Fit Healthy Momma Rating: 9.3/10
ZBiotics is a probiotic drink designed to be taken before consuming alcohol so that you can avoid the dreaded next-day. This genetically engineered, cutting-edge product has been lab tested and verified to act as your liver, breaking down acetaldehyde, but inside your gut where the root cause of your next-day upset is.
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Alcohol, as defined by the CDC is; “Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches.
But translated to real-world talk, alcohol is the fun-inducing, party-starting, conversation-gelling, way to take the edge off the day or week. Alcohol has been consumed for various reasons for thousands of years, dating way back to 7,000 B.C. so to say it’s been a part of our culture for a long time would be an understatement.
We all know that there’s a very fine line between healthy, occasional alcohol consumption and more serious addictions and disorders. But research shows that moderate alcohol consumption is often perfectly healthy and may even be good for your heart and circulatory system.
The problem that most of us run into, especially as we age, is the after affects that alcohol produces. You know, when you wake up in the morning after a night of drinking and feel like you were hit by a train? Yea, those kinds of feelings aren’t conducive to producing the next day.
But what if you could avoid feeling cruddy that day after drinking by taking a designated probiotic that’s designed specifically to break down and eliminate the acetaldehyde in your gut that’s responsible for the rough post-drinking feelings you get? Well, it looks like that’s a very real possibility thanks to ZBiotics and its innovative science.
In this article, we took a deep dive into ZBiotics, and the science behind it, and tried it for ourselves to determine whether or not this probiotic can truly help with those ill feelings the day after drinking. I also consulted with Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, FACEP, FUHM, FACMT Medical Toxicologist, Co-Medical Director, and Interim Executive Director National Capital Poison Center to get her take.
Brief Science of Alcohol and Its Effects
When you drink, alcohol produces a variety of small molecules and cellular responses that create a number of issues for your body. These issues combined are what we all understand to be the after effects of alcohol. The common symptoms associated with post-drinks include:
- Poor sleep
- Mild dehydration
- Microbiome perturbation
- Gut Irritation
- Acetaldehyde buildup
What Causes the Ill Feelings the Day After Drinking?
According to Dr. Johnson-Arbor, the feelings we get after drinking include “unpleasant signs and symptoms, including headache, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue, which can occur after alcohol consumption. The exact cause of these symptoms is unknown. We know that the symptom we experience come after alcohol consumption and not during it, so some scientists believe that metabolites or breakdown products of alcohol may play more instrumental roles in post drinking symptoms development than alcohol itself.”
What Is Acetaldehyde?
Acetaldehyde is the toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism and it wreaks havoc on your body. It’s the result of your body breaking down alcohol. Acetaldehyde actually damages your DNA and prevents your body from having the ability to repair the damage.
Speaking with Dr. Johnson-Arbor, she shared that “As a breakdown product of alcohol, acetaldehyde may be a significant factor in the development of day-after symptoms. Some people experience facial flushing, heart palpitations, and fatigue after drinking alcohol. This flushing response” is believed to be related to a genetic alteration that causes a buildup of acetaldehyde in the body."
How Is It Created in the Body?
Your liver digests alcohol using two steps. First, it converts alcohol to acetaldehyde. Then, it converts acetaldehyde to a different chemical called acetate, which is essentially vinegar. Both of these steps require a different enzyme or functional molecule created by your liver.
Thanks to these steps, nearly all the alcohol you drink are absorbed into your bloodstream and metabolized by your liver into acetate. But, some of the alcohol you drink doesn’t ever make it to your liver. Instead, it’s metabolized in your gut. The gut microbes that exist there convert alcohol into acetaldehyde, where far less of it gets converted into acetate (which is perfectly harmless).
This causes a buildup of acetaldehyde which is likely the primary cause of your unwanted symptoms. Unfortunately, your body isn’t naturally good at breaking down acetaldehyde in your gut, and hydrating doesn’t solve the problem either. Our bodies simply were not designed to handle an abundance of acetaldehyde.
ZBiotics has created a probiotic that’s engineered to break down acetaldehyde in your gut.
