Dont Blame Indigestion on Alcohol

NOTTINGHAM, United KingdomA new study published in the British Medical Journal suggests drinking alcohol during a rich meal may slow down digestion, but does not cause indigestion symptoms, such as burping, nausea, bloating or heartburn.

Researchers at the University Hospital of Zurich studied 20 individuals who either drank wine or black tea with cheese fondue followed by cherry liqueur or water as a digestive. The authors wrote that their findings using a fondue meal "can be generalized to address the wider issue of alcohol's effects on digestion and digestive comfort after any large, rich meal of the kind we all enjoy over the festive season."

Study participants were tested twice, with a seven-day interval between each experiment. The alcohol group drank wine with their fondue, followed by schnapps (cherry brandy); the control group drank black tea with their fondue, followed by water. The schnapps and water were taken 90 minutes later. Established scientific breath tests were used to gauge the effects of alcohol intake on the individual's digestive system.

Results found that alcohol slowed digestion but did not contribute to an increase in indigestion problems such as heartburn, belching and bloating.

The authors concluded that "healthy readers should be reassured that they can continue to enjoy this traditional meal with the beverage of their choice without undue concern about postprandial digestive discomfort."