Animal Kingdom’s Hidden Booze: Study Reveals Nature’s Secret Drinkers

Veuer

A new study reveals a surprising truth: alcohol consumption isn't just a human pastime. It’s more common in the animal kingdom than we ever imagined. Veuer’s Maria Mercedes Galuppo has the story.

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00:00A new study reveals a surprising truth. Alcohol consumption isn't just a human pastime,

00:05it's more common in the animal kingdom than we ever imagined, reports The Hill.

00:09Ethanol, the alcohol found in fruits and grains, is everywhere,

00:12forming naturally as fruit ripens. As fallen fruit decays, yeast converts sugar into ethanol.

00:18While most fruit has only 1-2% alcohol, similar to kombucha, some, like rotten palm fruit,

00:24can exceed 10%. But even small amounts can leave animals feeling tipsy.

00:28This changes our view. Ethanol isn't just for humans, it's been around for millions of years,

00:33influencing animal behavior. Interestingly, many animals have adapted genes to process

00:38alcohol without getting drunk, allowing them to enjoy the sweet reward of nature

00:42while avoiding predators. But do they seek intoxication? That remains a mystery.

00:46For social animals, a little buzz might enhance bonding. Ethanol could trigger feelings of

00:51relaxation, beneficial for social interactions. As we delve deeper, we may discover that the

00:56world of animals drinking alcohol holds secrets about their social lives we've only begun to

01:00understand. In nature, the line between intoxication and social connection may be thinner than we

01:06thought.

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