Does Cheese Actually Lessen the Effects of Alcohol? The Scientific Truth

January 6, 2026 •

4 min read

A 2023 study discovered that certain probiotics found in cheese can help speed up alcohol metabolism by boosting key liver enzymes. This research gives scientific backing to a long-held belief, raising the question: does cheese actually lessen the effects of alcohol due to its fat, protein, and probiotic content, and how does this affect your body?

Quick Summary

Eating cheese before drinking can slow alcohol absorption because its fat and protein content delay stomach emptying. Recent studies also suggest that beneficial probiotics in some cheeses can further aid alcohol metabolism.

Key Points

Slows Absorption: The fat and protein in cheese delay stomach emptying, which slows down the rate at which alcohol enters your bloodstream.
Reduces Peak BAC: By slowing absorption, cheese helps achieve a lower peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC), making the effects of alcohol feel less intense.
Boosts Liver Enzymes: A 2023 study found specific probiotics in cheese can enhance liver enzymes (ADH and ALDH), which help break down alcohol and toxic acetaldehyde.
Mitigates Hangover Symptoms: Accelerating the breakdown of acetaldehyde, a major cause of hangovers, can help reduce next-day discomfort.
Replenishes Nutrients: Cheese provides B vitamins and calcium, nutrients often depleted by alcohol, supporting your body's energy and metabolic functions.
Not a Cure: Eating cheese does not negate the effects of heavy drinking, as the liver can only process a limited amount of alcohol per hour.
Promotes Responsible Drinking: Including food like cheese with alcohol is a key strategy for responsible consumption, helping manage the rate of intoxication rather than eliminating it.

The Primary Mechanism: How Fat and Protein Slow Absorption

One of the most immediate and well-understood ways food, including cheese, influences alcohol's effects is by slowing its absorption. When alcohol is consumed on an empty stomach, it passes quickly into the small intestine, where it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. This leads to a fast and intense rise in blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The presence of food, especially cheese with its high concentration of fat and protein, slows down this entire process.

This happens because food digestion triggers the closure of the pyloric valve, the muscular opening between the stomach and the small intestine. With the valve closed, alcohol remains in the stomach for a longer period. As the stomach contains less surface area for absorption compared to the small intestine, and some alcohol-metabolizing enzymes (like alcohol dehydrogenase) are present in the stomach lining, the overall rate of alcohol entering the bloodstream is significantly reduced. Foods high in fat and protein take longer to digest than carbohydrates, making cheese and other high-fat options particularly effective at prolonging the delay in stomach emptying. While the total amount of alcohol will eventually be absorbed, this slower, tapered release into the bloodstream helps the liver keep pace with the detoxification process, leading to a lower peak BAC and less severe feelings of intoxication.

The Role of Probiotics and Liver Function

Beyond the well-known effect of slowing absorption, recent scientific research has uncovered another layer to the relationship between cheese and alcohol. A 2023 study published in the Journal of Functional Foods focused on probiotic-enriched cheese and found some remarkable results. The study revealed that certain probiotic bacteria, specifically Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus plantarum, could significantly improve alcohol metabolism.

When alcohol is processed by the liver, it is first converted into a toxic compound called acetaldehyde, which is responsible for many hangover symptoms. The probiotics in the study were shown to boost the activity of key liver enzymes, including alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which are responsible for breaking down both alcohol and acetaldehyde. By accelerating the breakdown of acetaldehyde, these beneficial bacteria help mitigate some of alcohol's negative effects. The study also found that the probiotic cheese activated specific pathways that reduce fat buildup in the liver and inflammation, offering a protective effect against alcohol-induced liver injury.

Cheeses Containing Beneficial Probiotics

Based on research, certain cheeses are better choices due to their probiotic content:

Cheddar: Contains Lactococcus lactis, known to contribute to its ripening process.
Brie: Also contains Lactococcus lactis and is a good source of probiotics when young and fresh.
Feta: Can contain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, another probiotic with potential alcohol-metabolizing benefits.
Goat Cheese: Fresh goat's cheese is noted for containing hangover-fighting fungi.
Camembert: A soft, mold-ripened cheese that contains Lactococcus lactis.
Parmesan: Can contain Lactococcus lactis.

The Nutrient Factor: Replenishing What Alcohol Depletes

Alcohol acts as a diuretic and interferes with the absorption of essential nutrients. As a result, drinking can deplete the body of vital vitamins and minerals. Cheese, however, is a good source of several nutrients that can help counteract these effects.

