What does your liver do with alcohol?

[jimRH9]

If You drink a lot of alcohol, you do not become permanently drunk. It is common for people to say that your liver does the job of getting rid of it, But How does it do it?

 

[Mike H]

The metabolism of alcohol has been reasonably well studied, not only for inherent interest but also for its role in understanding and treating addiction. If you Google the phrases "alcohol metabolism" and "alcohol dehydrogenase" you will get an overview of the overall process as well as additional detail about one of the critical enzymes in the process.

 

[oswaler]

I can confirm that the liver plays a crucial role in metabolizing alcohol in the human body. When alcohol is consumed, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and eventually makes its way to the liver. Here, the liver produces enzymes that break down the alcohol into byproducts that can be easily eliminated from the body.

The liver primarily uses two enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), to metabolize alcohol. ADH converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance that can cause hangover symptoms. ALDH then breaks down acetaldehyde into acetate, which is further broken down into water and carbon dioxide and eliminated from the body.

The liver can process about one standard drink (5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of liquor) per hour. This means that if you consume more than one drink per hour, the excess alcohol will circulate in your bloodstream until your liver can metabolize it. This is why people may feel the effects of alcohol for a longer period if they consume it quickly.

However, it is important to note that excessive and chronic alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage. Long-term alcohol abuse can cause inflammation, scarring, and even cirrhosis of the liver, which can impair its ability to function properly. Therefore, it is crucial to consume alcohol in moderation and give your liver enough time to metabolize it effectively.

In conclusion, the liver plays a crucial role in metabolizing alcohol and removing it from the body. It does so by producing enzymes that break down alcohol into byproducts that can be easily eliminated. However, excessive and chronic alcohol consumption can damage the liver and impair its function. So, it is important to drink in moderation and give your liver enough time to do its job effectively.