Thumbnail Image

Kava: A Review of the Safety of Traditional and Recreational Beverage Consumption. Technical Report

Year of publication 2016

Pages 47 p.

Publisher FAO/WHO ;

Product type Document

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Kava beverage has a long history of consumption in the South Pacific and has an important role in traditional community ceremonies. In recent times, it has become more widely consumed as a recreational beverage in both the South Pacific islander community as well as in the wider international community. Within these communities, kava is considered to be a safe and enjoyable beverage, based on a long tradition of use and little evidence of harm. This review has examined existing data relevant to the safety of kava beverage and identified any gaps in the available data, as well as steps that are needed to ensure the safe use of kava beverage. Consideration has been given to the method of preparation of kava beverage, the toxicity of its chemical components, the levels of consumption and the adverse health effects observed in consumers. Consideration has also been given to the relevance of the cases of hepatotoxicity that have been associated with consumption of kava medicinal products in non–Pacific island countries.

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Policy brief
    Solomon Islands food and beverage trade 2022
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    Trade of food and beverages between Solomon Islands and its international trade partners is an increasingly dominant component of the Solomon Islands Food System. Post-Second World War trade was mostly export of cash crops including copra, and import of incidental commodities including wheat flour, canned meat, biscuits and sugar. Since this time, however, and particularly since the period of tensions, imports have grown dramatically, including a diverse array of highly processed foods and staples. Yet, an accurate understanding of Solomon Islands food and beverage trade and how it affects many aspects of life including health, the domestic economy, and traditional agriculture, has been unavailable until now.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (series)
    Trends in Foreign Direct Investment in Food, Beverages and Tobacco 2016
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    This paper analyses foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in food, beverages and tobacco, including primary agriculture and retail, from 2003 to 2014. It provides information on global, regional and - where possible - national trends in FDI flows in food, beverages and tobacco. When data are available, this study also provides more detailed insights into particular qualitative traits of FDI flows, such as whether FDI seems to be market- or resource-seeking, or in how far changes in sub-sector-sp ecific investment could be linked to changes in consumer demand. Thus it contributes to the ongoing global debate on the relevance and characteristics of FDI in developing country agriculture.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Article
    Protecting special wild tree species and traditional knowledge towards securing livelihoods of rural communities: A study on Kithul (Caryota urens) industry in Sri Lanka
    XV World Forestry Congress, 2-6 May 2022
    2022
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    People in tropical island countries have long-lasting connections with wild trees that help securing their livelihoods. Deforestation, extensive use of chemicals and unsustainable forest resource management have resulted in losing tree-based natural products and rural livelihoods based on such trees. As a tropical island country, Sri Lanka is a home for many different native palm tree species. When considering the economic value, Kithul (Caryota urens) has the highest potential and economic viability among the non-timber forest product categories in Sri Lanka (Senaratne et al, 2003). Rural communities use Kithul as a multiple-use tree with a considerable economic value through processing the Kithul sap into toddy, treacle and jaggery that have a high market demand locally and abroad (De Zoysa, 2017). However, it can be observed that the present consumerism and monocultural practices affect the traditional Kithul industry. The Kithul product supply is insufficient to accommodate the market demand and the products indicate a low quality. Hence, this research investigates the causes for the low quality of products and the discouragement of rural communities to involve in Kithul industry, and finds ways to secure rural economies and livelihoods based on such industry. Based on Sinharaja, Dediyagala and Peak Wilderness lowland rainforests, the primary data of this research were collected conducting semi-structured interviews with the villagers who involved in Kithul industry. The Kithul products were observed and tasted during field visits to collect additional information. The government introduced chemicals to increase Kithul sap harvests and the forest conservation laws prohibiting access to forests have resulted in declining Kithul industry. If the rural communities given limited access to forests and encouraged to grow Kithul trees in their home gardens they could practice their traditional knowledge related to Kithul industry to sustainably re-assure their livelihoods. Keywords: Kithul (Caryota urens) industry, traditional knowledge, rural communities, livelihoods, Sri Lanka ID: 3486467
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.