Chapter 4a presents the following content: History of alcohol use, the character of alcohol, alcohol: is it a nutrient? alcohol and its sources, alcohol absorption, alcohol in the body, when alcohol becomes a problem, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, alcoholics and malnutrition, does alcohol have benefits? | Spotlight on Alcohol The Character of Alcohol Ethanol The alcohol in beer, wine, spirits Methanol Wood alcohol—poisonous Alcohol: Is it a Nutrient? Provides energy 7 kcal/g No other nutritive value Alcohol and Its Sources Fermentation Yeast cells metabolize sugar to make alcohol Alcoholic beverages Beer: 5–6% alcohol Wine: 8–14% alcohol Liquor: 35–45% alcohol “Proof” is twice the alcohol percentage Alcohol Absorption No digestion required Absorbed from mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine Absorption slowed by food 80–95% of alcohol is absorbed unchanged Alcohol in the Body Metabolizing small amounts of alcohol Alcohol dehydrogenase Alcohol acetaldehyde Aldehyde dehydrogenase Acetaldehyde acetate Acetaldehyde, acetate converted to acetyl CoA Acetyl CoA molecules built into fatty acids Alcohol in the Body Metabolizing large amounts of alcohol Overwhelms alcohol dehydrogenase system Uses microsomal ethanol-oxidizing system (MEOS) Alcohol in the Body Removing alcohol from circulation Liver metabolism limited Blood alcohol level falls slowly Alcohol in the Body Individual differences in rate of alcohol metabolism Gender Race/ethnicity Age When Alcohol Becomes a Problem Alcohol in the brain and nervous system Depressant; affects all parts of brain Alcohol’s effect on GI system Esophagitis and gastritis When Alcohol Becomes a Problem Alcohol and the liver Fatty liver Fibrosis Cirrhosis Fetal alcohol syndrome Physical abnormalities Mental retardation Low birth weight and poor growth Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Can have a devastating impact when consumed during pregnancy Variety of congenital defects: Mental retardation Coordination programs Heart, eye, and genitourinary malformations Slowed growth rates Alcoholics and Malnutrition Poor diet Alcohol provides energy but no nutrients Economic factors Lack of interest in food; GI problems Alcoholics and Malnutrition Vitamin deficiencies Alcohol interferes with vitamin metabolism Folate, thiamin, and vitamin A Mineral | Spotlight on Alcohol The Character of Alcohol Ethanol The alcohol in beer, wine, spirits Methanol Wood alcohol—poisonous Alcohol: Is it a Nutrient? Provides energy 7 kcal/g No other nutritive value Alcohol and Its Sources Fermentation Yeast cells metabolize sugar to make alcohol Alcoholic beverages Beer: 5–6% alcohol Wine: 8–14% alcohol Liquor: 35–45% alcohol “Proof” is twice the alcohol percentage Alcohol Absorption No digestion required Absorbed from mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine Absorption slowed by food 80–95% of alcohol is absorbed unchanged Alcohol in the Body Metabolizing small amounts of alcohol Alcohol dehydrogenase Alcohol acetaldehyde Aldehyde dehydrogenase Acetaldehyde acetate Acetaldehyde, acetate converted to acetyl CoA Acetyl CoA molecules built into fatty acids Alcohol in the Body Metabolizing large amounts of alcohol Overwhelms alcohol dehydrogenase system Uses microsomal ethanol-oxidizing system (MEOS) Alcohol in the Body Removing alcohol from .
