The ads on podcasts and social media were tantalising: over-the-counter probiotic supplements that could ward off the worst effects of a hangover if taken before drinking.
As a bourbon reviewer who enjoys the flavour of spirits but has always been easily prone to hangovers, Eric Burke was intrigued. He ordered a few bottles of Pre-Alcohol, a probiotic drink from the company ZBiotics, to test it out.
He downed the mixture of water, salt, flavouring and genetically modified bacteria.
He followed it with a cocktail, a meal and two bourbons, and woke the next morning feeling considerably more chipper than he would have expected.
The next night, emboldened by success, he drank another half-ounce bottle of Pre-Alcohol. He drank a bit more than the previous night – a beer with dinner and then four tumblers of bourbon.