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Scientists discover protein gel that reduces ‘harmful effects of alcohol’ by half in rats
Health issues that arise from alcohol consumption claim millions of lives every year. As people addicted to the substance struggle to quit, scientists have discovered a substance that can supposedly reduce its impact on your body and mind.
The World Health Organization warns that even a small amount of alcohol can be detrimental to your health as there’s little to no evidence to support its benefits. Researchers are hopeful that the newly found “protein gel” can minimize the harmful effects of the substance among people who can’t stop drinking.
Protein gel reduces alcohol levels by 50% in rats
Alcohol is observed in the bloodstream through the stomach or small intestine, after which people begin to experience its effects.
Not only does it impair an individual’s ability to concentrate even when consumed in small amounts, but alcohol also poses major health risks such as liver disease, cancer, inflammation, and more.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a protein gel that can effectively break down alcohol in the gastrointestinal tract, before it enters the bloodstream, thus reducing its harmful effects.
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However, the experiment was conducted on mice, during which the protein gel reduced blood alcohol levels by up to 50 percent and protected the body from further damage.
Scientists are hopeful about using the protein gel on humans to minimize the effects of alcohol following further tests.
It combats alcohol symptoms and causes
Researchers hope that in the future, the gel produced using whey proteins can be taken orally before or during alcohol consumption to prevent the alcohol levels from rising and damaging the body.
The new release by ETH Zurich points out that the products available in the market may only combat the symptoms of alcohol, whereas the gel is promising in working against its causes as well.
However, the gel is effective as long the alcohol is still in the gastrointestinal tract and hasn’t entered the bloodstream. This means the gel can’t avoid alcohol poisoning or make someone drink less.
Its healthier not to drink alcohol at all. However, the gel could be of particular interest to people who dont want to give up alcohol completely, but dont want to put a strain on their bodies and arent actively seeking the effects of alcohol, �said Professor Raffaele Mezzenga from the Laboratory of Food & Soft Materials at ETH Zurich.
