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Metabolism of Alcohol
Alcohol cannot be used by the body as a source of energy directly. It is also not digested or broken down in the digestive track. It enters the body quickly and is distributed to all tissues. It can be used for energy only after it is converted to acetate and then to ketone bodies in the liver.
When alcohol is consumed, it passes from the stomach and intestines into the blood, a process referred to as absorption. Alcohol is then metabolized by enzymes, which are body chemicals that break down other chemicals. In the liver, an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) mediates the conversion of alcohol to acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is rapidly converted to acetate by other enzymes and is eventually converted to ketone bodies. These may be metabolized for energy or converted to fat for storage in the body.
Alcohol also is metabolized in the liver by the enzyme cytochrome P450IIE1 (CYP2E1), which may be increased after chronic drinking. Most of the alcohol consumed is metabolized in the liver, but the small quantity that remains unmetabolized permits alcohol concentration to be measured in breath and urine.
The liver can metabolize only a certain amount of alcohol per hour, regardless of the amount that has been consumed. The rate of alcohol metabolism depends, in part, on the amount of metabolizing enzymes in the liver, which varies among individuals and appears to have genetic determinants. In general, after the consumption of one standard drink, the amount of alcohol in the drinker's blood (blood alcohol concentration, or BAC) peaks within 30 to 45 minutes. (A standard drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits, all of which contain the same amount of alcohol.) The BAC curve, shown below, provides an estimate of the time needed to absorb and metabolize different amounts of alcohol. Alcohol is metabolized more slowly than it is absorbed. Since the metabolism of alcohol is slow, consumption needs to be controlled to prevent accumulation in the body and intoxication.
The bottom line is that alcohol does not contain and is not converted to carbs or sugar. It is, however, used for energy at the rate of 7 cal/gram and hence may stall a diet if consumed in excess.
Blood Alcohol Chart
Information from the National Institutes of Health
Alcohol can be dangerous for your mind and body. Learn how not drinking or smoking can lead to a healthier life style. Get information on heart disease and tips on weight loss so you can start getting healthy today!
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