Sobering Science: Can probiotics help with alcohol problems?

We’ve been hearing more and more about ‘gut health’ in the media over the past several years. Discussion about the relationship between gut microbiome (the wide range of organisms that live in the digestive system) and physical and mental well-being is becoming increasingly mainstream.  

We know that alcohol messes with our gut, liver, and brain. Researchers wanted to know if probiotics (the ‘good bacteria’ found in yogurt and supplements) could help people dealing with alcohol problems and related liver damage.

What was the study?

The researchers reviewed 83 published studies that looked at microbiome/probiotics in relation to drinking alcohol, including four randomised controlled trials, to see if probiotics could:

  • repair gut damage from drinking
  • protect the liver
  • improve mood and brain function
  • reduce alcohol cravings.

What were the results?

1. Probiotics help heal the gut

  • Heavy drinking kills off good gut bacteria, leaving bad bacteria to take over.
  • Probiotics (especially Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) helped restore balance, sealing up a ‘leaky gut’ and stopping toxins from leaking into the bloodstream.

2. They protect the liver

  • When the body processes alcohol, it creates harmful by-products that damage the liver.
  • Probiotics boosted the liver’s natural defences, reducing inflammation and even helping reverse early signs of fatty liver disease.

3. They might help to reduce cravings to drink

  • Alcohol dependence messes with brain chemicals like dopamine (the ‘reward’ chemical) and GABA (which helps us to relax).
  • Some probiotics (e.g. Lactobacillus plantarum) produce GABA in the gut, which could potentially help to lower anxiety and alcohol cravings.
  • In animal studies, probiotics reduced how much alcohol they consumed, while some human trials showed similar promise.

Why is this important?

Alcohol problems, including alcohol dependence, can impact the lives of many people, potentially leading to liver disease, other health problems and mental health struggles.

We know that current psychological therapies like our Hello Change program and some medications are effective, while probiotics could be a simple add-on to these evidence based treatments because they can:

  • help repair gut damage from alcohol
  • help to reduce liver inflammation
  • improve overall health (better digestion, mood and immunity)
  • potentially help to lower cravings to drink

In a nutshell

  • Excessive alcohol use disrupts gut bacteria, harms the liver, and alters brain function.
  • Probiotics help restore gut balance, reduce liver damage, and may potentially help to lower cravings.
  • Key strains of probiotics that may help are: Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG), Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia muciniphila.
  • Future treatments might include probiotics alongside psychosocial therapy and medication, yet further research is needed in this area.

At Hello Sunday Morning, our programs are designed to support you at any time of your choosing, and in whatever your goals are for drinking, such as cutting down, taking a break or quitting altogether.

Try out our Hello Change program that will help you to learn specific ways to manage uncomfortable thoughts, feelings and cravings to drink, and our supportive and anonymous Daybreak community who will cheer you on, every step of the way.

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