Herbal supplement linked to decline in excessive alcohol consumption

Key Points:

• A study by University of California-San Francisco researchers found that supplements made from kudzu root, an invasive vine from East Asia, reduced binge drinking days in people with alcohol use disorder, with effects lasting three months post-treatment.
• The study involved 120 adults who binge drank weekly; those taking kudzu extract saw binge drinking days drop from 2.15 to 1.42 per week, compared to minimal change in the placebo group.
• Kudzu supplements were taken about 2.5 hours before anticipated heavy drinking and combined with brief weekly counseling, showing a 30% reduction in binge-drinking weeks versus 7% in the placebo group.
• No serious side effects were reported during the study, though kudzu has been associated with health risks such as slow blood clotting and liver injury, and past recalls due to contamination concerns.
• Researchers highlight kudzu as a potential new tool for reducing binge drinking, offering an alternative to daily medications, though only 10% of people with alcohol use disorder currently receive medication-based treatment.