Can Ketone Breath Meter Detect Alcohol?

Ketone breath meters, alcohol, and acetone are connected to each other. And not knowing the nuances may get you in trouble.

In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between acetone and alcohol and what you need to know.

• Can ketone breath meters detect alcohol?
• Does alcohol affect ketone breath meters?
• Can an alcohol breathalyzer detect ketones?
• Can ketones make you smell like alcohol?

Can Ketone Breath Meter Detect Alcohol?

Yes, a ketone breath meter can detect the presence of alcohol in your breath. But it doesn’t measure the alcohol level like alcohol breathalyzers do. (1)

Once the keto breath meter detects alcohol, it usually shows extremely high results or might even go off the scale, showing an error. 

This happens because the ketone sensor is very sensitive and can pick up on volatile compounds like alcohol. However, it’s not designed for it specifically.

So, if you’ve had a drink or two, even the night before, and there’s still some residual alcohol in your mouth or on your breath, the meter might give off some erratic results. 

Does Alcohol Affect Ketone Breath Meters?

Yes, alcohol can indeed affect ketone breath meters. These devices are super sensitive and can pick up on various substances, not just ketones. (2)

This is what we call “cross-interference”. Because of this, alcohol detection can cause readings to go a bit haywire. 

Even a small amount of alcohol on your breath can lead to false high readings. 

This doesn’t just apply to alcoholic beverages but also to other products with a strong minty taste or smell, like mouthwash.

If you’re not careful, the alcohol could even damage or break the ketone sensor. So, be sure to avoid alcohol before using a ketone breath meter. 

Can An Alcohol Breathalyzer Detect Ketones?

No, alcohol breathalyzers cannot detect ketone bodies. However, some older and more simplistic DUI breath testing instruments may give false-positive breath-alcohol results for someone in deep ketosis. (3)

This happens because ketosis causes your body to excrete excess ketones through urine and breath. Breath ketones, or acetone, are broken down into isopropanol, which is an alcohol.

That’s why, in some cases, older simplistic alcohol breathalyzers that use electrochemical testing could not distinguish between isopropanol and drinking alcohol. 

This is a technical error that may cause some people to test above the legal limit on a DUI breathalyzer test, even if they didn’t consume any alcohol at all.

Can Ketones Make You Smell Like Alcohol?

Yes, ketones can make you smell like alcohol. The fruity or sweet-smelling odor is caused by the presence of ketones, particularly acetone. This phenomenon is often referred to as “keto breath” or “dragon breath.” (4)

During ketosis, when the body is burning fat for fuel, it produces ketone bodies, including acetone. Acetone is one of the ketones that can be present in the breath.

Some of the acetone produced in the body is exhaled through the breath. As a result, the presence of acetone in the breath can create a distinct odor.

Acetone has a sweet, fruity aroma that may be reminiscent of the smell of alcohol. This similarity in odor can sometimes lead to confusion.

It’s important to note that while ketosis breath can have a scent similar to alcohol, it is not an indicator of alcohol consumption. Ketosis breath is a natural result of the metabolic process during ketosis and is unrelated to alcohol intake.