Alcohol overview
Alcohol, more a drug than food – provides energy, like the fat, protein and carbohydrates that we eat. When converted into energy, pure alcohol releases 7 kilocalories per gram. Nearly twice that of carbohydrate & protein.
It does not meet the definition of a nutrient (a substance that provides nourishment essential for the maintenance of life and for growth.) but consumption is often a pleasant social activity, and moderate use need not be harmful for most.
The body can only convert a certain amount of alcohol per hour into energy, within the liver using the aldehyde dehydrogenase system. When large amounts are consumed, this overwhelms & exceeds the normal aldehyde dehydrogenase processing system capacity.
So alcohol becomes identified as a foreign substance, and enters an overflow pathway called the Microsomal Ethanol Oxidizing System (MEOS) so that it can still be converted into energy.
Effects of alcohol .. the next day
- Dehydration – which leads to headache and dry mouth
- Irritation to gastrointestinal tract – which can cause stomach pain & vomiting
- Electrolyte imbalance – altered potassium, magnesium, sodium, or calcium levels means you may experience weakness because of vomiting & sweating
- Low blood sugar – the conversion of alcohol results in a reduction in glucose production
- Sleep disturbances & fatigue
Reducing the effects of alcohol (a hangover!)
- Consuming bland complex carbohydrates (Toast or crackers) – can combat low blood sugar & maybe sickness
- Antacids may help to reduce nausea and stomach pains – as antacids work by neutralising stomach acids (drinking causes us to produce more stomach acid, causing irritation)
- Sleep
- Avoid taking too much acetaminophen (paracetamol) – as liver damage can be caused- acetaminophen becomes toxic when alcohol is metabolised (toxic levels – >150 mg/kg or 12 g of acetaminophen for an adult
Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol is fat-soluble so can cross the membrane of nerve cells – and affects the levels of neurotransmitters and nerve cells. Alcohol increases dopamine levels, a neurotransmitter release in the brain – dopamine is related to pleasure & addiction and causes an increased desire to keep drinking.
If we are continually exposed to alcohol (e.g. binge drinking) – nerve cells communicate in a way that makes us motivated to go after alcohol to seek out the pleasure feeling, making the alcohol an addictive substance. Overtime, alcohol will no longer gives us as much pleasure and we will have to have more of it to obtain the same dopamine “pleasure” release – because our brains adapt.
Excessive Consumption
If alcohol consumption exceeds both systems ability to process – alcohol enters the systemic circulation, distributing into body fluids, including cerebrospinal fluid (found in the brain and spinal cord.) and during pregnancy, into the placenta and fetus.
Excessive alcohol consumption can deprive the brain of oxygen, which can cause it shut down and lead to brain trauma, brain tumors and strokes. In some cases death.
Whilst, long-term use & excessive consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can lead to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) which can affect the growth, movement, cognitive, hearing and vision and learning of the unborn fetus.