Alcohol, also known as ethanol, is an intoxicating agent and is mainly found in liquor, vodka, wine, and beer. It is produced through the process of fermentation of starches, yeast, and sugars. There are a few health benefits of alcohol use, such as cardioprotection through the consumption of wine. However, only small amounts of wine consumption have found to be beneficial. Alcohol may also increase high-density lipoprotein( HDL), which is also referred to as ‘good’ Cholesterol, which plays a vital role in preventing artery damage. Although alcohol may have some benefits, its detrimental effects are far much greater. Once alcohol is introduced into the body, it is perceived as a toxin, and the body has to get rid of it through the liver. As alcohol combines with fatty acids in the body, chemical compounds known as fatty ethyl esters (FAEEs) are released that have been shown to destroy the pancreas and liver tissues.
Alcohol metabolism is a task that is mainly obligated to the liver. The liver contains an enzyme, dehydrogenase(ADH), that converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a highly toxic carcinogen. Acetaldehyde has been found to causes psychological and changes such as memory impairment, incoordination, and memory impairment. Alcohol causes liver cirrhosis and severe alcoholic liver disease, Alcoholic pancreatitis, and Fetal Alcohol spectrum disorder to infants whose mothers drink during pregnancy.
Some factors affect blood alcohol concentration in the body since the body has a limit to how much alcohol it can process per unit time depending on body mass and liver size. Also, variations on the availability of ALDH and ADH enzymes can affect how much alcohol is processed. It has also been found that these enzymes work differently and with different efficiency among individuals. One gram of alcohol contains about seven calories of energy. However, the amount of energy contained is not limited, as drinks may have different additives that may vary the energy content.