Kava bars popular despite concerns

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla., Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Kava, the crushed root of a South Pacific pepper plant used in tea, is becoming the main attraction at alcohol-free kava bars in the United States.

Kava has become a popular ingredient in juices and teas because of its calming effect it has on users.

"It's so laid back," said Kevin Fookes, of Boynton Beach, Fla., who said he used to drink alcohol. "This is much nicer. No fights."

Kava bars have been growing in popularity despite concerns of federal health officials that kava could be what amounts to a harmful recreational drug, USA Today reported Friday.

In 2002, U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned of a possible link between kava and liver failure, and has asked doctors to report such problems, while the National Institutes of Health, is using rats to test kava's safety.

Several people have been arrested for driving while under the influence of kava in San Mateo, Calif., says San Mateo County District Attorney Jim Fox.

"Kava's effect is well-known in the Pacific islands," said Fox. "It puts people to sleep. It could definitely impair one's ability to drive."