title: The Influence of Mixers Containing Artificial Sweetener or Different Doses of Carbohydrate on Breath Alcohol Responses in Females.
abstract: Breath alcohol responses may be affected by the presence of carbohydrate (CHO) in a beverage. This study investigated the impact of consuming alcohol with mixers containing various doses of CHO or an artificial sweetener on breath alcohol concentration (BrAC), ratings of intoxication and impairment, and cognitive performance in females.
  
  
  
  Twenty-six females (age 25.1 ± 0.7 years, mean ± standard deviation) completed a crossover study involving 4 trials. A dose of alcohol was consumed in each trial mixed with water (W), artificial sweetener (150 ± 1 mg aspartame [AS]), or CHO (15 g sucrose [15CHO] and 50 g sucrose [50CHO]). BrAC was sampled for 210 minutes following beverage ingestion and analyzed for peak BrAC and other parameters using WinNonlin noncompartmental pharmacokinetic modeling (cmax, tmax, area under the curve to the last measured time point [AUClast]). An objective measure of cognitive performance was assessed using a 4-choice reaction time (CRT) task. Estimation of BrAC, self-reported ratings of intoxication, and willingness to drive were recorded.
  
  
  
  Mean peak BrAC was reduced in a dose-response manner when alcohol was consumed with CHO compared to both W and AS treatments (W: 0.054 ± 0.015%, AS: 0.052 ± 0.011%, 15CHO: 0.049 ± 0.008%, 50CHO: 0.038 ± 0.007%). No difference in peak BrAC was observed between W and AS treatments. WinNonlin parameters revealed significant differences in cmaxand AUClast(W: 4.80 ± 1.12 g/dl/h, AS: 4.61 ± 0.92 g/dl/h, 15CHO: 4.10 ± 0.86 g/dl/h, 50CHO: 3.11 ± 0.58 g/dL/h) when CHO-containing beverages were consumed compared to W and AS treatments. No difference in tmaxor CRT was observed between treatments. Participants were able to detect subtle differences in peak BrAC and reported greater ability to drive after consuming 50CHO compared to W. However, participant's willingness to drive and CRT did not differ between treatments.
  
  
  
  Consuming alcohol with CHO-containing mixers attenuates peak BrAC and reduces total alcohol exposure in a dose-response manner compared to drinks containing artificial sweetener or no additives. The effect of adding CHO to alcoholic beverages may translate to reduced risk of alcohol-related harms.
authors.affiliation: Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.|School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Cassie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.|School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter John
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Herzig
authors.affiliation: Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.|School of Pharmacy, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.affiliation: Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.|School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Desbrow
authors.affiliation: Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.|School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Irwin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000378:metabolism; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D001218:Aspartame / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D013395:Sucrose; D001218:Aspartame
keywords: Alcohol; Artificially Sweetened Beverage; Carbohydrate; Fasted