Health Q&A: Different alcohols and the liver

Posted: February 19, 2009

Q: Is there a big difference in how the liver handles red wine in comparison to Scotch or beer?

A: No. The human body processes alcohol primarily through enzymes called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which reside in the liver. When consumed, alcohol molecules go through the stomach lining into the blood stream. When blood circulates through the liver, the ADH in the liver processes the alcohol. The rate and the circumstances under which one consumes alcoholic beverages determine how quickly and efficiently enzymes in the liver will be able to deal with the alcohol. Men are more efficient than women at processing alcohol because they have a higher amount of ADH. The amount of food a person consumes also affects the amount of ADH present in the liver.

Wine consumption may prove, however, to be beneficial for liver health: A recent study found that people who consumed one glass of wine a day were at a lower risk of developing liver disease than non drinkers.

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