This Beverage Claims to Lower Blood Alcohol Levels in 30 Minutes—How Effective Is It Really?

Entering the wellness space is Sure Shot—a functional beverage designed to lower blood alcohol concentration (or BAC) in as little as 30 minutes. That's a pretty big claim. And because Sure Shot is considered a supplement, it doesn't have to prove these claims to be true before it's sold, nor does the FDA approve them.

So we decided to do our own research: We asked a doctor and three food scientists to weigh in on whether the drink can actually do what it claims based on its ingredients. Here’s what they had to say.

Related Stories

{{ truncate(post.title, 12) }}

{{post.sponsorText}}

What is Sure Shot?

Sure Shot is a drink formulated to help people effectively manage alcohol consumption, Jarrett Boon, CEO of Sure Shot, tells Well+Good.

“Sure Shot provides a revolutionary solution for those who want to enjoy social drinking while maintaining control over their alcohol intake,” Boon says. “By aiding in the rapid reduction of blood alcohol levels, Sure Shot helps people feel better faster, allowing them to continue their day or night without the lingering effects of alcohol.”

The company does want to make one thing clear: The beverage should absolutely not be used in order to operate a vehicle while under the influence. “We envision Sure Shot to play a crucial role in the larger conversation of alcohol misuse and promoting moderation, encouraging more responsible drinking behaviors,” Boon says.

How exactly does it work?

According to Sure Shot reps, the drink comes in a 4-ounce serving and is made with 28 ingredients—including vitamins, minerals, and nootropics¹ (i.e., compounds that claim to enhance brain function). The company claims you'll feel the effects of the drink (namely, a "sharper mind and body") in just 30 minutes.

“You’ll start by noticing your awareness, focus, concentration, and mental alertness increase,” David Sandler, COO and co-inventor of Sure Shot, tells Well+Good.

He continues: “Sure Shot creates a protective barrier in the gut that helps reduce the continued build of alcohol in the blood. Additionally, Sure Shot helps rapidly reduce alcohol through the metabolism and assists in the reduction of acetaldehyde buildup (the toxins that cause the nasty next-day feeling of a hangover). Lastly, Sure Shot replenishes the body with key electrolytes and vitamins that are typically lost during alcohol consumption.”

A breakdown of the ingredients

We tapped food scientists to explain the function of key ingredients in Sure Shot and how they might contribute to its effectiveness (or not).

“Alcohol has several detrimental effects on the body when consumed in excess, including dehydration, mental fatigue, and liver inflammation,” says Makenzie Jackson, MS, a food scientist. "This product is a cocktail of various supplements that seem to address common side effects of drinking alcohol. Overall, the formulation looks like it is designed to target energy levels, support metabolism, support hydration, and decrease inflammation.”

Here’s a bit about each key ingredient and their function:

• N-acetyl cysteine (NAC): NAC is a precursor to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps the liver detoxify harmful substances, including alcohol. While it doesn’t directly reduce BAC, it can aid in the metabolism of alcohol and protect liver cells from damage, per Mount Sinai.

• Milk thistle: This herb is known for supporting liver health and may help protect liver cells from damage, especially after alcohol consumption, per the Mayo Clinic.

• Dandelion extract: Dandelion has traditionally been used to support liver and digestive health, according to Mount Sinai. It might aid in detoxifying the body and reducing hangover symptoms.

• Caffeine and theobromine: These stimulants can help with alertness and may fight the sedative effects of alcohol, but they do not reduce BAC. But they can give a temporary sense of being more awake, Jackson says.

• Citicoline: Citicoline supports cognitive function, so it may help with mental energy, Jackson says. But it does not lower BAC.

• Panax ginseng: Also known as "Asian ginseng," this is a root that's said to have possible energy-boosting properties and help mental performance, per Mount Sinai. But its effect on BAC is limited.

• Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12: Supplementing with B vitamins can help with metabolism and energy production to restore what is lost due to alcohol consumption, though it doesn’t lower BAC, Jackson says.

Food scientists Ella Marshall and Natalie Alibrandi, both with Nali Consulting, say these ingredients can support liver health, detoxification, and reduce some of the negative effects of alcohol like brain fog, cognitive impairment, and liver stress. “None of them directly reduce blood alcohol concentration. Only time allows BAC to decrease as your body metabolizes alcohol at a constant rate,” Marshall and Alibrandi say.

"It’s unclear if any of these ingredients significantly speed up alcohol metabolism or help a person sober up more quickly." —Joseph Volpicelli, MD, PhD, neuropsychopharmacologist

Has Sure Shot been tested?

Before hitting the market, Sure Shot spent over a decade in research and development.

“The team intently focused on the precise formula, including finding the correct dose and combination of ingredients, that would successfully reduce blood alcohol content and the toxins associated with the metabolism of alcohol,” Sandler says.

In order to test its effectiveness, the Sure Shot team led double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials on a variety of participants across different age groups, genders, and weights. Results showed alcohol was cleared at a 30 to 50 percent faster rate in participants ages 24 through 46 who drank Sure Shot compared to the placebo. Participants also noted that they felt physically better faster.

But in order to verify these results, it's important to have studies published in reputable journals, too, says Joseph Volpicelli, MD, PhD, neuropsychopharmacologist and executive director of the Institute of Addiction Medicine. “The company refers to data from a clinical research organization, but without a peer-reviewed study, it's difficult to assess the accuracy of these claims,” he adds.

“It’s unclear if any of these ingredients significantly speed up alcohol metabolism or help a person sober up more quickly," Dr. Volpicelli says. "Alcohol metabolism relies on enzymes such as aldehyde dehydrogenase, and it's not evident how or if this drink influences these enzymes. Certain medications, like metadoxine, are known to enhance alcohol metabolism, partly due to its B6 component—one of the ingredients in this drink. Still, there's no clear evidence that Sure Shot has any meaningful effect on sobering up faster.”

How can you lower blood alcohol levels naturally?

Dr. Volpicelli says the best way to lower your BAC is to reduce the amount you drink. "While drinking less concentrated beverages like beer, rather than distilled spirits, can slow alcohol absorption, the most effective and healthiest approach is to drink moderately and manage your alcohol intake," he adds.

If you've had a hard time lowering the amount you drink, some doctors may recommend certain prescription medications to help. Dr. Volpicelli recommends naltrexone to people who need help managing their drinking. "This medicine works by blocking the pleasurable effects of alcohol, making it easier to limit drinking," he says. "Recently, there has been growing interest in using naltrexone for people who are not addicted to alcohol, but who engage in occasional binge drinking."

When taken an hour or two before drinking, naltrexone may help people better control the number of drinks they have, ultimately lowering BAC and promoting healthier drinking habits, Dr. Volpicelli says.

Of course, medication is not right for everyone. If you are concerned about your alcohol or substance misuse, reach out to your doctor who can offer some guidance and support resources.

The bottom line

There's no concrete evidence that Sure Shot can lower your BAC levels in 30 minutes; the only tried-and-true way to lower BAC is with time. (While in the meantime, doing other things like drinking plenty of water, eating some food, and sleeping it off may help reduce hangover symptoms.)

That said, this product is likely safe enough to try if you're looking to manage your hangover symptoms. Just be sure to ask your doctor about it first, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or take medications that could negatively interact with the herbal ingredients in Sure Shot.

And lastly, as the company states, Sure Shot should not be used to get behind the wheel after drinking. It's never, ever safe to drink and drive.

If you're dealing with alcohol or substance misuse disorder, help is available. Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or visit samhsa.gov for more information and resources.

—medically reviewed by Jennifer Logan, MD, MPH