B Vitamins: Alcohol consumption can deplete B vitamins, which are crucial for energy and metabolism. Cheeses like Blue cheese and Camembert contain high levels of B vitamins.
Calcium: Alcohol can also deplete the body's calcium reserves, which are important for nerve and muscle function. Parmesan cheese, in particular, is an excellent source of calcium.

Is Cheese a Hangover "Cure"? Setting Realistic Expectations

While the science shows that eating cheese can help slow alcohol absorption and potentially boost metabolism, it is not a magic cure for hangovers or a license for excessive drinking. A full stomach, especially one filled with fatty and protein-rich foods like cheese, will prevent the rapid spike in BAC, making intoxication feel more manageable. However, the alcohol is still absorbed, and the liver can only process it at a constant rate—roughly one standard drink per hour. Regardless of what you eat, heavy drinking will still lead to a high BAC and a likely hangover.

Furthermore, while the research on probiotics is promising, it is still relatively new and relies on specific bacterial strains. It is not clear how consistently these findings apply to all cheeses or all individuals. Moderation remains the most critical factor for responsible alcohol consumption and avoiding negative side effects.

Comparison Table: Empty Stomach vs. Cheese-Rich Meal


Factor	Drinking on an Empty Stomach	Drinking with Cheese-Rich Meal
Absorption Rate	Rapid and intense	Slowed and tapered
Peak BAC Level	Higher peak level	Lower and delayed peak
Intoxication Onset	Faster onset of effects	Slower, more gradual effects
Liver Processing	Overwhelmed, leading to acetaldehyde buildup	Better able to keep up with metabolic demand
Hangover Severity	Potentially more severe symptoms	Potentially mitigated symptoms
Nutrient Depletion	Higher risk of depleting B vitamins and calcium	Helps replenish some key nutrients

Conclusion: Savor the Cheese, But Mind the Alcohol

The idea that eating cheese can lessen the effects of alcohol has a strong foundation in science. The fat and protein in cheese work to slow down alcohol absorption by delaying stomach emptying, leading to a more gradual rise in blood alcohol levels. Moreover, recent studies suggest that probiotics present in certain types of cheese can actively aid the liver in metabolizing alcohol and its toxic byproducts, offering additional protection. However, it is crucial to remember that cheese is a tool for moderation, not a magical shield. The liver's processing speed is still the limiting factor, and excessive alcohol consumption will still result in impairment and hangovers, regardless of your charcuterie board's contents. Always drink responsibly and in moderation, treating your pre-drinking snack as a way to manage the rate of intoxication, not its ultimate outcome.

For more detailed information on alcohol metabolism and its nutritional effects, please consult resources like this NIH article.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, cheese cannot prevent you from getting drunk. It can only slow down the rate at which alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream due to its fat and protein content, resulting in a more gradual rise in your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). You can still become intoxicated if you drink too much.

Cheeses with high fat and protein content, such as cheddar, goat cheese, or brie, are effective at slowing alcohol absorption. Some probiotic-rich cheeses may also offer additional benefits for liver function.

Foods high in protein and fat, like cheese, are particularly effective because they take longer to digest, keeping the pyloric valve closed and delaying stomach emptying. While all food helps, high-fat, high-protein options tend to have a greater impact.

Eating cheese or any meal immediately before or while drinking is most effective for slowing absorption. The closer to your first drink, the better. Delaying stomach emptying will be most impactful at the beginning of consumption.

Eating cheese will not cure a hangover that has already begun. However, by slowing alcohol absorption and potentially aiding metabolism with probiotics, it can help mitigate the severity of symptoms if consumed before or during drinking.

Specific probiotic bacteria in some cheeses can boost liver enzymes (ADH and ALDH) responsible for breaking down alcohol and the toxic byproduct, acetaldehyde. This helps the liver process alcohol more efficiently.

For most people, there are no specific risks associated with pairing cheese and alcohol. However, it's not a foolproof way to prevent intoxication. Heavy drinking, with or without food, poses significant health risks. Always consume alcohol responsibly.

While a 2023 study found that probiotic cheese showed a protective effect against alcohol-induced liver injury in tests, this is not a justification for heavy drinking. The best way to protect your liver is to consume alcohol in moderation or abstain entirely.