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Alcohol Notes

Alcohol contains ethanol, which is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and can lead to various short and long-term effects on the body, including impaired judgment and increased risk of accidents. Short-term effects include relaxation and sociability, but can progress to negative behaviors and health risks. Long-term consumption can result in serious health issues such as liver disease and brain damage, as well as negatively impacting athletic performance.

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Aashish Tariq Gobin
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15 views1 page

Alcohol Notes

Alcohol contains ethanol, which is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and can lead to various short and long-term effects on the body, including impaired judgment and increased risk of accidents. Short-term effects include relaxation and sociability, but can progress to negative behaviors and health risks. Long-term consumption can result in serious health issues such as liver disease and brain damage, as well as negatively impacting athletic performance.

Uploaded by

Aashish Tariq Gobin
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ALCOHOL

All alcoholic drinks contain the chemical ethanol, which makes a person drunk. Ethanol is the type of
alcohol produced by yeast fermentation of sugar under ordinary conditions. Alcohol is dangerous to the
body because it needs no digesting (breaking down). It has the ability to pass through the walls of the
stomach and small intestines into the bloodstream minutes after taking a drink.

How Alcohol Moves Through the Body

When a person drinks beer, wine, or another alcoholic drink, the alcohol is quickly absorbed in the blood
and then carried throughout the body. A drink of alcohol stays in the body for about 2 hours after being
consumed. This period of time can vary depending on the person's weight, gender, and other factors.
When a person drinks, the concentration of alcohol in the blood builds to a peak, and then goes down.
At first, alcohol often makes people feel relaxed and happy. Later, it can make them feel sleepy or
confused. The small intestine and the stomach absorb most of the alcohol after drinking. A small amount
leaves the body through breath and urine. Eating food, especially fatty food, slows the absorption of
alcohol. If people drink more alcohol than their bodies can absorb, they become drunk.

Ways in Which Alcohol Leaves the Body

The kidney eliminates 5% of alcohol in the urine.


The lungs exhale 5% of alcohol (can be detected by breathalyzer devices).
The liver chemically breaks down the remaining alcohol into acetic acid.

Short term effects of Alcohol

When people begin consuming alcohol they initially may feel increased relaxation, self-confidence,
happiness and sociability, but this generally progresses into more negative behaviors. Alcohol
consumption leads to slowed reflexes, reduced coordination, impaired thinking, poor judgment,
depression, impaired memory, and a decreased ability to control motor functions.

Alcohol use has been linked to violent behavior and an increase in unprotected sex among young adults.
Alcohol also increases the risk of becoming a victim of sexual assault. Alcohol increases the risk of motor
vehicle accidents, suicide, injury, domestic violence and drowning.

Long term effects of Alcohol

Stomach disorders, depression, sexual difficulties, brain damage, muscle diseases, alcoholic hepatitis
(inflammation of the liver), cirrhosis (liver) and cancer of the mouth, throat and gullet.

Effects on Sporting Performances

Reduced coordination, slower reaction time, poorer balance, individual would be dehydrated and the
glycogen levels in muscles would be lower thus causing slower removal of lactic acid, experience rapid
loss of heat during physical activity and their body’s ability to convert food into energy would be
reduced.

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