New discovery at ETH Zurich might change how we think about drinking alcohol. Scientists there have developed a special gel that makes alcohol harmless to the body. Usually, drinking alcohol can cause many health problems, like liver disease and affecting how we think. It can even lead to accidents, like drunk driving, causing millions of deaths worldwide every year.
But this new gel, made mainly from whey proteins, could change all that. It works by breaking down alcohol in the stomach instead of the liver. This way, it doesn’t produce harmful substances like acetaldehyde. The gel has tiny iron particles on its surface that help break down alcohol, and gold particles that react with sugar to start the process.
Tests on mice have shown promising results. When given the gel along with alcohol, the mice had much lower levels of alcohol in their blood. Plus, they had less liver damage and were healthier overall.
The scientists say it’s still best not to drink alcohol, but this gel could be useful for people who want to drink but worry about its effects on their body. They’ve even applied for a patent for the gel, but more tests are needed before it can be used by people. However, because the gel is made from edible proteins, it offers hope for a safer way to enjoy alcohol in the future.
