Ethanol is an active compound in alcohol. In the gut, enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase breaks down alcohol into acetyldehyde but only a small fraction of alcohol is metabolized here. [1]
Alcohol
absorption starts in the stomach though negligible. Absorption of
alcohol mainly takes place in the duodenum and jejunum accounting for 70
- 80% of the alcohol consumed. If alcohol is taken on an empty stomach,
blood alcohol level peaks after 45 minutes and 90 minutes if alcohol is
taken after ingestion of food. Alcohol may be excreted from the body
unchanged through sweat, breath, urine and the kidneys. Alcohol is also
excreted in breast milk at 10% higher concentration than that in the
blood. [2]
FOOD- people who drink on an empty stomach are more predisposed to the toxic effects of alcohol than people who drink after eating. Alcohol is absorbed nearly three
folds faster than in people who drink after eating. Alcohol is absorbed
from the gastrointestinal tract faster when the stomach is empty. Empty
stomach also enhances faster emptying into the small intestines where
absorption of alcohol is more efficient. This leads to rapid rise in blood alcohol levels and rapid inebriation. The type of food eaten plays a
significant role in alcohol absorption. Foods with delayed stomach
emptying like fatty foods delay alcohol absorption significantly than
foods whose gastric emptying is fast.[1][2]
BODY WEIGHT AND BUILT- I
once worked in a mission hospital and would have a drinking spree over
the weekend in company of three damn friends Alex, Paul, Sylvester and I
(Sam). Alcohol had a big toll on Alex and Sylvester than it had for
Paul. Alex was lean and fatty while Paul and Sylvester were masculine.
Lets see why the alcohol had a toll on our two friends.[1][2]
Individuals
with higher muscle and body weight are able to tolerate more alcohol
than people with less muscle and less body weight. Alcohol is soluble in
water. Muscle tissue is rich in water and provides greater space in
which alcohol is distributed in the body preventing rapid rise in blood
alcohol level. People who weigh more provides ample areas in which
alcohol can also be distributed in the body giving them a merit over
people who weigh less.
Alcohol
is insoluble in fat media. People who have more fat than lean mass are
more predisposed to rapid rise in blood alcohol concentration than
people who more lean mass than fat tissue.
These
facts substantiates the grounds in which alcohol has a toll on some of
us but as for you Sylvester we need to come together and have a closer
look on you because I really don't know why alcohol had a toll on you.
[1]
GENDER- Females have a low level of enzyme dehydrogenase which breaks down alcohol in the gut before absorption. [Ncadd]
Female also weigh less than male limiting the surface area in which alcohol can be distributed. Female have more fat tissue as compared to men. These factors points out that female genders are more predisposed to toxic effects of alcohol as their blood alcohol level rise rapidly as opposed to the opposite sex. [1][2]
Female also weigh less than male limiting the surface area in which alcohol can be distributed. Female have more fat tissue as compared to men. These factors points out that female genders are more predisposed to toxic effects of alcohol as their blood alcohol level rise rapidly as opposed to the opposite sex. [1][2]
CONCENTRATION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE- About
20 -30% of the ingested alcohol diffuses into the circulation in the
stomach. Further absorption of about 70 -80% takes place in the small
intestines. Taking strong alcoholic beverages esp those with 20% alcohol
concentration may trigger spasms at the distal portion (pyloric
spasms) of the stomach inhibiting stomach from emptying the consumed
alcohol into the intestines where absorption is more efficient. This
slows down alcohol absorption. [2]
REFERENCES:
1. National Institute of Health (US); Biological
Sciences Curriculum Study. NIH Curriculum Supplement Series (internet)
Bethesda (MD); National Institute of Health (US) 2007 -Information about
Alcohol. Address: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK20360/
2. INSERM Collective Expertise Centre. INSERM
Collective Expert Reports [internet]. Paris; Institut National de la
sante et de la recherche medicale; 2000-.Alcohol: Health Effects 2001.
Address: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7116/#!po=0.0687758.
