Can drinking alcohol prevent food poisoning?

Alcohol's antibacterial properties are limited and not strong enough to neutralise dangerous bacteria.

There is a notion that drinking alcohol after consuming food that is purportedly not stored well or prepared in unhygienic conditions can mitigate some harmful effects due to food poisoning.

This is based on the belief that, for hand sanitisation, alcohol-based solutions are used. So, people started believing that drinking alcohol after food consumption can kill bacteria in the food, and some studies also claimed the same.

The idea that drinking alcohol can prevent food poisoning is a common misconception with no scientific backing. Research consistently shows that alcohol consumption, whether before or after a meal, is not a health boon and does not offer protection against foodborne illnesses.

Drinking alcohol to prevent food-borne infections causes more harm than good, because there are so many ill effects associated with alcohol intake, like habituation and liver and pancreas-related issues, especially if people are obese and diabetic.

Alcohol's antibacterial properties are limited and not strong enough to neutralise dangerous bacteria. Relying on it to prevent food poisoning can give a false sense of security and delay seeking proper medical treatment. Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, leading to more issues.

Alcohol can irritate the gastrointestinal tract, potentially worsening symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. It may also impair the body's ability to rehydrate, which is crucial during food poisoning.