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ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF ALCOHOL-CONTAINING FOOD AND MEDICATION ON THE BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER

MARLYN DIAN LAKSITORINI ^1,3*, AGUSTINA SETIAWATI 2

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Individuals are exposed to alcohol in their daily lives through beverages and unintentional intake while consuming alcohol- containing food and medication. Intentional alcohol ingestion is achieved through moderate, binge, and heavy alcohol drink- ing. In contrast, unintentional alcohol exposure can be a result of the consumption of alcohol-containing medication, food, and personal care. To date, studies reporting the blood alcohol concentration post-consumption of those products are very limited. On the other hand, alcohol exerts negative impacts on the central nervous system by affecting neurotransmission and changing the composition of the brain's biochemical moieties. Many studies have examined the effect of alcohol on the CNS. However, the research question of when alcohol starts showing a deleterious effect on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has not been reviewed. This review aims to dissect how much and at what frequency alcohol consumption will induce BBB dysfunc- tion. The food, medicine, and household products that contained alcohol were also summarized along with their potential blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of individuals post-product consumption. This review aims to contribute to greater awareness among researchers and authorities to improve consumers’ safety.