Scientists have genetically engineered a probiotic that could prevent hangovers and protect the liver.  

The pill produces an enzyme that makes you recover from alcohol more quickly with fewer associated health problems. 

In a study published by researchers at Chinese Academy of Science’s Institute of Zoology, they said the pill “prolonged the alcohol tolerance time and shortened the recovery time after acute alcohol challenge” among mice in experiments.  

Testing on three groups of five mice, the experiment found that mice with no treatment became drunk within 20 minutes and were unable to turn themselves over.  

In the group of mice that received the anti-hangover enzyme, half were still able to turn themselves over an hour after alcohol exposure and a quarter never lost their ability to turn themselves over. 

The blood pressure of the mice also fell quicker when they took the pill. 

Although the probiotic hasn’t yet been tested on humans, it could present a new way to reduce alcohol-induced health problems, and liver problems in general. 

The researchers said alcohol plays an important role in “medical treatment, culture, and social interaction” - but excessive intake will lead to “serious damage to health”.  

They said: “Reducing alcohol damage is helpful to the health of people with difficulty in abstinence. The engineered probiotic may provide new strategies for treatment and prevention of the negative effects of alcohol.”