Who actually has 'endogenous alcohol content'?

Doctor Nguyen Trung Nguyen - Photo: DANH KHANG

* According to doctors, how should endogenous alcohol levels be understood? Who is more likely to have high endogenous alcohol levels?

- In cases where the body has not been exposed to or consumed alcoholic beverages, but a breathalyzer test still shows a positive alcohol level, this can be considered endogenous alcohol, meaning the body naturally produces alcohol.

However, it must be clearly stated that endogenous alcohol is present in people who are ill; healthy individuals do not exhibit this phenomenon. Endogenous alcohol is produced by specific bacteria and certain types of yeast present in the digestive system and on the mucous membranes of the body.

Alternatively, individuals with structural problems in the digestive tract, such as digestive disorders, biliary tract diseases, and dysbiosis of the digestive tract; liver cirrhosis, diabetes, metabolic disorders, and many other conditions can also cause endogenous alcohol production.

However, the incidence of this disease is very low, extremely rare.

Currently, hospitals can also test for endogenous alcohol levels to "excuse" some cases where patients claim not to have consumed alcohol but still have alcohol detected in their system.

Doctors will measure it using a carbohydrate test, which involves administering a certain amount of glucose and then measuring the blood alcohol concentration at regular intervals.

If the test results show that alcohol is present and increasing, it is most likely endogenous alcohol. Conversely, if no alcohol is detected during the test, it is not a case of endogenous alcohol.

So, what blood alcohol concentration level is harmful to health and affects driving ability?

- Regarding the harmful effects of this beverage, we need to understand that alcohol, or ethanol, is considered a depressant to the nervous system. Even when consumed in large or small amounts, alcohol can cause stimulation, excitement, and a breakdown of inhibition.

Drinking in moderation may only produce mild stimulation. However, excessive drinking can lead to overstimulation and the release of suppressed desires, behaviors, and thoughts. This can also lead to risks not only of traffic accidents and reckless driving but also of conflicts and disruptions to social order.

We must understand that even low levels of ethanol in the blood affect driving ability, and studies worldwide have clearly demonstrated this.

Therefore, simply detecting a positive blood alcohol concentration means we should not be driving.

In fact, thanks to the strict enforcement of penalties related to alcohol-related violations in the recent past, the center has recorded positive changes in the community. The number of cases related to alcohol poisoning and alcohol abuse at the center has decreased by 50%.

Many illnesses and long-term consequences still arise from excessive alcohol abuse. If we continue our efforts to prevent the harmful effects of alcohol and penalize drunk drivers, many diseases and long-term consequences caused by alcohol use and abuse will decrease in the future.

* Regarding current alcohol concentration testing, could the doctor share the appropriate regulations?

- Currently, our country is in a stage of development, and there are many things we need to do, including more scientific research on alcohol concentration regulations. First of all, with the current regulations on alcohol concentration, road users themselves must be aware that consuming alcoholic beverages or food will put them at risk of having alcohol detected in their system.

Having a blood alcohol level even without drinking alcohol is a very rare occurrence. Therefore, people don't need to worry too much.

If you eat seafood steamed in beer, you would have to eat a large quantity to raise your blood alcohol level. Or, if you have endogenous alcohol, you can use medical tests to prove it.

With clear and strict regulations on alcohol concentration in place, all non-alcoholic products, including fermented fruits, and other foods and medicines containing ethanol, should also be fully labeled so that people are aware, can choose products, and avoid the risk of having alcohol in their bodies.

Many people believe that even without drinking alcohol, the digestive system still produces endogenous alcohol through food and drink. But does everyone actually have endogenous alcohol, or are there certain individuals at higher risk of naturally producing alcohol?

Drinking too much alcohol is harmful to your health.

According to medical recommendations, a man should not consume more than 20 grams of ethanol, equivalent to about 50cc of 50-proof liquor, per day, while women can consume half that amount. Drinking more than that will harm your health.

Therefore, after work, we can drink in moderation. It's possible to finish the party before midnight, giving us at least six hours to rest before returning to work the next day and ensuring we have no alcohol in our system. In the context of legal regulations, citizens need to comply.

A nutritionist in Ho Chi Minh City said that endogenous alcohol levels are more common in people with diabetes, because the increased levels of ketones in their blood cause alcohol to appear in their breath. For people with normal health who eat everyday foods (without drinking alcohol), the level of alcohol produced in the body and detectable through breath is not high.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ai-moi-co-nong-do-con-noi-sinh-20240305091325156.htm