alcohol: the auto-brewery syndrome
the auto-brewery syndrome (ABS) has hit the popular press https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/well/autobrewery-syndrome.html ); this syndrome results from the gut microbiome producing excess ethanol and exceeding the hepatic ability to metabolize it. at times it results in individuals being accused of DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) despite no alcohol consumption, having the breathalyzer test at high a level as 0.18% (see NatMicrobiology2026 in dropbox or https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-025-02225-y and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513346/ ). In addition, per the NY Times, an individual left his job after being stigmatized for smelling of alcohol, some individuals had frank alcohol intoxication and were felt to be liars by their doctors and spouses, and some even having alcohol withdrawal symptoms when not eating sufficient carbohydrates to stimulate the gut to produce ethanol Background (largely from the review article: auto-brewery syndrome review NatRe...