Summarizing My ZBiotics Review
Product: | ZBiotics - a Pre-Alcohol Probiotic |
Best for: | Those who want to avoid the next day effects of drinking |
When to take it: | For best results, take ZBiotics before drinking alcohol |
How it works: | Have a ZBiotics, Drink Responsibly, Enjoy Tomorrow! |
Pricing: | 3-pack: $36, 6-pack: $60, 12-pack: $108 (Use code FHM for 10% off extra savings) |
Product page: | |
Avg. User Rating: | 4.5/5 (Over 500,000 bottles consumed) |
FHM Rating: | 9.3/10 |
What Is ZBiotics?
ZBiotics is a patented, genetically engineered probiotic that acts similarly to your liver in that it helps you break down the components of alcohol that are the cause of you feeling not too hot the day after drinking. Specifically, ZBiotics break down acetaldehyde, the main culprit when it comes to those icky next day feelings.
Engineered by a team of Ph.D. microbiologists, ZBiotics is a pre-alcohol probiotic drink that is the first and only product of its kind designed to break down acetaldehyde so that you can enjoy drinks in moderation without the fear of having a rough day after.
Pros
- Proven to break down acetaldehyde, the byproduct of alcohol that causes a ill feelings the day after drinking
- Helps to make the day after drinking bearable
- Easy to drink
- Designed by Ph.D. Microbiologists
- Patented technology
- Rigorously tested for safety and efficacy
- FDA compliant
- Vegan
- Sugar-free
- Calorie-free
- No refrigeration required
- TSA-friendly
Cons
- Heavy or binge-drinkers might feel encouraged to drink more
- The cost per bottle can get high if you consume it frequently
- Some people are uncomfortable with genetically engineered production (despite being completely safe)
How Does it Work?
ZBiotics was engineered to replicate the natural process of your liver, but to do so in your gut. For reference, your liver breaks down, balances, and makes the nutrients while also metabolizing drugs into forms that are easier for your body or that are nontoxic to your body.
The ZBiotics team took a normal probiotic bacteria that we already eat every day and they bioengineered it to produce the same type of enzyme that your liver produces. This particular enzyme breaks down acetaldehyde, which is the unwanted byproduct of alcohol that forms in your gut when you’re consuming it.
Because your liver does not have access to your gut, you would traditionally need to wait for the acetaldehyde to make it to your liver before it’s able to be broken down and digested. With ZBiotics added directly to your gut, you’re effectively augmenting your body’s natural ability to digest acetaldehyde while you drink and while you sleep. This process leads to a much smoother, much more productive next day.
When Do You Take ZBiotics?
ZBiotics are pre-alcohol probiotics, so they should be taken prior to drinking any alcohol. Essentially, the earlier the better as the probiotics need some time to “wake up” in your gut. What this looks like for most people is taking ZBiotics just before going out or right before your first drink of the day.
That said, ZBiotics should be active if you drink it any time during the day or evening, so even if you’ve already had a drink or two before you remember, you’re still going to experience the positive benefits of ZBiotics.
The only time that ZBiotics isn’t likely to be effective is if you take it the morning after drinking. At that point, the damage, so to speak, has already been done.
How Long Does it Last?
Users are directed to take 1 bottle of ZBiotics before drinking and it will cover them for a total of 18 hours. Each bottle will have you covered for an entire day, so even if you start the day with a boozy brunch and keep the party going well into the evening, your one dose will suffice.
How Do You Drink It?
Taking ZBiotics before having a couple of drinks is very simple:
- Step 1: Drink ZBiotics, preferably before you start drinking
- Step 2: Enjoy your evening
- Step 3: Get to sleep
- Step 4: Wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day
The probiotics in ZBiotics are designed to activate while you drink and while you’re asleep, helping your body to digest the acetaldehyde as its passing through your gut. Then, it will simply exit your body within a day or two, all without making an impact on your microbiome.
What Does ZBiotics Taste Like?
