Effects of an amino acid mixture on alcohol metabolism and alcohol-related symptoms in healthy adults

TL;DR

A mixture of amino acids may help the body process alcohol faster and reduce hangover symptoms like fatigue and cognitive issues.

Contribution

This study is the first to show that an amino acid supplement can modulate alcohol metabolism and reduce alcohol-related symptoms in healthy adults.

Findings

Amino Liver reduced blood alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations more rapidly than placebo.

Participants reported fewer alcohol-related symptoms, especially fatigue and cognitive difficulty, after taking Amino Liver.

No significant adverse effects were observed with Amino Liver supplementation.

Abstract

Alcohol consumption is associated with metabolic burden and a range of alcohol-related symptoms. Amino acids have been suggested to support hepatic metabolism and recovery following alcohol consumption. This study investigated the effects of Amino Liver (AL), an amino acid mixture, on alcohol metabolism and alcohol-related symptoms in healthy adults. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial, healthy adults consumed AL or placebo prior to alcohol consumption. Blood alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations were measured at predefined time points up to 13 h after alcohol consumption. Alcohol-related symptoms were assessed using the Alcohol Hangover Severity Scale (AHSS). Safety parameters were also evaluated. AL intake was associated with a more rapid reduction in blood alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations compared with placebo. Participants who received AL reported lower severity of alcohol-related symptoms, particularly fatigue and cognitive difficulty, at 13 h after alcohol consumption. No clinically significant adverse effects were observed. The findings suggest that AL supplementation is associated with favorable modulation of alcohol metabolism and reduced severity of alcohol-related symptoms. Although further studies are required to confirm these findings and clarify underlying mechanisms, AL may represent a potential nutritional approach for supporting alcohol metabolism following alcohol consumption. Trial registration: Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS), Republic of Korea (KCT0010612). Registered 10 June 2025. Retrospectively registered.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-35178-1.

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