Impact of a Single Dose of a Probiotic Nutritional Supplement (AB001) on Absorption of Ethylalcohol: Results From a Randomized Double-Blind Crossover Study

BACKGROUND: We conducted a prospective placebo-controlled double-blind randomized Study to assess the impact of a single dose of a nutritional Supplement (AB001) on alcohol absorption in healthy subjects. Other objectives were the impact on breath alcohol content, cognitive function 1 hour after alcohol uptake and tolerability. METHOD: A total of 24 healthy volunteers were enrolled into the study (12 male, 12 female, age: 28.3 ± 10.8 years, BMI: 23.5 ± 5.7 kg/m²). On the experimental day, they ingested a light breakfast together with a single dose (2 capsules) of AB001 (or placebo) and drank 2 moderate glasses of spirit (a total of 0.6 g/kg body weight). Breath alcohol tests and blood draws for determination of blood alcohol levels were performed for up to 6 hours. After crossover, the experiment was repeated in the following week. Areas under the curves were calculated to determine alcohol absorption rates. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction of blood alcohol by 10.1% (P < .001) with AB001, when compared to placebo. There was a less pronounced but also significant reduction of alcohol in the breath test by 7.2% (P < .05). No difference in the cognitive function test between AB001 and placebo could be observed 60 minutes after alcohol ingestion (22.6 ± 8.0 seconds vs 23.0 ± 11.2 seconds, n.s.). The supplement uptake was well tolerated and there were no adverse events related to the study intervention. CONCLUSION: Uptake of a single dose of AB001 shortly before drinking alcohol significantly reduced plasma alcohol and breath alcohol concentrations, but the effect was less pronounced compared to chronic uptake as shown previously.