After a long night of bar hopping and drinking, someone may just want to get in their car, drive home and get in bed. But they may also know that getting behind the wheel in this case could put them at risk of a drunk driving charge.
Instead, they decide to order some food to sober up before heading home. However, can this really help lower a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC)?
Eating to sober up is a myth
According to a study by the National Library of Medicine, eating before or during a drinking session can help slow the body’s absorption of alcohol. However, food does not reduce how much BAC can peak in your system.
If someone ate a heavy meal after a night out, their blood alcohol content would remain the same even if it made them feel better. If they decided to drive home but the police pulled them over and subjected them to a breath test, the cops could charge them with drunk driving.
Only time can reliably lower BAC
The reality is that time is the only variable that can reliably lower someone’s BAC. How long it takes for BAC to drop really depends on how much alcohol and drinks a person had on a given night.
Is there anything a driver can do to avoid putting themselves in danger of drunk driving?
What you can do to avoid drunk driving
It is still possible for someone to enjoy a night out with friends and not have to worry about drunk driving. They could:
- Pick a designated driver
- Leave their car at home
- Take a cab or ride-hailing service to and from a venue
- Decide on a venue that is a walkable distance from their home
- Wait several hours after a drinking session to sober up before driving home
It is important to be aware that eating does not lower a person’s BAC but it can slow down how quickly someone gets intoxicated. Drivers can take steps which may protect them from drunk driving.