2 days ago
Controversial 'alcohol alternative' coming to Woolworths this month: 'Impacts can vary'
A plant-based product promising relaxation, mood boosts, and even a safer alternative to alcohol is set to hit Woolworths shelves this month.
A bitter-tasting drink made from the root of a Pacific Island plant, kava has long been used in traditional ceremonies across Polynesia. Now, it's being marketed as a wellness beverage in supermarkets across Australia. But not everyone is convinced.
While the plant is often marketed as natural and non-intoxicating, the science behind kava's safety and efficacy is still emerging, particularly when it comes to modern, concentrated formulations, Dr Blair Aitken from Swinburne's Centre for Mental Health and Brain Science, told Yahoo News.
Some hail its calming effects and link the substance to lower anxiety, while others warn that these commercialised forms come with poorly understood health risks and little regulation.
"Kava contains active compounds called kavalactones, which can have a calming effect by influencing brain chemicals like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine," Dr Aitken explained. "It may reduce anxiety and promote relaxation without the intoxicating effects of alcohol, but its impact can vary widely depending on the formulation and dosage.
"Kavalactones increase levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps calm the brain and nervous system. They also enhance dopamine levels, which may improve overall mood and create a mild sense of well-being, and they slow down brain signals by blocking sodium and calcium channels, reducing overactivity in the nervous system."
Woolworths is the latest major retailer to introduce kava-based products, joining Coles, which already offers a small range, including powders and capsules.
The move is part of a broader trend following the federal government's 2021 import pilot program, which eased access to kava across most of the country. Commercial availability has since expanded, with products now found in chemists, health food stores, and increasingly on supermarket shelves.
Unlike alcohol, Dr Aitken said, kava doesn't typically impair motor skills or reaction time when used in traditional or therapeutic amounts. "Its effects are more subtle and stabilising rather than intoxicating," he said. However there are still concerns, particularly when it comes to modern extracts and non-traditional preparations, he added.
"There is no well-established toxic dose for kava," Dr Aitken said. "Most capsule formulations range from 50 to 100 mg of kavalactones, with a recommended maximum daily dose of 250 mg."
"When prepared traditionally and used within recommended amounts, kava is considered safe by both the World Health Organisation and the Australian government. The substance shows few serious side effects when used short-term at recommended doses,' he said. "However, higher risks may occur with modern extracts, combined use with alcohol or medications, high doses, or use by individuals with underlying liver issues."
Research into kava's use for treating anxiety has yielded mixed results. "While earlier trials showed promising results in generalised anxiety disorder, a more recent study by the same research group did not replicate those findings," Aitken said. "Kava appears more effective for situational or mild anxiety, rather than as a first-line treatment for diagnosed, clinically relevant anxiety."
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In Australia, kava is regulated as a food when imported for personal use or through approved programs. The Northern Territory bans personal importation and restricts use under separate legislation due to concerns about misuse and harm. Other states and territories allow limited personal use under federal guidelines. Internationally, the substance has a range of legal classifications — it's listed as a psychoactive substance in New Zealand, for example.
The way kava is prepared also plays a key role in its safety. Traditional water-based methods extract kavalactones while leaving behind many of the potentially harmful compounds. In contrast, modern commercial products sometimes use alcohol or acetone as solvents, which can extract flavokavains—compounds that may negatively affect the liver and nervous system. Some also include stems or leaves, which have different and more toxic chemical profiles than the root.
Coles offers several kava products, though not all have clear labelling around kavalactone content. For example, FijiKava Noble Root Powder contains an estimated 70–150 mg per 2.5g serving, but the exact amount is not specified. The TakiMai 50mL kava shot also lacks precise dosing information. By contrast, Bioglan Kava capsules sold at Chemist Warehouse offer standardised dosing, with 60 mg per capsule and a recommended daily intake of 60–120 mg — well within safe limits.
"Transparent labelling is essential," Dr Aitken said. "Consumers should monitor their intake carefully and stay within the recommended daily limit."
Dr Aitken is also a member of the International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety (ICADTS) Special Interest Group for 'Driver State Monitoring Systems,' and noted that while kava is not typically associated with impairment, more research is needed around its effects on alertness and driving, especially at higher doses or in combination with other substances.
With Woolworths set to join the expanding commercial kava market, health professionals are calling for increased transparency, clearer consumer education and regulatory oversight. "Just because it's natural doesn't mean it's risk-free," he said.
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