What Happens If You Drink Alcohol On An Empty Stomach
Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach is something everyone does from time to time, whether it’s after work, on a night out with friends, or in any other situation. However, is it safe to do this? Are there any consequences for this type of intake if you have not eaten? We will tell you!
In general, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is accepted in society. Yet the World Health Organization reports that 3 million deaths worldwide as a result of the consumption of alcoholic beverages every year. In fact, it is a risk factor for more than 200 diseases.
How does the body absorb alcohol?
The process of absorbing alcohol begins with consumption by mouth. Since this substance has a low molecular weight, it easily passes through the cell membranes and from there into the blood vessels. The mouth, esophagus and stomach can therefore absorb small amounts.
Once the alcohol reaches the stomach, this organ absorbs 15 to 20%. The substance then enters the small intestine, where the main absorption takes place. This process then continues for 80% in the first and second part of the intestine (duodenum and the empty intestine). Finally, the last bit of absorption takes place in the large intestine.
Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach: how does food help or affect its absorption?
The absorption of ethanol in the duodenum and the empty intestine is faster than in the stomach. For this reason, the rate of gastric emptying is an important determinant of the rate of absorption of the alcohol a person ingests.
In this regard, science shows (Spanish link) that the ability to absorb this substance increases with an empty stomach and decreases with food in the stomach. This is because the contact area decreases (as Fick’s Law points out) and slows gastric emptying.
However, fatty foods are the exception to this rule, as they affect stomach motility differently than other nutrients. In particular, they increase movement and ensure that alcohol reaches the blood more quickly.
Fortunately, foods with carbohydrates and proteins ensure that the absorption is slow and that the alcohol concentration in the blood decreases by up to 25%. As a result, drinking alcohol on an empty stomach will lead to higher plasma ethanol concentrations and increased toxic effects.
Alcohol content and absorption in the body
On the other hand , the absorption increases when the drink in question has an alcohol content of 20% to 35%, as they do not cause vigorous muscle movements compared to drinks with an alcohol content above this value.
Similarly, the absorption of ethanol also increases if a person swallows a large amount at once, but not if he swallows it several times in small amounts.
General effects of alcohol on the body
Like everything we ingest, the liver is the organ responsible for metabolizing ethanol as it converts it into acetaldehyde and then into acetic acid. The body also excretes the remaining 5 to 10% through urine, sweat and breathing.
Although ethanol is still present in the blood, it affects the nervous system. This is why we experience classic symptoms such as the following:
- Feeling of uninhibitedness
- slurred talk
- Loss of coordination
It is important to note that high doses of alcohol can cause intoxication, which may include symptoms such as the following:
- Nausea, gagging and vomiting
- Confusion
- Hypothermia (low body temperature)
- Sudden loss of coordination
- Slow or abnormal breathing
- Difficulty speaking
- Loss of consciousness
- Pass out
Alcohol in women
It is also important to note that women tend to have lower body masses than men. They also have a higher percentage of fat and a lower expression of the enzyme ‘acetaldehyde dehydrogenase’ (responsible for the formation of acetic acid) in the gastric mucosa.
For these three reasons , women tend to get more drunk on alcohol than men if they drink the same amount of alcohol.
Alcohol in pregnant women
When pregnant women ingest ethanol, it passes through the placenta from the mother’s blood to the fetus. Babies are thus exposed to the same blood alcohol level as their mothers, which can lead to several serious complications (Spanish link).
Prevention and Recommendations
When it comes to health care, it is best to avoid alcohol consumption. However, if you drink, especially on an empty stomach, it’s worth considering the following:
- Choose a drink with a low alcohol content.
- Drink water or other non-alcoholic liquids between sips of your ethanol drink.
- Try to drink slowly over a long period of time, rather than large amounts in a short period of time.
- Eat a meal an hour before drinking alcohol.
How can I feel better after drinking alcohol on an empty stomach?
Drinking on an empty stomach increases the risk of the well-known side effect known as a “hangover.” This usually happens the next day after you drink a lot of alcohol or drink something with a high alcohol content. Symptoms may include the following:
- Dizziness
- Excessive thirst
- Decreased ability to concentrate or think clearly.
- Headache
- Changes in mood.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Sensitivity to light and sound.
- Stomach upset
Although these problems can be solved on their own, consider the following tips to help reduce the symptoms you experience after drinking a lot of alcohol:
- Drink water, soup stock or fruit juices throughout the day.
- sleep.
- Eat easily digestible foods, such as toast, crackers, and gelatin.
- Take pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, to relieve headaches.
It’s never good to drink alcohol on an empty stomach
Alcohol is a substance that in itself is harmful to health, as its excessive consumption is associated with the development of diseases.
When consumed on an empty stomach, it can have a greater impact on the body due to its rapid absorption. Since ethanol thus enters the bloodstream earlier, it causes its classic effects and a greater risk of poisoning.
To avoid this, it is advisable to eat something before drinking this type of drink. At the same time, it is ideal to drink plenty of water and avoid excesses. The best way to make sure it doesn’t affect your health is to avoid it completely.
