Health Tips

In general, men’s bodies are better able to physically tolerate alcohol than women. Women achieve higher concentrations of alcohol in the blood and become more impaired than men after drinking the same quantity of alcohol. Roughly 20% of an alcoholic drink is absorbed in the stomach and 80% in the intestines. Alcohol is transported around the body in the bloodstream. It is the liver that has to do most of the work to get rid of what is in essence a toxin.

The liver breaks down alcohol. This is a process that takes time and about 90% of the alcohol is turned into carbon dioxide and water. The other 10% is got rid of sweat and through breathing. The rate of oxidation in the liver occurs at an almost constant rate; 1oz (29.6cc) of scotch or about 2 and a half bottles of beer an hour.

Alcohol and the Liver
Drink too much alcohol and the effects of alcohol on the liver are enormous. As much as two thirds of the liver can be non functional and it can take a few days for the liver to fully recover; that is as long as your liver is healthy in the first place.

Alcohol and the Nervous System
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Alcohol acts as an anesthetic slowing down the nervous system and making it work much less efficiently.

Alcohol and Body Fluids
A heavy night of alcohol intake means more fluid lost than gained. This is because alcohol stimulates urine output which in turn can lead to dehydration.

Alcohol and Weight
Alcohol provides energy without the nutrients. Alcohol is also high in calories.

Alcohol and Health
There is some evidence that small amounts of alcohol taken regularly, particularly in the form of red wine, can have beneficial effects.