It’s a story you could barley believe, but an American man has given a whole new meaning to the term beer belly.
We never knew that auto-brewery syndrome existed, a rare condition that can see a person experience the same sensations as getting drunk, but you learn something new everyday.
A 61 year-old Texan man claimed to be feeling drunk despite the fact he doesn’t drink alcohol and when he was monitored in hospital, his blood alcohol levels were seen to be rising. In fact the tests showed that he was five times over the legal limit but claimed he hadn’t touched a drop. But it all comes down to the condition that mimics the signs of intoxication.
What in effect happens is that the man’s stomach turns starchy food like bread and pasta into ‘beer’ as his belly produces brewer’s yeast that goes into his blood stream, creating the same effect as beer.
The condition caused his family a great deal of concern, so much so that his wife even purchased a breathalyser before they discovered the root of the cause. He is now on a low-carbohydrate diet and medication to keep his alcohol levels down.
We wish him all the best in his pursuit of hoppyness and sobriety.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
