What is Auto-Brewery Syndrome?

April 26, 2024

A drunk driving case against a 40-year-old man was dismissed after his lawyer explained that he suffers from auto-brewery syndrome.

About Auto-Brewery Syndrome:

  • It is also known as gut fermentation syndrome.
  • It is a condition in which the body turns sugary and starchy food into alcohol, causing symptoms similar to that of a drunken man.
  • It is a condition in which ethanol is produced through endogenous fermentation by fungi or bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) system, oral cavity, or urinary system.
  • In other words, while yeasts and fungi feed on sugars and starch and convert them into energy, the process also creates waste in the form of carbon dioxide and ethanol (alcohol).
  • Symptoms: Its symptoms include being drunk without drinking alcohol or getting very drunk with only a little alcohol. Dizziness, headache, dehydration are a few among several other symptoms of the condition.
  • People with diabetes, obesity, and Crohn disease are more likely to get ABS. However, it can occur in healthy individuals as well.
  • Many medical reports suggest that people who suffer from ABS should avoid foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugar.