Smart Serve Effects of Alcohol & Standard Drinks Flashcards

In Canada, what is considered one 'standard drink'?

Answer: 17.05 mL (0.6 oz) of pure alcohol

One standard drink in Canada contains 17.05 mL (approximately 0.6 oz) of pure alcohol. Examples include a 341 mL bottle of 5% beer, a 142 mL glass of 12% wine, or a 43 mL shot of 40% spirits.

Approximately how long does it take a healthy adult liver to process one standard drink?

Answer: 1 hour

The liver metabolises approximately one standard drink per hour. This rate cannot be sped up by coffee, cold showers, or food—only time reduces blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

Which factor does NOT affect how quickly alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream?

Answer: The colour of the alcoholic beverage

The colour of a drink has no effect on absorption rate. Body weight, food consumption, gender, and rate of drinking all influence how quickly alcohol enters the bloodstream.

At which blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is it illegal to drive in Ontario?

Answer: 0.08%

In Ontario, the legal limit for driving is a BAC of 0.08%. Drivers with a BAC between 0.05% and 0.079% face administrative penalties, and novice drivers must maintain a 0.00% BAC.

Why does eating food before or while drinking alcohol slow down intoxication?

Answer: Food slows the rate at which alcohol passes from the stomach into the small intestine

Food, especially high-fat or high-protein foods, slows gastric emptying, meaning alcohol takes longer to reach the small intestine where most absorption occurs, resulting in a slower and lower peak BAC.

Which of the following best describes how carbonated mixers affect alcohol absorption?

Answer: They can speed up absorption by increasing gastric emptying

Carbonated mixers (such as soda water or tonic water) can accelerate gastric emptying, pushing alcohol into the small intestine more quickly and potentially speeding up absorption.