls again as new kava products enter the market, including products mixed with other substances such as kratom that can cause adverse interactions.”

As calls have increased, so have serious health effects. In 2025, nearly one-third of reported cases led to severe problems, including issues affecting the brain and heart, second only to 2024, when that number reached 39%.

Kava’s active compounds act as a sedative and can reduce anxiety, but products sold in the U.S. are unregulated and have been found to be up to 10 times stronger than traditional versions, increasing the risk of side effects like a rapid heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, and in some cases, liver damage.

The risks are even greater when kava is combined with kratom – often sold in gas stations and vape shops – which can lead to serious symptoms such as high blood pressure, seizures, and tremors. Calls involving both substances now account for 30% of cases, .

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Researchers hope their findings will raise awareness about the potential health risks of kava products.

“These new kava products are found in stores throughout our area,” Holstege said. “The public needs to be aware of potential complications associated with the consumption of these products that are not regulated by the FDA and have no defined quality control.”

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Traci Hale

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