Alcohol and Health

Alcohol and Health

Alcohol

Alcohol is a colorless, volatile and flammable liquid that is the intoxicating constituent of alcoholic drinks.

Active Substance in Alcohol

The main psychoactive ingredient in alcoholic beverages is ethanol. It’s naturally produced by yeasts that ferment sugar in certain carb-rich foods, including fruits, vegetables and grains.

Chemistry of Ethanol

In chemistry, the term alcohol refers to a class of organic compounds characterised by one or more hydroxyl (―OH) functional groups attached to a saturated carbon atom of a hydrocarbon chain. The structural formula of ethanol is C2H5OH.

Absorption of Alcohol

On drinking alcohol, a small amount is absorbed directly by the tongue and mucosal lining of the mouth, most of it however will continue down the esophagus and into the stomach. Once in the stomach, alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the tissue lining the stomach and small intestine. Once alcohol is in the bloodstream, it is carried to all tissues and organs of the body (except bone and fat). In the majority of healthy people, blood circulates through the body in 90 seconds, thereby allowing alcohol to affect the brain and all other organs in a short amount of time. The full effects of a drink are felt within 15 to 45 minutes depending on the speed of absorption.

Alcohol Metabolism

Alcohol is a toxin that must be neutralized or eliminated from the body. A small amount of alcohol is eliminated through sweat, breath, and urine. However, the liver is the primary organ responsible for the detoxification of alcohol. The cytoplasm of liver cells contains an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) that catalyzes the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde. Then, a second liver enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) metabolizes acetaldehyde to acetic acid in the mitochondria of liver cells. The acetic acid is eventually converted into carbon dioxide and water. Nothing will speed up the rate of detoxification, but the effective metabolism of alcohol can be limited by medications and liver damage.

Factors that Affect Intoxication Levels

— Biological sex

— Age

— Body composition and weight

— The amount and type of alcohol consumed

— The amount of food in the digestive tract

— The ability of the liver to produce the alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes

— Medications and illness

Effects of Alcohol on the Body

Short-Term Effects

— Feeling of relaxation

— Sense of euphoria and giddiness

— Impaired judgment

— Lowered inhibitions

— Slowed and slurred speech

— Decreased perception

— Slowed reflexes

— Impulsive behavior

— Changes in mood

— Apathetic

— Unstable emotions

— Trouble focusing, thinking clearly and making decisions

— Increased urination

— Dehydration

— Vomiting

— Nausea

— Drowsiness

— Impaired movement and balance

— Loss of coordination

— Digestive symptoms (gas, bloating, IBS, feeling of fullness, diarrhoea or painful stools)

— Distorted vision and hearing

— Headaches

— Sleepiness

— Breathing difficulties

— Loss of bladder control

— Unconsciousness

— Blackouts and memory lapses

— Coma

— Death

Long-Term Effects

— Psychological problems (inability to create long-term memories, think clearly, concentrate, focus, make rational choices and regulate emotions and mood)

— Worsen mental health conditions (Depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder)

— Increased risk of suicide

— Liver damage (chronic liver inflammation and liver disease)

— Toxin and waste buildup in the body

— Dysregulated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia)

— Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

— Weakened Immune system

— Increased risk of cancer (mouth, throat, esophagus, colon, liver and breast)

— Nerve damage

— Insomnia and other sleep concerns

— Digestive problems (ulcers, gastritis, hemorrhoids and other digestive disorders)

— Sexual problems (decreased sex hormone production, lower libido, difficulty in achieving orgasm or getting/maintaining an erection)

— Reproductive and fertility issues (irregular menstrual cycle and increased risk for infertility)

— Changes in appetite and weight

— Skeletal and muscle problems (lower bone density, increased risk of fractures, muscle weakness and cramping )

— Malnutrition and vitamin deficiency (Anaemia and vitamin B deficiency)

— Circulatory problems (High blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, stroke, heart attack, cardiovascular disease, heart failure and other heart-related diseases)

— Increased risk of Dementia and Alzheimers

— Permanent brain damage

— Alcohol poisoning

— Alcohol dependence problems (Alcohol dependence, alcohol withdrawal and Alcoholism (addiction to alcohol))