How is alcohol absorbed in my body?

• Alcohol is absorbed through the walls of the small intestine, before being transported throughout the body by the blood.
• The liver is the organ which is primarily responsible for metabolizing alcohol, and is able to process only a certain amount per hour.
• For this reason, the quantity and speed of consumption must be controlled. The body is only able to process 90% of the alcohol consumed, with the remaining 10% being expelled through other means such as breath, sweat, tears and breastmilk.

What factors determine the body’s ability to eliminate alcohol?

It depends on factors such as gender, age, weight and height, among others.

Why can men consume a larger amount of alcohol than women?

Men have a greater hepatic capacity, that is, their liver is able to metabolize alcohol more rapidly.

How much alcohol can a healthy liver metabolize?

A healthy liver is able to metabolize around one standard drink of 10 grams of pure alcohol per hour (men) or hour and a half (women). This data is approximate, and is calculated for a healthy person of average weight and height.

What are the main effects of alcohol in the short term?

When drinking alcohol, people become uninhibited from the first glass. By the third glass, information processing is impaired. Then, by around the fifth glass, there is a delay in reactions and responses, and a lack of control over psychomotor functions.

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How much can I drink?

In order to standardize criteria when calculating alcohol consumption, the WHO established measurements through the Standard Drink (SD). Each standard drink contains approximately 10 grams of pure alcohol (which may vary depending on the alcohol concentration of your drink, and the amount served in your glass).

By knowing how many standard drinks you have consumed, the amount of pure alcohol that you have ingested can be measured and, based on that, you can estimate how long it will take to be fully eliminated from your body. Take into account that a healthy liver is able to metabolize around one SD per hour (men) or hour and a half (women).

Hydration

• Alcohol dehydrates your body, and as such increases your thirst. Thus, alternating alcoholic beverages with water is recommended. Otherwise, you will be likely to drink more alcohol, and to drink faster, in order to quench your thirst.
• Alternating alcoholic beverages with water also helps you to delay the speed of consumption, and remain hydrated.
• Water will help you to counteract dehydration, and as such, if you drink too much alcohol, it will reduce the effects of the hangover.

General Recommendations

Putting the following recommendations into practice will help you to avoid unpleasant situations which may be harmful to yourself and others.

Moderation in the amount and speed of consumption

• Alcohol enters your system more rapidly in the extent to which the amount ingested increases.
• The amount of alcohol ingested determines the speed and intensity with which its effects appear.

Food

• Food causes alcohol to be processed more slowly.
• Alcohol moves through your body faster if you have an empty stomach.
• If you’re hungry, you’re more likely to drink faster.

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