A
Australia’s reputation as a beer-loving
country may have changed somewhat
from stubbies and thongs to a more
refined image of boutique brews and
artisan hops, but we still enjoy raising
our glass with relative frequency.
But there is a price to pay for this
enjoyment, even when drinking in
moderation (no more than two glasses
a day on average, and no more than
four in any one day). After all, the beer
belly is not so named without reason.
Here’s what happens when
you drink:
Once the liquid hits your stomach,
around 25 per cent of the alcohol
component – ethanol – is absorbed
directly into your bloodstream within
minutes. The rest is absorbed once it
reaches the small intestine. Almost
90 per cent is absorbed in the first
hour, but this time varies depending
on a few factors: how full or empty
your stomach is, if the alcohol
is carbonated, and the alcoholic
concentration of the beverage. If you
have a full stomach, the contents
will empty more slowly, meaning the
rate at which alcohol reaches your
bloodstream is delayed. That’s why
when you drink on an empty stomach,
you feel the effects much more quickly.
If the drink is carbonated (as is the
case of sparkling wine or beer), then
absorption is enhanced. The same
holds true the more concentrated the
drink is. Having a smaller body (such
as women, the elderly and the young)
leads to a higher blood concentration
per standard drink.Once in your bloodstream, alcohol
is processed in the liver (with small
amounts excreted in sweat, urine or via
breathing). Because a standard drink
will take the average person 10 hours
to process and break down, alcohol
accumulates, so with each drink, the
blood alcohol level rises, travelling toTHAT’S WHY WHEN YOU
DRINK ON AN EMPTY
STOMACH, YOU FEEL
THE EFFECTS MUCH
MORE QUICKLY.