Ketone Supplementation Dampens Subjective and Objective Responses to Alcohol: Evidence From a Preclinical Rat Study and a Randomized, Cross-Over Trial in Healthy Volunteers

In a single-blind crossover study, 10 healthy participants (3 females) received a single oral dose of a ketone supplement (25 g of ketones from D-beta-hydroxybutyric acid and R-1,3-butanediol) or placebo 30 minutes before an oral alcohol dose (0.25 g/kg for women, 0.31 g/kg for men). In a parallel study, 8 Wistar rats received the ketone supplement (0.42 g ketones/kg), water or allulose before alcohol (0.8 g/kg). In humans, the supplement significantly blunted breath alcohol concentration and blood alcohol levels, reduced ratings of alcohol liking and wanting more, and increased disliking of alcohol. In rats, the supplement reduced blood alcohol levels more than allulose or water.