According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 57.6% of adults regularly take at least one supplement. Even though these supplements can be beneficial for countless reasons, many people don’t think about how they interact with alcohol. One supplement, in particular, should never be taken with alcohol.
Read on to learn more about it.
Kava
Kava, or kava kava, is a herbal supplement primarily used for treating anxiety. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology explored the connection between kava supplements and reduced anxiety. The study involved 75 participants, and it lasted for six weeks. The scientists gave kava supplements to some participants, while the rest received placebos. Scientists concluded that the kava group experienced a significant reduction in anxiety with no decline in cognitive functions from the data.
Why You Shouldn’t Take Kava With Alcohol
A study published in 2015 in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health investigated the consequences of mixing kava with alcohol. The results revealed that kava can enhance the effects of alcohol and that people who took both before driving were “significantly impaired.”
Besides impairment, simultaneously taking kava and alcohol can cause liver damage. Namely, kava depletes glutathione, one of the most significant antioxidants in our liver. When kava is mixed with alcohol, the effects become much more intense. This is why most experts recommend taking kava supplements with caution.
Consult Your Doctor
While kava can help with anxiety, it can do more harm than good if it’s not incorporated into your diet correctly. We recommend consulting your doctor before adding this supplement to your routine. Moreover, it’s essential to always follow the instructions on the packaging and not take more than the recommended dosage.
