Cheese acts as a decelerator of alcohol absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the toxicity of ethanol breakdown products for the liver. This was reported by emergency physician and family doctor Sarah Marín Berbell from the Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital in Murcia in an article for the publication El Confidencial (EC).
The specialist reminds that there are no safe doses of alcohol. However, its harm to the body can be mitigated by eating a bit of cheese before consuming alcoholic beverages. She shared findings from several animal studies, which showed that rats given cheese prior to alcohol had lower blood concentrations of ethanol and acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is considered one of the primary toxic byproducts of alcohol metabolism and is also the main trigger of hangovers.
The doctor notes that cheese partially slows down alcohol absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, creating a kind of protective barrier. It contains calcium and B vitamins, which are essential for the optimal functioning of the nervous system, brain, and muscles.
Berbell added that certain studies point to cheese’s role in reducing inflammatory processes and lowering the risks of liver damage, but these effects require further investigation.
The specialist emphasizes that no single product can completely eliminate the consequences of alcohol abuse.
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