Here in South Florida, like it or not, we're usually on the cutting edge of new trends. Maybe it's because of the cosmopolitan flair of Miami. Maybe it's because of all the celebrities that love to vacation here.
Kava Bars a Popular Favorite Here in South Florida
Whatever the reason: it was almost a year ago to the day that the Palm Beach Post was reporting about the latest thing: a surge in Kava Bars popping up in South Florida. Allison Ross blogged in an article entitled, "Kava Bars Popping Up in South Florida," that kava tea was the new drink for bars in the Miami area - and this was true even though kava does not have an alcohol content.
Today, if you google "kava bars south florida" you'll find a long list of establishments serving Kava Tea from which to choose. They seem to be so competitive, in fact, that they've got promotions to draw you into their bar and away from their competition down the street, as well as different atmospheres to tempt you.
Read through the various South Florida kava bars and you find cozy ones. Friendly ones. Ones with live music. Ones that are more restaurant than bar, more bar than restaurant.
Kava Bars are a big deal here in Miami Beach.
What is Kava? It's something originating in the South Pacific that is a plant revered for its properties. Kava threads itself through social and cultural traditions as well as medicinal and religious ones in a large number of Southern Pacific islands, such as Tonga, Fiji, Hawaii, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Vanuatu. In fact, Kava is a grown as a cash crop in Vanuatu and Fiji.
Some folk chew the Kava root or take a Kava pill, but drinking Kava tea appears to be the most popular way to imbibe Kava. You can buy Kava Tea at your local store or online, it's not expensive. You can also go to your local Kava Bar and order a specially prepared Kava drink just for you. Cold or hot.
New Research Study Warns Against Kava Tea
It's not the first warning that Kava may hurt you, but the latest study warning against the dangers of Kava tea is getting lots of attention and respect. Last week, the American Journal of Emergency Medicine published a study released by the University of Rochester Medical Center on the dangers of Kava Tea.
The case study even supports its assertion of the growing popularity of Kava Tea by pointing to three new Palm Beach Kava Bars that have opened recently here in South Florida.
This case study is heralded as the first piece of scientific literature dealing with Kava tea. (Hence, the notoriety that this study is getting around the world). Here's the citation to the study if you wish to purchase the complete research study online in pdf format: Ryan Bodkin, Sandra Schneider, Donna Rekkerth, Linda Spillane, Michael Kamali. Rhabdomyolysis associated with kava ingestion. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2011; DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2011.01.030.
What's the big deal?
Seems that this case study began when a 34-year-old guy was riding his bike along some roadway in or near the University of Rochester when he collapsed on the side of the road. Wham. When he arrived at the E.R., they discovered that he had recently injested Kava Tea and tied the Kava to his episode where he had nearly suffered complete kidney failure as well as a muscle breakdown.
The guy up in New York recovered, he's okay. However, the University of Rochester study is being waved like a big, big red flag by all sorts of folk: doctors, researchers, media outlets, and of course, Big Pharma who don't like herbal remedies and the like.
So, will Kava Tea -- which has been a popular beverage among South Pacific Islanders for over 3000 years -- be found dangerous to drink here in South Florida?
Who knows. This same media scare hit South Florida back in 2005 --see the USA Today story back then, covering the Nacava Bar in Boca Raton, and discussing the FDA warnings of 2002 on Kava.
South Floridians will probably continue to frequent Kava Bars. And, here's the thing: if you do suffer symptoms of harm due to drinking Kava, then Florida laws do exist to protect you.
Personal injury laws are on the books for just this sort of thing. Kava may not be an alcoholic beverage, but those who manufacturer, distribute, and sell this herb or drink are still responsible for its safety.
on May 5, 2011 1:49 PM
Any responsible Kava provider will let you know forehand that intense physical activity after drinking Kava is not recommended. I read it in my online provider's website, and follow its instructions. I've never had a negative experience or side effect related to Kava. Contrarily, it's brought a sense of well-being and connection into my life.
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