Having tried ZBiotics for myself, the best way I can describe the flavor is earthy, but very mild and with a slightly bitter aftertaste. It’s not unpleasant but also not a drink you’ll likely be craving. Taking ZBiotics is similar to taking a medication - it doesn’t taste the best, but you gulp it down because you know it’s going to be good for you.
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Does It Affect Your Intoxication Level?
No, ZBiotics does not affect your level of intoxication. It does not decrease your blood alcohol level nor make alcohol any safer. Alcohol, even when taking ZBiotics, still has the same effects on the body, which is why it’s vital that you drink responsibly.
Is ZBiotics Safe?
Yes, ZBiotics is 100% safe as it is simply a combination of a natural good bacteria that your body is already familiar with and an enzyme that your liver already makes. ZBiotics was adapted to pass straight through your body, without seeding your gut or augmenting your microbiome.
Furthermore, ZBiotics has been meticulously tested and verified through years of research and lab testing. Plus, it’s been reviewed by America’s top food toxicologists. Its safety and marketability are fully FDA-compliant and ZBiotics makes all its testing data publicly available in the peer-reviewed Journal of Toxicology.
Is ZBiotics Genetically Engineered? What Does That Mean?
Yes, ZBiotics’s primary ingredient, Bacillus subtilis ZB183™, was created using genetic engineering. What this means is that they produced in a lab the enzyme known as acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which is what helps to break down the acetaldehyde in your gut that results from the breakdown of alcohol.
Genetic engineering is a tool that scientists use to make new products that can help to improve our lives. The tool itself does not carry any inherent risks. Still, the resulting products that are created must be subjected to evaluation for safety, just like any other product sold for human consumption. ZBiotics has done its due diligence to ensure that its product is safe and effective.
Who Should Try ZBiotics?
ZBiotics might be a good choice for anyone who has the desire to enjoy a few drinks here and there without the fear that they will be completely unproductive the next day. For anyone who feels as though they feel ill or off after even one drink, taking ZBiotics before drinking can be a game changer.
Who Shouldn’t?
If someone has a serious drinking problem, taking ZBiotics does not excuse it and should not be taken daily as it’s not addressing the root problem and it may even be encouraging binge drinking episodes. If you have an issue with binge drinking, seeking help through the proper channels is recommended.
Cost and Where to Buy
ZBiotics can be purchased in a 3,6, or 12-pack:
ZBiotics | Price | Store |
|---|---|---|
3-pack: | $36 ($12/bottle) | |
6-pack: | $60 ($10/bottle) | |
12-pack: | $108 ($9/bottle) |
The more you buy, the more you save. ZBiotics is exclusively available through the brand’s official website.
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Real Customer Ratings and Reviews: Is ZBiotics Helping People Skip Day After Drinking Woes?
On the ZBiotics reviews page of their website, they claimed to have over 500,000 bottles consumed and an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. There are many video testimonials you can buzz through that highlight the customer's experience using ZBiotics on a very special occasion.
Overall, most people who use ZBiotics have noticed no post-drink illness the next day after drinking moderately, which could be between 1-4 drinks. To many of us who have used it, or are about to use it, it is truly a lifesaver.
Read all customer reviews of ZBiotics here!
Final Thoughts: Should You Try ZBiotics For Warding Off Post-Drinking Sickness?
If you are an occasional alcohol drinker who would like to enjoy alcohol responsibly and in moderation and to do so without the fear of feeling not so hot the next day, then yes, ZBiotics is 100% worth trying. For those who drink often and heavily, ZBiotics is not going to be the answer to your problems.
Personally, I drink very rarely these days, and to be honest, part of the reason why is that even 1 glass of wine has the potential to give me a headache and a hungover feeling the next day. While I know that the only way to avoid feeling ill is to abstain from alcohol, every once in a while an occasion arises where I want to enjoy a drink, and when that happens, taking ZBiotics beforehand is my go-to to ensure I can get up and enjoy every once of the next day.
If you have the desire to enjoy a few drinks here and there without feeling completely out of sorts the next day, I highly recommend giving ZBiotics a try.
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