Understanding What Foods Should I Avoid with Auto-Brewery Syndrome?

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

Research shows that patients with auto-brewery syndrome often report consuming a high-sugar and high-carbohydrate diet, which fuels the yeast and bacteria responsible for internal fermentation. For those with this rare condition, understanding what foods should I avoid with auto-brewery syndrome? is the cornerstone of managing symptoms and preventing episodes of unexplained intoxication.

Quick Summary

Managing auto-brewery syndrome requires eliminating specific foods that fuel gut fermentation, primarily refined carbohydrates, simple sugars, and yeast-containing products. Restricting fermentable substrates is crucial for controlling internal ethanol production.

Key Points

High-Carb and Sugar Restriction: The most critical step is to eliminate refined carbohydrates, simple sugars, and corn syrup, which serve as fuel for fermenting gut microbes.
Avoid Fermented Foods and Yeast: Introducing additional fermenting organisms through foods like kombucha, kefir, and yeast-leavened bread can exacerbate symptoms and should be avoided.
Prioritize High-Protein and Low-Carb Foods: A diet focusing on lean proteins, non-starchy vegetables, and healthy fats is recommended to reduce internal fermentation and manage symptoms.
Initial Strict Elimination is Key: The initial treatment often involves a very strict diet phase to starve the overgrown microorganisms, often combined with medication prescribed by a doctor.
Consult a Professional: A personalized nutrition plan guided by a healthcare professional or registered dietitian is essential for long-term management and to prevent relapse.
Be Mindful of Hidden Sugars: Read nutrition labels carefully, as many processed and pre-packaged foods contain added sugars that can trigger a flare-up.
Monitor and Reintroduce Gradually: After the initial elimination phase, some carbohydrates may be cautiously reintroduced under medical supervision to determine tolerance levels.

The Connection Between Diet and Auto-Brewery Syndrome

Auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), or gut fermentation syndrome, is a rare medical condition where fermenting microorganisms, such as certain yeasts and bacteria, overgrow in the gastrointestinal tract and produce excessive quantities of ethanol from ingested carbohydrates. This internal production of alcohol leads to symptoms of intoxication even without consuming alcoholic beverages. A diet high in sugars and refined carbohydrates provides the ideal fuel for these microorganisms to thrive, directly contributing to the severity and frequency of symptoms. Therefore, dietary modification is the primary, non-pharmacological treatment for managing ABS.

High-Carbohydrate and Sugary Foods to Avoid

The cornerstone of an ABS diet is the drastic reduction of fermentable carbohydrates and sugars. These foods are broken down by the gut flora, leading to the internal production of alcohol. Avoiding these items helps to starve the problematic microorganisms and restore a healthier gut balance.

Simple and Refined Carbohydrates

These are processed foods that are quickly converted to sugar in the body, providing a fast food source for fermenting microbes. To regain control over your symptoms, it is essential to eliminate these foods entirely during the initial treatment phase.

White bread and pasta: Made from refined white flour, these products are high in simple carbs.
White rice: A simple starch that ferments easily.
White flour products: This includes crackers, pastries, and baked goods.
Potatoes and potato chips: Starchy vegetables that are quickly broken down into fermentable sugars.

High-Sugar Foods and Beverages

Added sugars are a direct fuel source for yeast and bacteria and must be strictly avoided. This includes both table sugar and hidden sugars in many processed items.

Corn syrup and high-fructose corn syrup: Concentrated sources of simple sugars.
Sugary drinks: Sodas, sweetened tea, and fruit juices contain significant amounts of sugar.
Candy and desserts: These are typically loaded with refined sugars.
Refined sugars: Including glucose, dextrose, fructose, and maltodextrin found in many packaged foods.

Fermented and Yeast-Rich Products to Eliminate

While many fermented foods are considered healthy for the general population due to their probiotic content, they are detrimental for individuals with ABS as they introduce more fermenting microorganisms into the digestive system. Since the gut microbiome is already imbalanced, adding more yeast or bacteria can exacerbate the condition.

Fermented Foods

Yogurt with added sugars: Though often touted for gut health, sweetened yogurts can feed the overgrowth.
Kefir: A fermented milk drink that introduces additional microbes.
Kombucha: A fermented tea that is often high in sugar and yeast.
Vinegars: Many types, including apple cider vinegar, are fermented.
Soy sauce: Contains fermented soy.

Yeast-Rich and Moldy Foods

Bread using yeast for leavening: The active yeast can contribute to the internal fermentation process.
Peanuts: Can sometimes contain molds.
Mushrooms: Fungi that should be avoided by individuals with severe sensitivity.

