Protein bar designed to reduce alcohol absorption

US start-up Zeno Functional Foods has launched a range of protein bars, that reduce alcohol absorption by 50%, according to a clinical trial.

The Californian-based company claims that Sobar is “the world’s first food specifically designed and clinically evaluated to reduce alcohol absorption”.

Clinical testing was carried out by Inquis Clinical Research, an independent laboratory in Canada and results were published in the Journal of Medicinal Food.

The trial compared the 210 calorie protein bar’s ability to reduce alcohol absorption against two other foods groups by measuring the participants average peak blood alcohol concentration over 90 minutes.  

Tested four times each, a group of 21 adults were assessed after eating no food, a Sobar bar, 210 calories of a popular snack mix or a 635-calorie full meal before immediately consuming two drinks.

Results showed that blood alcohol concentration was reduced by 50% after participants ate a Sobar bar compared to eating no food. The snack mix reduced it by 25%.

After eating a full meal, the participants recorded a 68% blood alcohol concentration reduction. According to Zeno, the trial demonstrated that the Sobar reduced alcohol absorption more efficiently per calorie than the other food.

According to the start-up, the protein bar can reduce the amount of alcohol in the blood by decreasing the stomach’s emptying rate. Alcohol is broken down by enzymes in the stomach lining,

By combining milk protein and insoluble oat fibre in its Sobar bars, Zeno claims it holds alcohol in the stomach longer, which allows the alcohol to be broken down by the enzymes in the stomach lining.

Featuring three flavours: white chocolate almond, honey peanut and caramel macchiato, Sobar is available online for $30 per pack of 12 bars.