By Fatma Younis
A new study from the University of California, San Francisco suggests that a supplement made from kudzu root, an invasive vine native to East Asia, can significantly reduce binge drinking among adults with alcohol use disorder. The research, led by professor Glenn-Milo Santos, found that participants who took kudzu extract before anticipated heavy drinking episodes cut their weekly binge-drinking days by about one-third, with effects persisting three months after treatment ended.
Study Details and Results
The trial enrolled 120 adults who binge drank at least once a week. Half received kudzu extract and half a placebo, taken about 2.5 hours before they expected to drink heavily, over a 12-week period that also included brief weekly counseling. By the end of treatment, the kudzu group's binge-drinking days fell from an average of 2.15 to 1.42 per week, while the placebo group saw only a marginal decline from 2.15 to 2.06. The proportion of weeks with any binge drinking dropped 30 percent in the kudzu group versus 7 percent in the placebo group.
Persistent Effects and Safety
Researchers noted that the reductions continued after the treatment stopped, suggesting the supplement may help participants rethink their relationship with alcohol and build confidence in drinking less. No serious side effects were linked to kudzu in the study, though the supplement has been associated with slow blood clotting, kidney problems, liver injury, and interactions with birth control. A 2020 recall of kudzu supplements from Oregon highlighted potential salmonella contamination.
Context and Availability
Binge drinking contributes to roughly 178,000 deaths annually in the United States, yet only about 10 percent of people with alcohol use disorder ever receive medication for it. Existing drugs are generally low-cost and covered by insurance, but they require daily use. Kudzu, used in traditional medicine for more than 2,000 years, offers a potential as-needed option costing just over $30 for a typical supply sold online.
