Alcohol

When enjoyed in moderation, alcohol can bring pleasure and relaxation. For the majority of adults, drinking in moderation as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle should not cause problems and drinking has formed an integral part of Irish culture and society over the centuries.

However, alcohol can be misused and lead to dependency in some and there are certain times when drinking should be avoided altogether, such as when driving, when pregnant or on certain medications. Heavy drinking and dependency can lead to many problems both social and medical.

What happens to alcohol in the body?

Absorption

The alcohol in your drink is absorbed into your body through the stomach and small intestine. Food slows down the rate of absorption - that's why alcohol affects you more quickly on an empty stomach.

Distribution

From here, it's distributed via the bloodstream throughout the body, reaching your heart, brain, muscles and other tissues. This happens very quickly - within a few minutes. Usually, though not always, this has a pleasant effect.

Metabolism

Your body can't store alcohol, so it has to get rid of it - mostly via your liver. Through a complex metabolic process the liver firstly changes alcohol into acetaldehyde, a highly toxic substance. The acetaldehyde is converted by the liver into acetate, a harmless substance, which is then turned into carbon dioxide and water.

Elimination

The carbon dioxide and water are passed out in the urine, breath and sweat. About 90% - 95% of alcohol consumed is metabolised by the liver. The remaining 5% - 10% is excreted through urine, breath and sweat.

What affects the amount of alcohol in your blood?

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream. Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach walls and the intestines as a person drinks. The bloodstream carries the alcohol to the brain. A loss of inhibitions is sometimes one of the first effects. As more alcohol is consumed the BAC rises. However the exact time that the body takes to absorb alcohol varies from one person to another. There are many factors that may affect BAC levels:

• Gender

• Size

• Health

• Psychological

• Rate of drinking

• Drinking on an empty stomach

• Medication

Gender

Sorry ladies, but you can