A groundbreaking study conducted by a group of international researchers, including ETH Zurich materials scientist Raffaele Mezzenga and food scientist Jiaqi Su, has led to the development of a gel made from milk proteins and gold nanoparticles that shows promise as an effective hangover cure. Initial tests on mice have demonstrated that the gel could reduce blood alcohol levels by 40 percent in just 30 minutes. By shifting the breakdown of alcohol from the liver to the digestive tract, the gel prevents the production of harmful acetaldehyde, the compound responsible for many hangover symptoms.
The gel catalyzes the breakdown of alcohol in the gut into the less-toxic acetic acid, rather than acetaldehyde, leading to a significant reduction in blood alcohol levels in intoxicated mice. The team of researchers also observed that mice treated with the gel daily along with alcohol experienced less weight loss and better fat metabolism in their livers compared to mice given alcohol alone for 10 days, indicating potential benefits for organ health.
To create the gel, the researchers utilized milk’s whey, the watery part of milk separated during cheese making. By boiling the whey for several hours, the formation of long strands allows for the gel to come together in reaction with an iron-containing compound. The addition of gold nanoparticles and sugar helps facilitate enzymatic reactions that disarm alcohol. The gel’s composition and structure enable it to extend digestion time in the gut, converting harmful alcohol into less-toxic substances that the body can further break down.
While the results of the study are promising, there is still much work to be done before the gel can be deemed safe for human trials. The intention is for the gel to be taken either before or during alcohol consumption to preemptively counteract its detrimental effects. Mezzenga emphasizes that the healthiest approach is to abstain from drinking alcohol altogether, but the gel could offer a viable option for individuals who wish to enjoy alcohol without subjecting their bodies to undue strain.
Overall, the development of a milk protein and gold nanoparticle gel as a potential hangover cure marks a significant advancement in the field of alcohol detoxification. The unique composition and action of the gel offer a novel approach to mitigating the harmful effects of alcohol consumption, providing hope for a future where hangovers may become a thing of the past.
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