Zurich researchers develop gel that renders alcohol harmless

A research team at the Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich, has developed a gel that suppresses the effects of alcohol by preventing it from entering the bloodstream. It has been tested on mice who drank alcohol without harm. Clinical tests are still required before the product can be authorised for human use. The substance, which has been developed by researchers at the Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich, breaks down alcohol in the gastrointestinal tract before it enters the bloodstream, according to a study published on Monday in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. "Our technology could offer a novel solution in the fight against the global problem of alcohol abuse," said researcher Raffaelle Mezzenga. Toxic effects on the liver When alcohol is consumed, it passes through the stomach and intestine, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream and then transported to the liver. This is where most of the alcohol is broken down. The liver contains enzymes that convert ...