Scientists develop a beverage that can cut blood alcohol levels by half: Is that possible?

Around 3 million people die every year from excessive alcohol consumption, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). While the organization itself stresses that no level of alcohol consumption is safe, it's no surprise that binge drinking can cause havoc on the body.

Safety Shot, Inc. a US-based company, has developed a 'functional beverage' that promises to rapidly reduce blood alcohol content and improve brain function in less than an hour. It grabbed the attention as the world’s first patented, rapid alcohol reducer, which, according to the company, is "proven to help people feel better faster, in as little as 30 minutes."

The beverage created by a doctor using scientifically proven ingredients is designed for easy on-the-go use, which enables customers to reap the benefits anytime, anywhere. The drink reduces blood alcohol content (BAC)and improves central nervous system activity, motor cortex function, and cognition. Before delving into how the drug works, let’s take a look at how the body breaks down alcohol.

What happens when you drink alcohol

When you drink alcohol, it rapidly gets absorbed through the stomach and small intestine into your bloodstream, and affects multiple body systems within minutes. As a depressant, alcohol slows brain activity, impairs coordination, judgment, and reaction times. High doses can cause slurred speech, memory lapses, or blackouts. The liver metabolizes alcohol at a rate of about one standard drink per hour, converting it into toxic acetaldehyde and then harmless acetate; excess alcohol circulates, intensifying effects. It irritates the stomach, potentially causing nausea or gastritis, and acts as a diuretic, leading to dehydration and hangovers. Alcohol can also raise heart rate, disrupt blood sugar, and weaken immunity. Chronic heavy drinking risks liver damage, heart disease, and cancer, though moderate drinking may pose less harm for some. The effects vary by quantity, frequency, and individual factors like weight and tolerance.



How does the new beverage work

The product enhances metabolic pathways that break down blood alcohol levels and creates a protective barrier along the stomach lining to limit the absorption of residual alcohol. The study found that within 30 minutes of the consumption of the product, monitored participants reported a highly significant drop in BAC and peak changes in several of the markers responsible for the metabolism of alcohol. Participants aged 24–46, weighing 95–225 lbs, experienced a 30% to 50% faster rate of alcohol reduction compared to a placebo, with continued BAC reductions observed every 30 minutes.

"This marks a significant change in consumer behavior by providing a safer experience to consume alcohol, as well as better-controlled drinking habits to allow for a healthier and more enjoyable environment for the consumer. We are thrilled to finally share the news that after nearly a decade of research and development, our study has successfully confirmed what we have seen in many of our own non-clinical trials," Chief Operations Officer and co-inventor, David Sandler, said in a statement.

It is important to note that the WHO has confirmed that no level of alcohol consumption is safe. The risk starts from the first drop. “We cannot talk about a so-called safe level of alcohol use. It doesn’t matter how much you drink; the risk to the drinker’s health starts from the first drop of any alcoholic beverage. The only thing that we can say for sure is that the more you drink, the more harmful it is – or, in other words, the less you drink, the safer it is,” Dr Carina Ferreira-Borges, acting Unit Lead for Noncommunicable Disease Management and Regional Advisor for Alcohol and Illicit Drugs in the WHO Regional Office for Europe said.

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