Adopting a Low-Carbohydrate, High-Protein Diet

In the management of ABS, the focus shifts to a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet to reduce the amount of fuel available for fermentation. A registered dietitian nutritionist can help tailor a plan that is appropriate for your specific case.

Foods to Embrace

Protein sources: Lean meats, fish, seafood, eggs, lentils, and nuts.
Non-starchy vegetables: Leafy greens, broccoli, cucumbers, and bell peppers are good choices.
Low-sugar fruits: In moderation, options like berries can be incorporated.
Complex carbs (post-elimination): After the initial strict phase, some individuals may slowly reintroduce certain complex carbs like brown rice or quinoa under medical supervision.

The Elimination Phase versus Long-Term Management

Initial treatment for ABS often involves a very strict, near-zero-carb diet combined with antifungal or antibacterial medication for several weeks to clear the overgrowth. After this period, patients may gradually reintroduce some foods, carefully monitoring for symptom recurrence. Long-term management focuses on maintaining a lower-carbohydrate diet to prevent relapse.

Dietary Comparison: High-Risk vs. ABS-Friendly Foods


Food Category	High-Risk (Avoid)	ABS-Friendly (Embrace)
Carbohydrates	White bread, pasta, white rice, crackers, pastries, potatoes	Non-starchy vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats
Sugars	Table sugar, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, candy	Natural sweeteners in moderation (berries, some stevia)
Drinks	Soda, fruit juice, sweetened teas and coffee drinks	Water, unsweetened herbal teas, water with lemon
Fermented Foods	Yogurt (with sugar), kefir, kombucha, soy sauce, vinegars	Unfermented foods, whole and unprocessed foods
Yeast	Yeast-leavened bread, nutritional yeast	Non-yeast baked goods (if tolerated), meats, vegetables
Dairy	Milk (especially if sensitive), sweetened yogurt	Cheese (if tolerated), some opt for dairy-free alternatives

Consulting a Healthcare Professional

Diagnosing and managing ABS is complex and requires guidance from a multidisciplinary healthcare team, including a gastroenterologist, an infectious disease specialist, and a nutritionist. A proper diagnosis is crucial before implementing these dietary changes, as other conditions can mimic ABS symptoms. Your doctor may conduct tests, including stool cultures or a glucose challenge test, to confirm the condition and identify the specific microorganism responsible. This information is vital for prescribing appropriate antifungal or antibacterial medication and tailoring your diet effectively. For further information and support, you can find expert advice from organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Conclusion: A Proactive Approach to Diet and Digestion

Living with auto-brewery syndrome requires a proactive and informed approach to diet. By understanding what foods should I avoid with auto-brewery syndrome?, you can directly impact your symptoms and quality of life. Eliminating refined carbohydrates, simple sugars, and fermented foods starves the fermenting microorganisms responsible for producing internal alcohol. While the initial dietary restrictions can be strict, they are often the most effective path to symptom resolution. Following a low-carb, high-protein diet, and working closely with healthcare professionals ensures that you not only manage the immediate symptoms but also build a long-term, sustainable plan for your digestive health. Awareness and adherence to these nutritional guidelines are the most powerful tools in controlling ABS and reclaiming your health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, fruit juice is high in simple sugars, such as fructose, which can be easily fermented by the microorganisms in your gut, potentially triggering auto-brewery syndrome symptoms.

Not all carbohydrates are equally problematic. Refined carbohydrates and simple sugars are the most significant culprits. Complex, high-fiber carbohydrates found in non-starchy vegetables may be tolerated better, especially after the initial elimination phase.

While probiotics are generally beneficial for gut health, their use in ABS is complex. Some studies suggest multi-strain probiotics could help restore balance, but some probiotic strains, like Saccharomyces boulardii, are yeast-based and should be avoided. A healthcare provider's guidance is essential.

Many individuals can eventually reintroduce some carbohydrates under medical supervision after a strict initial treatment phase. The goal is to find a sustainable, low-carb diet that prevents recurrence, not necessarily to return to the previous high-sugar diet.

A strict, no-carb diet is typically recommended only during the initial treatment and antifungal/antibacterial therapy to eliminate the overgrowth. Long-term management usually involves a more moderate low-carbohydrate approach tailored to individual tolerance.

ABS is a rare condition and difficult to diagnose. It requires a detailed medical and diet history, along with specific tests such as a glucose challenge test under medical supervision. You should consult a doctor if you experience unexplained symptoms of intoxication.

Relapses can occur, especially if underlying medical conditions or medication use (like antibiotics) disrupt the gut microbiome. A doctor may recommend further antifungal or antibacterial treatment, a return to a stricter diet, or other interventions like a fecal microbiota transplant for persistent cases.