Alcohol & Nutrition -

• Over consumption of alcohol may contribute to malnutrition by replacing foods needed for essential nutrients and by interfering with absorption, storage or metabolism of essential nutrients.

• Alcohol in moderation- health benefits

• Calories in Alcohol- The calories obtained from drinking alcohol are considered to be “empty calories” because alcohol does not contain any beneficial nutrients, such as vitamin and minerals.

Excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to alcoholism which is defined by the National Council on alcoholism as that which is capable of producing pathological changes in the body.  

• Alcohol Absorption- As alcohol is ingested, it is quickly absorbed through the walls of the stomach and small intestine and carried to the liver through the blood. The liver metabolizes alcohol at the rate of 1 oz per hour. Consumption of more than 1 oz per hour, alcohol becomes toxic.

• Excessive alcohol consumption is commonly associated with vitamin deficiency as it interferes with the livers capability of converting vitamins into their active form. Common vitamin deficiencies seen in alcoholism include; Vitamin A, folic Acid, Thiamin, Vitamin K, and some B Vitamins.

Physical Effects of Chronic Alcohol Ingestion

Liver

• Fatty live disease- an accumulation of tat droplets inside the liver cells
• Cirrhosis- causes liver cells to die and leave scar tissue
• Alcohol induced Hepatitis- inflammation of the liver, with scarring and the destruction of liver cells.

Digestive Problems

• Gastritis- inflammation of the stomach lining
• Chronic Pancreatitis- inflammation or scarring of the pancreas
• Cancer- commonly seen in the larynx, esophagus, stomach and liver

Cardiovascular System

• Can cause elevated blood pressure
• Arteriosclerosis-
• Cardiomyopathy- damaged and weakened heart muscle

Nervous System

• Temporary memory loss (blackouts)
• Loss of consciousness or coma
• Double vision
• Permanent damage including pain and loss of sensation in the arms and legs and loss of intelligence

Guidelines for Responsible Drinking

• The U.S Dietary Guidelines recommend that if you drink, do so in moderation and when consumption will not put you or others at risk of injury.
• Moderation is defined as no more than 1 drink per day for most women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men
• Binge drinking is defined as the consumption of 5 drinks on any given occasion and can be detrimental to your health.
• Eat before you drink alcoholic beverages to slow the absorption of alcohol into your system
• Carbonated beverages with alcohol will increase the absorption of alcohol into your system while water will dilute and slow absorption.
• Be smart, assign a designated driver that will stay sober when going out with others drinking

Statistics:

According to the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse, 1 in every 13 adults abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. Alcohol problems are highest among young adults 18-29 years of age. (www.niaaa.nih.gov)

KSU Statistic?

References

Groff J. L. & Gropper S. S. Advanced nutrition and human metabolism
Third Edition. Wadsworth/Thompson Learning, Belmont, Ca. 2000.

Mahan, L. K., Escott-Stump S. Krause’s Food, Nutrition, & Diet Therapy 11 th Edition. W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, PA. 2000.