Alcohol is not a nutrient, it is a general term used to describe a group of organic chemicals with common properties. It is a clear volatile liquid that burns easily. It has a slight characteristic odour and is very soluble in water.
When looking at it physiologically (how it functions in the body) it is a sedative and central nervous system depressant. When alcohol is consumed, it passes down the oesophagus (food pipe), through the stomach and into the small intestine. Nearly all the alcohol ingested is metabolized (broken down) in the liver, but a small amount remains unmetabolized and can be measured in breath. The lungs exhale 5 percent of alcohol, which can be detected by devices such as Breathalyzer. Alcohol is also eliminated through sweat, feces, breast milk, and saliva.
The liver can metabolize only a limited amount of alcohol per hour, no matter how much is consumed. A healthy person can eliminate ½ ounce (15 milliliters) of alcohol per hour. Alcohol is metabolized more slowly than it is absorbed, and it takes about one hour to metabolize one standard drink. Drinking slowly can help to prevent the accumulation of alcohol in the body, and in-turn prevent intoxication.
Factors Influencing Absorption and Metabolism
Food – Presence of food in the stomach slows absorption of alcohol. Dietary fat delays emptying time of the stomach and consequently slows absorption of alcohol.
Gender – Men and women absorb and metabolize alcohol differently. Women have high blood alcohol content (BAC) after consuming the same amount of alcohol as men. A woman absorbs 30 percent more alcohol into her blood stream than does a man of the same weight. One drink for a woman could potentially have the same effect as two drinks for a man. Women are also more susceptible to alcohol liver disease, heart muscle damage, and brain damage. These differences can be attributed to smaller amounts of body water in women's bodies and a lower activity of the enzyme which acts on alcohol in the stomach (alcohol dehydrogenase), causing more of the ingested alcohol to reach the blood.
Effects of Acohol
Because it is distributed so quickly and thoroughly in the body, alcohol rapidly affects the central nervous system. If a large amoun of alcohol is consumed over a short period of time, a person may lose consciousness or even die.
Alcohol and Medication – the use of prescription or over-the-counter medications can increase the effects of alcohol.
Alcohol and Urine Output – Alcohol blocks the antidiurectic hormone (ADH), which is responsible for regulating urine production. ADH works by causing the kidneys to conserve fluids. When this hormone is blocked, urine output increases considerably because the kidneys are not properly absorbing fluids. This leads to significant water loss and eventually dehydration.
Impact of Alcohol on Nutrition – If you are a light drinker, in good health and otherwise well nourished, the occasional consumption of alcohol will perhaps have little effect on your nutritional status. The biggest risk to you will come from the additional calories that alcohol provides, which may promote unwanted weight gain.
Health Benefits of Alcohol – Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol appears to be safe for healthy people who do not have alcohol abuse or dependency problems.
People who have one to two drinks daily have lower mortality rates than non-drinkers. Alcohol like any other drug has a beneficial dose and a level that will cause harm.
Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health – Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. The protective effect of alcohol is the result of increased levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol. Alcohol also inhibits blood from forming clots, reducing the risk of death from heart attack.
Personal Nutrition – Marie A. Boyle, Sara Long.
When looking at it physiologically (how it functions in the body) it is a sedative and central nervous system depressant. When alcohol is consumed, it passes down the oesophagus (food pipe), through the stomach and into the small intestine. Nearly all the alcohol ingested is metabolized (broken down) in the liver, but a small amount remains unmetabolized and can be measured in breath. The lungs exhale 5 percent of alcohol, which can be detected by devices such as Breathalyzer. Alcohol is also eliminated through sweat, feces, breast milk, and saliva.
The liver can metabolize only a limited amount of alcohol per hour, no matter how much is consumed. A healthy person can eliminate ½ ounce (15 milliliters) of alcohol per hour. Alcohol is metabolized more slowly than it is absorbed, and it takes about one hour to metabolize one standard drink. Drinking slowly can help to prevent the accumulation of alcohol in the body, and in-turn prevent intoxication.
Factors Influencing Absorption and Metabolism
Food – Presence of food in the stomach slows absorption of alcohol. Dietary fat delays emptying time of the stomach and consequently slows absorption of alcohol.
Gender – Men and women absorb and metabolize alcohol differently. Women have high blood alcohol content (BAC) after consuming the same amount of alcohol as men. A woman absorbs 30 percent more alcohol into her blood stream than does a man of the same weight. One drink for a woman could potentially have the same effect as two drinks for a man. Women are also more susceptible to alcohol liver disease, heart muscle damage, and brain damage. These differences can be attributed to smaller amounts of body water in women's bodies and a lower activity of the enzyme which acts on alcohol in the stomach (alcohol dehydrogenase), causing more of the ingested alcohol to reach the blood.
Effects of Acohol
Because it is distributed so quickly and thoroughly in the body, alcohol rapidly affects the central nervous system. If a large amoun of alcohol is consumed over a short period of time, a person may lose consciousness or even die.
Alcohol and Medication – the use of prescription or over-the-counter medications can increase the effects of alcohol.
Alcohol and Urine Output – Alcohol blocks the antidiurectic hormone (ADH), which is responsible for regulating urine production. ADH works by causing the kidneys to conserve fluids. When this hormone is blocked, urine output increases considerably because the kidneys are not properly absorbing fluids. This leads to significant water loss and eventually dehydration.
Impact of Alcohol on Nutrition – If you are a light drinker, in good health and otherwise well nourished, the occasional consumption of alcohol will perhaps have little effect on your nutritional status. The biggest risk to you will come from the additional calories that alcohol provides, which may promote unwanted weight gain.
Health Benefits of Alcohol – Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol appears to be safe for healthy people who do not have alcohol abuse or dependency problems.
People who have one to two drinks daily have lower mortality rates than non-drinkers. Alcohol like any other drug has a beneficial dose and a level that will cause harm.
Alcohol and Cardiovascular Health – Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. The protective effect of alcohol is the result of increased levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol. Alcohol also inhibits blood from forming clots, reducing the risk of death from heart attack.
Personal Nutrition – Marie A. Boyle, Sara Long.
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