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Deadly drinks?
Experts warn that some showy-looking cocktails can have serious consequences — think more undertaker than hangover.
In fact, there are multiple examples of they key ingredient sending people to the hospital
If you’ve ever seen a fancy drink brimming with what looks like smoke or fog, it likely contains liquid nitrogen, nitrogen gas supercooled into a liquid.
“It is very cold and has to be held in special containers because it actually boils at room temperature. It can cause frostbite when in contact with skin/tissues,” ER doctor and toxicologist Dr. Josh Trebach explained via X.
While liquid nitrogen is routinely added to drinks to create a “smoking” effect, its use in this way requires no training or regulation, and many consumers are unaware of the dangers, including but not limited to stomach perforation and death.
“Some people think it is super cool to put liquid nitrogen into a beverage and watch the fog that comes out of the drink so you can take a pic for your social media… …but not everyone is aware of the risks that come with drinking a drink made with liquid nitrogen,” said Trebach.
Imbibers are supposed to wait for the smoke to completely evaporate before drinking, but servers and bartenders often skip this crucial instruction.
If the drink still has liquid nitrogen while you drink it, it can expand in your stomach when it turns into a gas.
“So if it’s in your stomach, it can expand and cause your stomach to explode,” warned Trebach.
Without immediate surgery, the massive release of gas into the peritoneal cavity causes the abdomen to distend, crushing other organs and causing respiratory failure.
This sudden expansion can also cause internal bleeding, while the extreme cold (approximately -319°F) can freeze tissues, exacerbating the damage.
Trebach’s post includes an X-ray photo taken of an 18-year-old patient who was admitted to the ER after drinking an alcoholic drink containing liquid nitrogen.
The details of her injury were previously published in a case report from Royal Lancaster Infirmary in Lancaster, UK.
Immediately after downing her drink, the patient reported severe abdominal pain and shortness of breath.
Further examination, including a CT scan, revealed that she had a stomach perforation. Doctors performed emergency surgery to address the belly breach.
However, due to necrotic tissue surrounding the site, the surgical team could not safely close the tear and had to resort to a total gastrectomy, removing part of the patient’s stomach and reconnecting the digestive tract to the esophagus.
This case is one of many that find smoking drinks lead to deadly effects.
Just last month, a Moscow man’s stomach was “torn apart” by a liquid nitrogen cocktail consumed during a corporate Christmas party.
And several years ago, a trendy liquid nitrogen-dipped cereal dubbed Dragon’s Breath inspired similar warnings.
“It worries me that people are making these liquid nitrogen drinks or drinking these drinks without being aware that there are risks involved,” said Trebach.
“I personally do not think that it’s worth it and will stick with my pathetic non-fogging beverages. Please be safe!”
