Alcohol and the Body Flashcards

Which organ is primarily responsible for metabolizing alcohol in the body?

Answer: The liver

The liver is the primary organ that metabolizes alcohol, processing roughly one standard drink per hour.

Approximately how long does it take for the liver to process one standard drink?

Answer: 1 hour

On average, the liver can metabolize one standard drink per hour regardless of coffee, food, or other remedies.

What percentage of consumed alcohol is absorbed directly through the stomach lining?

Answer: About 20%

Approximately 20% of alcohol is absorbed through the stomach, while the remaining 80% is absorbed through the small intestine.

How does eating food before or during drinking affect alcohol absorption?

Answer: It slows the rate of alcohol absorption

Food in the stomach slows gastric emptying, which delays alcohol passing to the small intestine and slows absorption into the bloodstream.

Which type of beverage is absorbed most rapidly into the bloodstream?

Answer: Carbonated or sparkling alcoholic beverages

Carbonation increases the rate at which alcohol moves from the stomach to the small intestine, accelerating absorption into the bloodstream.

What does the term 'Blood Alcohol Concentration' (BAC) measure?

Answer: The amount of alcohol present in a person's bloodstream

BAC measures the grams of alcohol per 100 mL of blood, expressed as a percentage, indicating how much alcohol is circulating in the body.

Which of the following factors can affect how quickly a person becomes intoxicated?

Answer: Body weight and composition

Body weight and composition affect how alcohol is distributed in the body; people with less body mass or higher body fat typically reach higher BAC levels from the same amount of alcohol.