From the Guidelines
Alcohol consumption is not an effective or safe method to kill parasites in the human body. While alcohol can kill some microorganisms on surfaces (as a disinfectant), drinking alcohol does not target parasitic infections within the body. For treating parasitic infections, proper antiparasitic medications prescribed by healthcare providers are necessary. Common antiparasitic drugs include metronidazole for giardiasis, albendazole or mebendazole for intestinal worms, and praziquantel for flukes and tapeworms. These medications are specifically designed to target parasites at effective concentrations without harming human cells. Consuming alcohol to treat parasites can be dangerous as it may damage your liver and other organs, interact negatively with proper medications, and provide a false sense of security while the parasitic infection continues untreated. If you suspect a parasitic infection, you should seek medical attention for proper diagnosis through stool tests or blood work, followed by appropriate treatment with proven antiparasitic medications.
The provided evidence 1 focuses on guidelines for preventing opportunistic infections in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus and does not directly address the effectiveness of alcohol in killing parasites. However, it does mention that other pasteurized beverages and beers are considered safe to drink, implying that alcohol itself is not harmful in this context but also does not provide any benefit in treating parasitic infections.
Key points to consider:
- Alcohol is not a recommended treatment for parasitic infections
- Antiparasitic medications are the standard treatment for parasitic infections
- Consuming alcohol can have negative effects on the body, especially when taken in excess or in combination with other medications
- Proper diagnosis through medical testing is necessary to determine the appropriate treatment for a parasitic infection.
In real-life clinical practice, the focus should always be on evidence-based treatments that prioritize the patient's safety and well-being, and in the case of parasitic infections, this means using proven antiparasitic medications rather than relying on unproven methods like alcohol consumption.
From the Research
Effect of Alcohol on Parasites
- Alcohol consumption has been studied for its potential to kill parasites, with varying results depending on the type of parasite and the concentration of alcohol.
- A study published in 2015 found that ethanol and isopropanol in concentrations present in hand sanitizers can reduce excystation of Giardia and Entamoeba and eliminate oral infectivity of Giardia cysts in gerbils 2.
- Another study from 2000 found that ethanol can inhibit the growth of Plasmodium falciparum, the malaria parasite, with significant growth inhibition observed at concentrations of 17 mM (0.08%) and 85 mM (0.39%) ethanol 3.
Parasite Load and Alcohol Intake
- A 2020 study found that Strongyloides stercoralis infection was more frequent in alcoholic patients, and that alcohol intake was positively associated with parasite load 4.
- However, this study suggests that alcohol intake may not kill the parasites, but rather increase the parasite load.
Excystation of Parasites
- A 2013 study found that alcohol and alkalosis can enhance excystation of Opisthorchis viverrini metacercariae, which can lead to the early development of parasites in the hepatobiliary system 5.
- This study suggests that drinking alcohol while consuming raw fish may increase the risk of infection with Opisthorchis viverrini.
Treatment of Parasitic Infections
- Albendazole and mebendazole are broad-spectrum anthelmintics that are commonly used to treat parasitic infections, including intestinal nematode infections and tissue nematode/cestode infections 6.
- However, these drugs are not typically used to treat parasitic infections caused by protozoa, and alcohol consumption is not a recommended treatment for parasitic infections.