Drinking alcohol is an important part of many people's lives, but for some, alcohol can cause unpleasant effects such as getting drunk easily or experiencing stomach discomfort. It has been said that drinking yogurt can help alleviate these symptoms and protect the stomach. Is it true? Can drinking yogurt before consuming alcohol be effective?
Drinking yogurt before consuming alcohol is effective
It is widely known that drinking yogurt can help alleviate the effects of alcohol. The reason behind this is that yogurt has adhesive properties. When consumed, it forms a thin protective layer on the stomach lining, which can slow down the absorption of alcohol by the stomach. Additionally, yogurt can dilute alcohol and reduce its permeating effects.
Mechanism of yogurt's alcohol alleviating effects
The alcohol-alleviating effects of yogurt mainly stem from its ability to dilute alcohol and form a protective layer. During the fermentation process of yogurt, certain organic acids are produced. Some of these organic acids can react with alcohol, forming lipids that have sobering effects.
The optimal timing for consuming yogurt to alleviate the effects of alcohol
Although yogurt has alcohol-alleviating effects, it is important to consume it at the right time. The most effective method is to drink yogurt approximately half an hour before consuming alcohol. This ensures that the yogurt forms a protective layer. Drinking yogurt after consuming alcohol has minimal effects because by then, the alcohol has already been absorbed into the bloodstream, and yogurt cannot alleviate its effects in the bloodstream.
Precautions when using yogurt to alleviate the effects of alcohol
While yogurt can help alleviate the effects of alcohol, its ability to do so is limited, and the alcohol-alleviating effects are not very strong. Therefore, individuals who drink alcohol should not assume that drinking yogurt before consumption allows them to indulge in excessive drinking. Excessive drinking exceeds the alcohol-alleviating and stomach-protecting capabilities of yogurt, which can harm the stomach and other organs.
Precautions when consuming alcohol
1. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach is strongly discouraged. Alcohol is rapidly absorbed on an empty stomach, increasing the risk of getting drunk. Additionally, drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can cause significant damage to the gastrointestinal tract, leading to stomach bleeding or ulcers. The best preventive measure is to consume oily foods such as fatty meat or pork trotters before drinking, or to drink milk to take advantage of the slow digestion of fats in these foods, protecting the stomach from alcohol permeation. Avoiding drinking alcohol on an empty stomach is a key method to avoid getting drunk, as it prolongs the absorption time of ethanol in the body.
2. Avoid drinking alcohol with carbonated beverages such as cola or soda. The ingredients in these beverages can accelerate the absorption of alcohol in the body.
3. It is better to drink alcohol slowly rather than quickly. After five minutes of drinking alcohol, ethanol enters the bloodstream, and peak blood ethanol concentration is reached between 30 and 120 minutes. Drinking alcohol quickly causes a rapid increase in blood ethanol concentration, leading to a quick onset of drunkenness. Drinking alcohol slowly allows enough time for the body to metabolize ethanol, resulting in lower ethanol production and a reduced likelihood of getting drunk.
