What is auto-brewery syndrome and how is it diagnosed?

Auto-brewery syndrome is a condition where gut microbes convert food into alcohol, causing intoxication. Diagnosis often involves blood alcohol tests after carbohydrate intake and stool analysis.

Which bacteria are responsible for auto-brewery syndrome according to new research?

New research in Nature Microbiology suggests that bacteria like Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae are responsible for producing alcohol in the gut for ABS sufferers.

Can a fecal transplant cure auto-brewery syndrome?

Experimental fecal transplants have shown significant promise in treating auto-brewery syndrome by restoring healthy gut bacteria balance in patients.

Home / Science / Body Brews Its Own Alcohol: Auto-Brewery Syndrome Explained

Body Brews Its Own Alcohol: Auto-Brewery Syndrome Explained

19 Jan

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Summary

Gut bacteria can convert food into alcohol, causing 'drunkenness' without consumption.
Specific bacteria like E. coli and K. pneumoniae are linked to alcohol production.
Fecal transplants show promise in treating auto-brewery syndrome.

Body Brews Its Own Alcohol: Auto-Brewery Syndrome Explained

A mysterious condition known as auto-brewery syndrome (ABS) allows the human body to produce its own alcohol from ingested food. This occurs when gut bacteria, fungi, or yeast ferment carbohydrates from foods like bread and potatoes into ethanol. While a small amount of alcohol is normal, ABS can lead to significant inebriation and long-term health damage, mimicking alcohol abuse. Doctors first identified ABS in Japan in the early 1970s.

Recent scientific advancements, published in Nature Microbiology, point to specific gut bacteria, notably Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, as culprits responsible for significant alcohol production. This breakthrough offers crucial validation for sufferers who are often misdiagnosed or dismissed. Triggers for ABS can include prolonged antibiotic use, diabetes, high-carb diets, or rare genetic factors affecting alcohol processing.