The end of tragic mornings. Scientists develop anti-hangover gel
This innovation was developed by a group of researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.
![The end of tragic mornings. Scientists develop anti-hangover gel](https://media-manager.noticiasaominuto.com/960/naom_6166aa5940f75.jpg)
© Shutterstock
![Notícias ao Minuto](https://cdn.noticiasaominuto.com/img/equipa/pessoa/naom.png)
Lifestyle Ressaca
A group of researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich has taken a major step towards beating hangovers. The scientists have developed a gel, made from milk proteins and gold and iron nanoparticles, which can protect the body from alcohol poisoning by diverting the metabolism of alcohol away from the liver and into the digestive system, preventing the formation of toxic acetaldehyde in the body.
Acetaldehyde is a toxic chemical produced by the body as it breaks down alcohol (ethanol). It is responsible for the unpleasant symptoms of a hangover. "The gel shifts the degradation of alcohol from the liver to the gastrointestinal tract. Unlike when alcohol is metabolised in the liver, no harmful acetaldehyde is produced as an intermediate," said study leader Raffaele Mezzenga.
Read Also: Calças já não apertam? Aposte nestes seis frutos secos anti-inflamatórios (Portuguese version)
The results of the tests on mice, published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, showed that the gel was able to rapidly, efficiently and selectively convert the alcohol into harmless acetic acid before it entered the bloodstream.
According to the scientists, mice given the gel had 40 per cent less alcohol in their blood 30 minutes after consuming alcohol. Five hours later, the blood alcohol levels of the treated mice were 56 per cent lower than the control group.
The authors of the study say that more tests are needed, but they are confident enough in their findings to have already filed a patent for the product.
Read Also: Especialistas apontam fatores que arruínam a nossa pele (Portuguese version)
Descarregue a nossa App gratuita.
Oitavo ano consecutivo Escolha do Consumidor para Imprensa Online e eleito o produto do ano 2024.
* Estudo da e Netsonda, nov. e dez. 2023 produtodoano- pt.com