IMMUNEGEN

Q: How does alcohol damage the liver?

A: Alcohol is broken down in the liver into by-products that are highly toxic to liver cells and cause inflammation. Over time, this will cause liver fibrosis, and ultimately lead to liver cirrhosis, which increases the risk of liver cancer. Other alcohol-related liver problems include fatty liver and alcoholic hepatitis.

The adverse effects of alcohol extend beyond the liver. Alcohol impairs brain functions. It damages the heart, causing problems, such as arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure, and stroke. It can lead to pancreatitis. It also weakens the immune system.

Alcohol is a carcinogen. It increases risk of head and neck cancers, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer.

Q: When cooking with alcohol, will all the alcohol be “burned off”?

A: Cooking does not remove all of the alcohol added to a dish. As much as 85% of the alcohol might remain after cooking, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. The extent of alcohol loss depends on the cooking method, temperature, duration, and the type of cooking utensils used.

Q: Can alcohol be found in breast milk? What happens if a baby drinks breast milk containing alcohol?

A: Alcohol may damage a baby’s development, growth, and sleep patterns. Alcohol levels are generally highest in breast milk 30 – 60 minutes after consuming an alcoholic beverage or food cooked with alcohol.

Q: What research is there to show that H. dulcis can help with hangovers?

A: Research shows that an active compound in H. dulcis—dihydromyricetin (DHM) can help reduce:

* the degree of drunkenness.

* hangover symptoms.

* the desire for alcohol.

A study by the University of California, Los Angeles showed that rats that were given DHM recovered from drunkenness within five minutes. On the other hand, those not given DHM took about 70 minutes, on average, to recover. DHM also stopped rats in a maze from displaying behaviors resembling hangovers. Rats given DHM showed a reduced dependence on alcohol.

Q: What research is there to show that H. dulcis can help ease the effects of alcohol?

A: Scientists believe H. dulcis works in the following ways:

* It promotes alcohol elimination by enhancing the activity of these enzymes—alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH).

* The DHM in H. dulcis stops alcohol from accessing gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. These are major targets of alcohol that contribute to alcohol withdrawal syndrome and alcohol dependence.

Q: According to South Korea’s National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, what effect does H. dulcis have?

A: South Korea’s National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation has stated that H. dulcis may help alleviate hangover symptoms.

Q: What scientific research is there on ginseng?

A: Research conducted in South Korea found that ginsenosides in ginseng have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms that can inhibit the growth of liver cancer cells, promote liver regeneration, and prevent liver injury caused by a lack of blood or oxygen. In a scientific mini review, researchers noted that ginseng could protect liver cells from radiation, viral hepatitis, and alcohol-induced injury.

Q: What makes monk fruit (luo han guo) sweet?

A: Monk fruit contains powerful antioxidants called mogrosides, which are metabolized by the body differently from natural sugars. Hence monk fruit does not affect the blood sugar despite its sweet taste. Also, researchers found that mogroside V in monk fruit is about 250 times sweeter than sucrose, which makes it a good choice as a natural sugar substitute.