spotlight on alcohol

alcohol

7 cal/gram

no other nutrivie value

not stored in body

acts as drug

how its made

yeast cells metabolize sugar

ethnic, age, and gender differences in responses to alcohol consumption

• asian flush 

• europeans have higher tolerence 

• old people lower tolerence 

• BAC raises higher in women

• women break it down slower due to body comp, height, weight, hormones

alcohol absorption 

• no digestion of alcohol is required, it difuses in and out of cells easily 

• most is absorbed in small intestine

• absoprtion is slowed by food, specifically food high in fat 

• to prevent alchol from causing destruction to cells and organ the boyd quickly brelas it done and removes ir from blood

• alcohol is metabolized in the liver by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase

alohol in brain and nervouse system

• depressant effects on all parts of brain

• small amounts are absorbed n mouth firectly circulating into blood, reaxhing brain in as little as one min

• becuase alcohol is soluble in fat it can cross the fatty membrane of nerve cells which can then disrupt brains system for communicating to nerve cells

alc effects on GI system

• yearas of heavy drinking leads to damage of GI system

• esophagitis and gatritis is associated with chronic irriation of alcohol ( inflamaion in esophagus and stomach)

alcohol and liver

• liver is most effected by heavy drinking

• liver is repsonsible for breaking down and detoxifying alcohol

• fatty liver- fat accumulation around liver

may lead to fibrosis- excessive fibrous tissue

cirrhosis- scarring d

does alcohol have benefits

moderate drinking has been associated with reduced mortality rate

reduces insulin resistence and might protect against heart disease by improving good cholesterol levels and reducing blood clotting