Alcohol: Chapter 14 Flashcards
How do typical servings of alcoholic beverages compare to standard drinks?
People often exceed the standard drink size, especially with mixed drinks that may contain more than one type of hard liquor.
What is the caloric content of alcohol, and how many calories does one standard drink provide?
- Alcohol provides 7 calories per gram.
- One standard drink (14 to 17 grams of alcohol) supplies about 100 to 120 calories.
Why do many alcoholic beverages have higher total calorie content than one standard drink?
Many beverages are larger than one standard drink, and most also contain carbohydrates. For example:
One beer provides about 140 total calories.
“Light” beer, despite being lower in calories, still has close to the same alcohol content as regular beer, with about 99 calories.
A 145-millilitre glass of wine has about 100 calories.
An 85-millilitre margarita supplies 157 calories.
A 175-millilitre cosmopolitan has 143 calories.
A 175-millilitre rum and cola contain about 180 calories (including the mix).
How does weight and gender influence alcohol consumption?
- Weight affects water content; larger individuals generally have more water.
- Men can generally consume more alcohol than women.
- Women have lower amounts of a certain enzyme, making them more susceptible to toxicity effects.
How does the type of alcohol, concentration, and mixing with carbonated solutions affect absorption?
- Shots are quickly absorbed, especially due to their concentration.
- The more concentrated the alcohol, the faster it enters the bloodstream.
- Carbonation may speed up absorption, so avoiding alcohol with carbonation can help maintain a lower blood alcohol level.
What is the impact of gender difference in enzyme levels on alcohol metabolism?
Women tend to have less of a specific enzyme related to alcohol metabolism.
This can be attributed to their lower body water content and overall mass compared to men.
How does body composition and lean mass influence the effects of alcohol?
The proportion of body fat to lean mass is a critical factor in how alcohol affects an individual.
Higher body fat levels are associated with lower lean mass, potentially influencing the intensity of alcohol’s effects.
What are some practical tips for safer drinking?
- Have a meal containing protein before consuming alcohol to slow down its absorption.
Avoid drinking on an empty stomach. - Moderation in alcohol consumption is key to
- maintaining control over blood alcohol levels.
How is blood alcohol concentration (BAC) impacted by body weight, percent body fat, and biological sex?
The size of an individual can influence the rate at which alcohol or toxins affect the body.
What does a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08% indicate, and what are the legal implications related to driving in Canada?
A BAC of 0.08% indicates 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood, considered the legal limit for intoxication in Canada.
Driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher is a criminal offense.
How does chronic alcohol consumption affect the liver’s metabolism of alcohol?
Chronic alcohol consumption accelerates the liver’s ability to metabolize alcohol.
How does consuming alcohol with food impact its absorption?
Consuming alcohol with food can slow down its absorption, helping to mitigate the rapid increase in blood alcohol levels.
What factors do not affect alcohol absorption into the bloodstream?
- Exercise: While exercise has various health benefits, it does not influence the absorption of alcohol.
- Deep Breathing: The act of deep breathing does not impact the rate at which the body absorbs alcohol.
- Coffee Consumption: Drinking coffee does not alter the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.
- Other Drug Interactions: The absorption of alcohol remains unaffected by the concurrent use of other drugs.
What are the risks associated with rapid and significant alcohol consumption?
Drinking a substantial amount of alcohol quickly can have severe consequences, carrying the risk of reaching potentially fatal levels in the bloodstream.
What is the approximate rate at which the liver can metabolize alcohol, and how can it be used as a guideline?
The liver can metabolize approximately one standard drink per hour. This rate provides a general guideline for estimating how quickly the body processes alcohol.