Kudzu Cuts Binge Drinking in Trial
A UC San Francisco study found a standardized kudzu extract reduced binge-drinking days among adults with alcohol use disorder.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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Researchers at the University of California San Francisco found that a standardized kudzu extract reduced binge-drinking days among 120 adults with alcohol use disorder over 12 weeks. Benefits persisted three months after treatment ended, with no more side effects than placebo.
Why it matters
Fewer than 10% of people with alcohol use disorder are ever medicated for it, and excessive drinking is linked to roughly 80,000 U.S. deaths each year. The findings suggest a low-cost option that could expand treatment choices for San Francisco residents.
The trial enrolled 120 adults who binge drank at least weekly, and the kudzu group's binge-drinking days dropped from 2.15 to 1.42 per week against 2.15 to 2.06 in the placebo group. Researchers have not established whether store-bought kudzu supplements match the standardized extract used in the study.
The players
University of California San Francisco
A public research university in San Francisco whose researchers conducted the kudzu trial.
The details
Half of participants received a standardized kudzu extract and half a placebo, each taken about 2.5 hours before they expected to drink heavily, alongside brief weekly counseling over 12 weeks. The kudzu group had no more side effects than placebo, and no serious side effects were linked to the treatment.
Timeline
12 weeks: treatment period with kudzu or placebo and weekly counseling.
Three months after treatment: kudzu group still showed fewer binge-drinking days than placebo.
Treatment Landscape
Few people with alcohol use disorder receive medication, leaving a gap that the kudzu trial from UC San Francisco tests with a plant-based option. The results are preliminary and require replication before they could reshape clinical practice.
Anyone managing alcohol use disorder should not start kudzu supplements based on these results alone, since the study used a standardized extract and commercial products may differ. Patients currently in treatment should discuss any new option with their clinicians first.
The takeaway
A plant-based option showed measurable reductions in binge drinking that lasted after treatment ended, but confirmation in larger trials is still needed. Anyone considering supplements should consult a clinician about dosing and product quality.
Further reading
For more on treatment options, explore Substance Abuse coverage in San Francisco.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medindia.
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