Which foods are most likely to cause a post-meal alcohol level to rise?

Experts say that after eating fruit, especially sugary fruits, the body produces a certain amount of alcohol - Photo: XUAN MAI

With Decree 100 still in effect, which stipulates penalties for drunk driving based on blood alcohol levels not exceeding 50mg/100ml or breath alcohol levels not exceeding 0.25 mg/liter, many people are researching which foods, when consumed, easily increase blood alcohol levels to avoid being unfairly fined.

Be mindful of fruits high in sugar, and dishes seasoned with alcohol...

According to Dr. Truong Hong Son from the Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine, in reality, fruits containing a lot of sugar such as bananas, rambutan, jackfruit, lychee, etc., or alcoholic beverages made from fruits can naturally ferment after consumption and produce a certain amount of alcohol.

In cases where these foods have just been consumed, alcohol levels can be measured, even at very low values.

Additionally, some people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are also at higher risk of having alcohol detected in their breath. The time it takes for alcohol to be eliminated from the system is approximately 15-30 minutes, depending on the amount you've eaten.

According to Dr. Nguyen Huy Hoang from the Vietnam-Russia Hyperbaric Oxygen Center, some Vietnamese dishes use alcohol as a seasoning, especially some seafood dishes such as steamed fish with beer, beef hot pot with vinegar dip, beef in wine sauce, etc.

Because it uses alcoholic beverages like wine and beer as seasonings, it contains some alcohol, although not a large amount.

Although eating these foods does not affect the ability to drive, it can still result in alcohol being detected in the breath.

Besides fruits and alcoholic fruit drinks mentioned above, Associate Professor Nguyen Hoai Nam (University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City) said that foods rich in carbohydrates (rice, noodles, pho...), rich in fiber (green vegetables), and yogurt also produce "exogenous" alcohol after eating, especially after eating too much in the evening, making food difficult to digest and generating alcohol.

Rinse your mouth, drink more water, and avoid eating too much at night.

To avoid having your blood alcohol level inflated even if you haven't consumed alcohol but only eaten foods containing alcohol, Dr. Hoang recommends resting for 30 minutes after eating, rinsing your mouth, and drinking plenty of water. If the reading is still positive, you can ask the officer to let you rest for another 15 minutes before retesting.

Associate Professor Nguyen Hoai Nam further advised that it is necessary to limit overeating and to eat plenty of fruit in the evening, paying particular attention to patients with digestive disorders, as this can cause more abdominal discomfort that lasts until the next day. At this time, the alcohol concentration in our bodies is higher because the food after eating has not been fully digested.

According to Dr. Hoang, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines the concept of alcohol units. One alcohol unit is equivalent to 10g of pure ethanol, which is equal to 200ml of beer; 75ml of wine (1 glass); or 25ml of spirits (1 shot). The approximate number of alcohol units depends on the amount consumed.

"For a healthy adult, the liver can eliminate one unit of alcohol every hour. This is an average figure. However, this varies from person to person; for example, those with weak livers or those who are overweight may experience increased or decreased alcohol elimination times."

"In addition, factors such as medical conditions, age, weight, or when the stomach is full of food will slow down the rate of alcohol absorption in the stomach, and the rate of alcohol elimination will also slow down," Dr. Hoang advised.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhung-thuc-pham-nao-de-tao-ra-nong-do-con-sau-an-20240302152031082.htm