How someone’s diet could lead to a DUI charge

On Behalf of | Jan 26, 2025 | Blood Alcohol Tests

What humans eat can have a direct impact on their appearance, health and quality of life. People are often willing to embrace major dietary changes to improve their health or lose weight. There have been many fad diets over the years that people have embraced to improve their health. Most of those diets are hard to maintain in the long run.

There are also scenarios in which doctors may recommend specialized diets. People on the cusp of type 2 diabetes and those dealing with inflammatory issues are among those who might want to make adjustments to their eating habits. One of the more popular diets currently recommended for medical purposes and weight loss could also potentially put people at heightened risk of facing driving under the influence (DUI) charges due to inaccurate breath test results.

The keto diet affects body chemistry

The very name of the keto diet provides insight into why it could put an individual at risk of DUI charges. The purpose of the keto diet is to push the human body into a state of ketoacidosis, which people may also refer to as ketosis.

Many people experience ketosis when they have unmanaged blood sugar issues. People can replicate the chemical status of ketoacidosis with dietary practices. The keto diet limits carbohydrate intake to help the body burn fat.

When people burn fat, one of the ways that they eliminate the waste products generated by that metabolic process is through respiration. They literally breathe out chemical compounds produced by their bodies burning fat. One of the chemicals present in unusually high levels in an individual’s breath while on the keto diet is acetone.

Acetone belongs to the same chemical group as alcohol, which means that people can fail breath tests because of acetone in their lungs. Individuals following a keto diet could potentially fail a breath test even though they have had nothing to drink. They may then need to provide medical documentation or personal records showing their dietary habits to help fight against the charges they face.

Understanding the health issues and personal choices that may have contributed to DUI charges can help people prepare a defense strategy. Specialized diets are one of several medical factors that could lead to false positive breath test results and a solid defensive response to allegations of impaired driving.

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