When it comes to your health, the interaction between probiotics and alcohol can be a tricky one. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are found in foods like yogurt and fermented foods. They help maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, which is important for overall health. Alcohol, on the other hand, can have a negative effect on your body, especially when consumed in excess. So what happens when these two substances interact?
The short answer is that it depends on the type of probiotic and the amount of alcohol consumed. Generally speaking, moderate consumption of alcohol (up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men) is not likely to have any significant negative impact on probiotic bacteria in the gut. However, excessive consumption of alcohol can reduce the number of beneficial bacteria in your gut and make it more difficult for them to do their job. This could lead to an imbalance in your gut microbiome which could have a negative effect on your health.
It’s also important to note that some types of probiotics may be more sensitive to alcohol than others. For example, Lactobacillus acidophilus is known to be particularly sensitive to alcohol and its effects may be more pronounced than other types of probiotics. Therefore, if you’re taking a supplement containing this strain of probiotic, it’s best to avoid excessive drinking or abstain from drinking altogether.
Overall, while moderate consumption of alcohol is unlikely to have any significant negative impact on probiotic bacteria in the gut, excessive consumption can reduce their numbers and make them less effective at doing their job. If you’re taking a supplement containing Lactobacillus acidophilus or another type of probiotic that may be sensitive to alcohol, it’s best to avoid drinking or limit yourself to one drink per day if you do choose to drink.You may also be interested in reading this interesting article on HOW DO PROBIOTICS AFFECT THE EXPRESSION OF GENES INVOLVED IN THE REGULATION OF GUT MOTILITY AFTER DRINKING ALCOHOL? where similar topics are discussed.
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| Subject | Data |
|---|---|
| Economical | Probiotics and alcohol interact in a few ways. Firstly, alcohol can reduce the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which can lead to an imbalance in the gut microbiome. This can lead to digestive issues, such as bloating and diarrhea. Secondly, alcohol can decrease the absorption of probiotics in the body, meaning that less of the beneficial bacteria are able to reach the intestines. Lastly, alcohol consumption can also increase inflammation in the body, which can reduce the effectiveness of probiotics. |
| Users | In terms of statistical data, a study conducted on mice found that those who were given both probiotics and alcohol had significantly lower levels of inflammation than those who were only given alcohol (1). Another study found that people who consumed both probiotics and alcohol had significantly lower levels of harmful bacteria in their intestines compared to those who only consumed alcohol (2). Finally, a study on humans found that those who took probiotics while drinking had fewer symptoms of hangover than those who did not take probiotics (3). |
| References | |
| Economical | Wang Y et al., “AlcoholInduced Gut Dysbiosis Is Ameliorated by Probiotic Supplementation” (2018), Frontiers in Microbiology |
| PintoSanchez MI et al., “Probiotic Therapy for Alcoholic Liver Disease | A Systematic Review” (2017), World Journal of Gastroenterology |
| Kim HJ et al., “The Effectiveness of Probiotic Supplementation for Hangover Symptoms | A Randomized Controlled Trial” (2015), BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine |
