_ch_07_PPT_lecture

Chapter 7: Nutrition - Alcohol

Page 1: Introduction

• Title: Nutrition: From Science to You

• Authors: Joan Salge Blake, Kathy D. Munoz, Stella Volpe

• Focuses on the study of alcohol in the context of nutrition.

Page 2: What Is Alcohol and How Is It Made?

• Definition of Alcohol:

  • Organic chemicals with one or more hydroxyl (OH) groups.

  • Types of Alcohols:

    • Ethanol (ethly alcohol): Safe for consumption, found in beverages.

    • Glycerol: Found in foods, part of triglycerides.

    • Methanol: Poisonous, used in antifreeze.

    • Isopropanol: Poisonous, commonly as rubbing alcohol.

• Effects of Alcohol:

  • Safe in moderate amounts; however, excess can be toxic and lethal.

Page 3: Structure of Three Alcohols

• Methanol: Used in industrial compounds like fuel.

• Ethanol: Primary alcohol in alcoholic beverages.

• Glycerol: Structural backbone of triglycerides in foods.

Page 4: From Sugar to Alcohol

• Fermentation Process:

  • Natural sugars (glucose, maltose, fructose) are fermented by yeasts, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide.

  • Fermentation halts at 11-14% alcohol content (yeast tolerance).

  • Produces beverages like wine and beer.

Page 5: Distillation

• Distillation Process:

  • Heats fermented liquids, vaporizing ethanol.

  • Vapors collected to create liquors.

  • Proof System: Indicates alcohol content (e.g., 80 proof = 40% alcohol).

Page 6: Moderate Alcohol Consumption Health Benefits

• Health Effects:

  • Moderate consumption may have benefits, e.g., red wine promoting heart health.

  • Potential reduction in oxidized LDL levels and platelet stickiness.

  • Mainly beneficial for men over 45 and women over 55.

Page 7: Individuals Who Should Avoid Alcohol

• At-Risk Groups:

  • Women of childbearing age, pregnant and lactating women.

  • Children and adolescents (under legal age).

  • People on medications or with specific medical conditions.

  • Those engaging in activities requiring coordination.

Page 8: The Absorption of Alcohol

• Metabolism in the Stomach:

  • Alcohol dehydrogenase begins metabolizing alcohol.

• Absorption Sites:

  • Some absorption occurs in stomach; most in small intestine.

  • Food presence slows absorption and peristalsis.

Page 9: What Happens to Alcohol in the Body?

• Absorption Process:

  • Alcohol is not digested but absorbed by diffusion.

  • Rate of metabolism affected by gastric emptying time.

Page 10: Factors Affecting Alcohol Absorption

• Gender: Women experience effects sooner due to lower ADH and body water.

• Age: ADH levels change with age.

• Ethnicity: Variability in alcohol effects among ethnic groups.

Page 11: The Liver Metabolizes Alcohol

• Main Metabolizer: The liver metabolizes most alcohol consumed.

• Two Pathways of Metabolism:

  • ADH Pathway: Converts alcohol to acetaldehyde and then to acetate for energy or fat storage.

Page 12: Alcohols Circulate in the Blood

• Blood Metabolism:

  • 95% of alcohol metabolized by the liver; 5% excreted.

  • Blood alcohol concentration (BAC): Grams of alcohol per deciliter.

Page 13: Alcohol Affects the Brain

• Central Nervous System Impact:

  • Acts as a depressant, slowing neuron communication; progressively affects brain areas as more is consumed.

Page 14: How Can Alcohol Be Harmful?

• Potential Harm:

  • Production of harmful acids and acetaldehyde can cause damage.

  • Short-term and long-term health effects exist.

Page 15: Short-Term Consequences of Overconsumption

• Unintentional Injuries: Many college students experience injuries from drinking.

• Sleep Disruption: Can interfere with sleep quality.

Page 16: Hangovers

• Symptoms: Occur within hours, lasting up to 24 hours.

• Causes: High acetaldehyde levels, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances.

Page 17: Effects of Alcohol on the Body

• Short-term and long-term effects include:

  • Hangovers, blurred vision, brain damage, addiction, heart disease, liver disease, infertility, osteoporosis.

Page 18: Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

• Risk Factors:

  • 50% genetic predisposition; influenced by family, social pressures, and access to alcohol.

Page 19: Treatment for Alcoholism

• Cure: No cure exists; requires total abstinence for recovery.

• Approaches: Combined physical and psychological treatment.

Page 20: Chronic Alcohol Abuse Health Consequences

• Alcohol Liver Disease Stages:

  • Stage 1: Fatty liver from excessive drinking.

  • Stage 2: Alcoholic hepatitis.

  • Stage 3: Cirrhosis leading to severe complications.

Page 21: Progression of Alcohol Liver Disease

• Stages include normal liver → fatty liver → cirrhosis with permanent damage.

Page 22: Alcohol and Cardiovascular Disease

• Health Effects:

  • Moderate intake may protect the heart; excessive leads to increased risks like hypertension.

Page 23: Digestive Organ Damage

• Risks:

  • Alcohol relaxes the esophageal sphincter, exacerbates gastritis, and can cause pancreatitis.

• Cancer Risks: Raises risks of several cancer types.

Page 24: Risks to Healthy Pregnancy

• Fetal Alcohol Exposure: Serious risks include fetal alcohol spectrum disorders with various developmental issues.

Page 25: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Symptoms

• Common features include:

  • Skin folds, low nasal bridge, short turned-up nose, thin upper lip, and small head circumference.