A high-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet can slow down the breakdown of alcohol in the liver while reducing cravings for it, according to a study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.
In experiments conducted over several weeks, researchers monitored laboratory rats placed either on a standard diet or a ketogenic eating plan. When tested in a model of alcohol dependence, male rats on the ketogenic diet consumed significantly less alcohol than control animals on normal feed.
Despite drinking less, animals on the high-fat diet exhibited significantly higher blood alcohol concentrations after alcohol exposure compared to those receiving standard nutrition.
The researchers discovered that the ketogenic diet reduced levels of ADH1 in the liver, a key enzyme involved in converting ethanol into acetaldehyde. The diet also altered energy metabolism throughout the body by lowering blood glucose, elevating ketone levels, and reducing brain reliance on glucose as an energy source.
The reduction in alcohol consumption was not observed in female rats, although their alcohol metabolism slowed down to the same extent as that of the males.
How alcohol metabolism works
A ketogenic diet is an eating regimen high in fats and minimal in carbohydrates designed to alter how the body processes energy. Alcohol dehydrogenase 1, known as ADH1, is a primary liver enzyme responsible for breaking down ethanol into acetaldehyde, which is a crucial first step in clearing alcohol from the bloodstream. Neuropsychopharmacology is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that covers research on brain function, neural pathways, and psychotropic compounds.
Downsides and potential risks
The authors of the study cautioned that the findings have so far been observed only in animal models and may not directly translate to humans.
They also noted that slower alcohol breakdown presents a notable drawback. Because the liver processes ethanol more slowly on a ketogenic diet, an identical dose of alcohol can produce higher blood alcohol levels and cause more severe intoxication.
Earlier scientific studies have also indicated that maintaining a ketogenic diet may increase the risk of developing small intestine cancer.
