Ethanol Consumption

"Distilled spirits have exceptionally few nutrients, but beer and wine do provide some nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant chemicals along with calories. A typical beer is 150 kilocalories, a glass of wine contains approximately 80 kilocalories, and an ounce of hard liquor without mixer is around 65 kilocalories. As a person starts drinking alcohol, up to 5% of the ingested ethanol is directly absorbed and metabolized by some cells of the gastrointestinal tract, including the mouth, tongue, esophagus, and stomach. Up to 100% of the remaining ethanol travels in circulation. This is one reason why blood tests are more accurate in measuring alcohol levels. The lungs and kidneys will excrete about 2% to 10% of this circulatory ethanol. The more you drink, the more quick trips to the restroom. The human body dehydrates as a result of these frequent trips to the restroom. This dehydration affects every single cell in your body, including your brain cells. This is the cause of the so-called morning hangover. Do not take Tylenol (acetaminophen). Alcohol metabolism activates an enzyme that transforms acetaminophen into a toxic metabolite that causes liver inflammation and damage. Liver damage may not be irreversible. Instead, drink water with electrolytes or sport drinks to rehydrate the body’s cells. Alcohol is a volatile, flammable organic substance and can be converted to a gas. The lungs exhale alcohol as a gas. The more alcohol consumed, the stronger the smell of alcohol in a person’s breath. Breathalyzer tests measure the exhaled alcohol levels in the lungs to determine the state of inebriation."