The mechanism of alcohol metabolism is complex.
February 16, 2021
The mechanism of alcohol metabolism is complex.
The liver is a major hub of alcohol metabolism.
The majority of alcohol is broken down and rendered harmless by the liver. The process of alcohol decomposition is very complicated, but let me explain the process of alcohol metabolism in very simple terms.
When we drink alcohol, about 20% of the alcohol contained in the drink is absorbed from the stomach, and the remaining 80% is absorbed in the small intestine. The absorbed alcohol travels through the body in the blood stream, passing through the liver on the way.
Alcohol is transported to the liver where it is broken down by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) to form acetaldehyde.
This is the substance that causes hangovers, and as I’m sure most people know, it is a poison. The acetaldehyde produced is converted to acetic acid by the acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzyme in the liver. The mitochondria in the liver are responsible for such alcohol metabolism.
The acetic acid produced travels through the body in the bloodstream, is broken down into water and carbon dioxide, and is expelled from the body in the form of breath, urine, and sweat. This is the end of the alcohol metabolism process.
This is a very simple explanation, but in reality, alcohol is broken down through a complex process involving various enzymes in the liver. It is difficult to fully understand.
When you drink alcohol, it will be broken down into “alcohol → acetaldehyde → acetic acid → carbon dioxide & water” and you will sober up.
In order for the metabolism of alcohol to begin, energy is required. Glucose (sugar) in the body is used as the first energy source, but it is not enough. If you eat something that contains sugar or carbohydrates (which are converted to sugar in the body) before drinking alcohol, your alcohol metabolism will be smoother. Eating a rice ball or a piece of bread is also effective.