Efficacy and Safety of Wilac L Probiotic Complex Isolated from Kimchi on the Regulation of Alcohol and Acetaldehyde Metabolism in Humans

Alcohol-related hangovers impact both physical and mental wellness, largely due to acetaldehyde levels produced through alcohol metabolism. The present study investigated the efficacy and safety of the Wilac L probiotic complex (<i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i> WiKim0168 and <i>Leuconostoc mesenteroides</i> WiKim0172 isolated from kimchi) in improving hangovers post-alcohol consumption. This study was conducted as a randomized, double-blind, crossover placebo-controlled clinical trial from August 2023 to February 2024. Subjects (<i>n</i> = 26) were randomized into six test groups consuming three products, the Wilac L probiotic complex, Wilac L35 (Wilac L probiotic complex with <i>Pyrus pyrifolia</i> Nakai), or placebo, in different orders with crossover after a wash-out interval of 7-10 days. Blood alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations were measured 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 15 h after alcohol consumption. The blood acetaldehyde levels measured with Wilac L probiotic complex supplementation were significantly lower than the control at 0.25 (<i>p</i> = 0.0381), 0.5 (<i>p</i> = 0.0498), and 1 h (<i>p</i> = 0.0260) post-consumption. The blood acetaldehyde levels after Wilac L35 consumption compared to the control are significant at 0.25 (<i>p</i> = 0.0115), 0.5 (<i>p</i> = 0.0054), 1 (<i>p</i> = 0.0285), 2 (<i>p</i> = 0.0113), and 6 h (<i>p</i> = 0.0287) post-consumption. No significant adverse events were reported. The Wilac L probiotic complex is associated with decreased blood acetaldehyde levels and improved subjective hangover symptoms.