Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of sugar, yeast, and starches. The alcohol in beverages such as wine, beer, and liquor is ethyl alcohol (ethanol). It is a central nervous suppressant and is known to affect every organ in the body.

When consumed, alcohol is absorbed by the stomach and small intestine and enters the bloodstream. It is metabolized (broken down) in the liver by enzymes.

Since the liver can only metabolize a small amount of alcohol at a time, the excess circulates throughout the body. The effect of alcohol on the body is dependent on how much is consumed.

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How Alcohol Impacts the Body

Alcohol consumption can produce both physical and neurological effects on the body, including impacts on the brain, heart, liver, gallbladder, and stomach.

There are both short- and long-term effects of alcohol on the body.

Short-term effects include:

• Mood swings
• Slow reflexes
• Decreased coordination
• Vomiting
• Blackouts
• Slurred speech
• Issues with concentration
• Distorted vision and hearing
• Increased blood pressure
• Changes in body temperature
• Lowered inhibitions 

Long-term effects include:

• Liver disease
• Malnutrition
• Depression
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Permanent brain damage
• Ulcers
• Alcoholic hepatitis
• Cancers of the mouth, breast, liver, esophagus, larynx, and throat
• Nerve damage
• Trouble keeping up with life’s responsibilities

Does Alcohol Have Health Benefits?

Although the health concerns of alcohol outweigh the benefits, studies have shown that red wine is a rich source of resveratrol. This is a natural antioxidant in the skin of some grapes.

The health benefits of antioxidants include improving cells damaged due to free radicals, reducing oxidative stress in the body, and more.

If you would like to get resveratrol through foods without consuming red wine, some options include grapes, peanuts, cocoa, blueberries, cranberries, and bilberries.

Another study has shown that drinking red wine may help individuals with coronary heart disease. Epidemiological studies have supported that red wine is more coronary heart preventative in comparison to other alcoholic beverages.

There are also studies that show light to moderate consumption of red wine may increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL), so-called “good cholesterol,” and reduce cholesterol buildup.

Measuring Alcohol Consumption

Depending on the type of alcoholic drink and how much is in your glass, the total amount of alcohol consumed may vary. Different types of drinks (wine, beer, liquor) have a variety of alcoholic measurements.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), one “standard” drink in the United States contains approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol.

Standard drinks include:

• 12 ounces of regular beer, which is usually about 5% alcohol
• 5 ounces of wine, which is typically about 12% alcohol
• 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, which is about 40% alcohol

How Much Is Enough or Too Much?

Per the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 and NIAAA: