In theory a high enough alcohol concentration with sufficient exposure to gut or oral tissue could kill bacteria but will in all likelihood also damage the gut lining. It's not advised alcohol be used as a regular disinfectant to treat tummy bugs or throat infections.
Alcohol. Alcohol kills germs. Microbes such as bacteria, viruses and fungi are susceptible to alcohol's germicidal effects. This includes COVID-19-causing virus and influenza viruses.
According to the CDC, you need a concentration of at least 60% alcohol to cause this denaturation to kill germs, with 60% to 90% being the optimal levels. This is why you'll see hand sanitizers such as Purell have a level of 70% ethyl alcohol.
The properties within isopropyl alcohol act are known as antimicrobial which means isopropyl alcohol kills microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, germs) or stops their growth – such as the spread of germs. It kills 99.99% of germs within about 10-30 seconds, making it the perfect sterilisation tool.
70% isopropyl alcohol kills organisms by denaturing their proteins and dissolving their lipids and is effective against most bacteria, fungi and many viruses, but is ineffective against bacterial spores (CDC, 2020).
When 40% alcohol (the same concentration as vodka) was used the effect on inhibiting the growth of these microorganisms was much greater when applied over 15 minutes compared to six minutes. It was determined that 40% alcohol had some ability to kill oral bacteria with an exposure time of at least one minute.
Antibiotics are medicines that help stop infections caused by bacteria. They do this by killing the bacteria or by keeping them from copying themselves or reproducing. The word antibiotic means “against life.” Any drug that kills germs in your body is technically an antibiotic.
Studies in animals and humans confirm that alcohol increases intestinal bacteria (Canesso et al. 2014). This overgrowth may be stimulated directly by alcohol, but some studies suggest that it also could be an indirect byproduct of poor digestive and intestinal function caused by alcohol consumption.
Consuming alcohol will not kill a virus.
Moderate alcohol consumption may provide some health benefits, such as: Reducing your risk of developing and dying of heart disease. Possibly reducing your risk of ischemic stroke (when the arteries to your brain become narrowed or blocked, causing severely reduced blood flow) Possibly reducing your risk of diabetes.
However, wine contains antimicrobial properties that potentially kill bacterial strains responsible for sore throat and dental plaque.
Alcohol-resistant bacteria
faecium is now a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections.
That being said, if you're concerned about your gut health, it's a good idea to steer clear of hard liquor as much as possible. Alcohol in general has a negative effect on beneficial gut bacteria, and generally, the more of it your drink contains, the worse time your gut bacteria are going to have.
Beer is rich in healthy compounds called polyphenols, which reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the gut. This creates a good place for beneficial bacteria to grow, Faria says.
Rum. Rum is also grain-free, which means it's less inflammatory than other choices.
The only way to kill bacteria by temperature is by cooking food at temperatures of 165 degrees or more. Bacteria also die in highly acidic environments like pickle juice.
Extremely hot water of 140 degrees Fahrenheit or more is required to kill bacteria. Most restaurants rely on this method to kill bacteria on dishes and cooking utensils, and clean surfaces as well. Chlorine is also used to kill bacteria. This is why chlorine is a part of the cleaning routine for swimming pools.
Mixtures that contain at least 70% alcohol are best if they can be sourced, and these mixtures can neutralize viruses and other bacteria on a surface if left wet for at least 30 seconds.
Alcohol's Effects on the Immune System
3 If the liver is severely damaged by alcohol, it is less capable of producing these proteins, thereby increasing our susceptibility to bacterial infection. Indeed, bacterial infection is one of the most common complications of severe alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis.
You can buy rubbing alcohol with a concentration of 70% or 99% isopropyl alcohol. Even though you may think the higher concentration is more effective, experts say 70% is actually better for disinfecting. It has more water, which helps it to dissolve more slowly, penetrate cells, and kill bacteria.