Alcohol

Question 1

What is the molecular composition of alcohol?

Answer 1

It is a two carbon molecule

Question 2

Is alcohol considered a nutrient? Does it need to be digested?

Answer 2

Not a nutrient
Doesn’t require digestion; goes directly into your bloodstream

Question 3

Does alcohol give energy? Is it an empty-calorie or nutrient-dense food?

Answer 3

Actually gives energy 7 calories/g, but an empty calorie food

Question 4

Where is alcohol metabolized?

Answer 4

Processed in the liver by specific enzymes

Question 5

What are some factors that affect alcohol metabolism?

Answer 5

15g alcohol/hour capacity (12 oz. beer)
Variability (males > females)
Genetics: some people have decreased ability to metabolize alcohol
Some adaptation with increased alcohol consumption

Question 6

What are the four ways alcohol interferes with nutritional status?

Answer 6

Ingestion: reduced appetite, substitution (drinking alcohol instead of eating other food)

Absorption: reduced or impaired absorption of micronutrients

Metabolism: altered or impaired metabolism of micronutrients

Excretion: alcohol increases urine production