Food (particularly milk) may reduce the absorption of
alcohol. Foods rich in serotonin (e.g. bananas, pineapples) taken with
alcohol may produce adverse effects such as
diarrhoea and headache. A disulfiram-like reaction can occur if
alcohol is taken up to 24 hours after eating the smooth ink(y) caps
fungus (Coprinus atramentarius) or certain other edible fungi.
Whether the interaction leading to reduced
alcohol absorption can be regarded as advantageous or undesirable is a moot point. The intensity of the disulfiram-like reaction depends upon the quantity of
fungus and
alcohol consumed, and the time interval between them. However, reports of this reaction in the medical literature are few and far between. Treatment does not normally appear to be necessary.