Glutathione

Does glutathione help the body detox?

Updated 10 Nov 2026

Short answer

Glutathione is part of how cells remove harmful substances.[1] For detox, a crossover trial in 40 adults found that a yeast extract with 50 mg of glutathione lowered acetaldehyde, a product of alcohol breakdown, in the blood after drinking. Hangover symptoms did not differ from placebo.[2] Three of the authors worked for Samyang Corp., a food company.[2]

Glutathione into a vein has been used to treat acute poisoning.[3]

Sources (3)

  1. Regulation of glutathione synthesis. Lu SC Mol Aspects Med, 2009. PMID 18601945
  2. Effects of GSH on Alcohol Metabolism and Hangover Improvement in Humans: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Crossover Clinical Trial. Song G, Han H, Park S, Sa S, Chung W, Lee BY Nutrients, 2024. PMID 39408229
  3. Efficacy of glutathione for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: an open-label, single-arm, multicenter, pilot study. Honda Y, Kessoku T, Sumida Y, Kobayashi T, Kato T, Ogawa Y, et al. BMC Gastroenterol, 2017. PMID 28789631

More about glutathione

What is glutathione?Is glutathione absorbed when taken by mouth?Does glutathione work?Do glutathione levels fall with age?Is glutathione safe?Does glutathione lighten skin?

For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.