Another 'soberade' on the market: does Outox keep its promise?
OBJECTIVE
Several products are being widely promoted for reduction of the concentration of alcohol in the human body. One of these preparations, the fructose soft drink Outox, claims to noticeably increase the alcohol elimination rate (beta 60). Theories to explain this 'fructose effect' are based on the assumption that NAD+, the coenzyme for alcohol dehydrogenase, is regenerated faster in the presence of fructose.


METHODS
A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study was performed with 30 volunteers in two drinking sessions each. Under strictly identical conditions, the same amount of alcohol was consumed, followed by the consumption of either 250 ml Outox or 250 ml placebo. Periodical measurements of blood (BAC), breath (BrAC) and urine alcohol concentration (UAC) were performed.


RESULTS
Analyses revealed a significant difference (P<0.0001) between the mean alcohol levels of the Outox and the placebo drinking sessions. The overall mean BAC difference was 0.077 g/l (BAC 0.748 g/l without vs 0.671 g/l with Outox), equivalent to 10.3%. The mean BrAC difference was 0.045 mg/l (BrAC 0.314 mg/l without vs 0.269 mg/l with Outox), equivalent to 14.3%. Differences were lower for women than for men. A significant difference between the alcohol elimination rates (beta 60) was not found.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that the soft drink Outox may decrease the alcohol concentration by about 10%. However, BAC and BrAC differences are rather a consequence of slower gastric absorption of alcohol, because Outox does not increase the alcohol elimination rate. Our study demonstrates that the claim of Outox or other fructose drinks to work as a 'soberade' cannot be proven from a scientific point of view. It should be the task of physicians to warn potential consumers, especially in connection with drinking and driving.
Pavlic
Marion
M
Institute of Legal Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. marion.pavlic@i-med.ac.at
Libiseller
Kathrin
K
Grubwieser
Petra
P
Ulmer
Hanno
H
Sauper
Tonja
T
Rabl
Walter
W
D000328:Adult; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001628:Beverages; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D015990:Placebo Effect; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D005632:Fructose; D000431:Ethanol