Abstract

EFFECT OF ALCOHOL IN HUMAN BODY – A REVIEW

Arun M. (Phd Scholar)* and Dr. Savitha H. P.

ABSTRACT

Alcohols are hydroxyl derivatives of aliphatic hydrocarbons. Alcohols exists naturally either free or combined as esters; like phenols they generally have names ending –“ol” e.g. Ethanol, glycerol and mannitol.Alcohol is one of the most widely used psychoactive drugs, and alcoholism is characterized by chronic, repetitive, excessive use of alcohol such that it interferes all the physiological and psychological behavior of the drinker. There are many alcoholic beverages available in the market those are differ from one another based on the starch used for their preparation.Malted liquors: (3 – 6 %) e. g. Beers, Stout. Wines, Light wines:Claret, 9 – 12 % cannot exceed 15%. Fortified wines: Port, Sherry (alcohol 16 – 22 %), Effervescent wines: Champagne (12 – 16 %). Spirits: These are distilled after fermentation, alcohol content 40 – 55%, eg. – Rum, Gin, Whiskey, Brandy, Vodka etc. Absolute alcohol, Rectified spirit.Metabolism in that organ occurs mostly through four pathways, with each resulting in the production of acetaldehyde. Most of the process occurs through the actions of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in the cytosol of hepatic cells. There are different adverse effect seen in body are like blackouts, effect on sleep and cognition, effect on nervous system and muscles, effect on hepatic system and gastric system and mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms.

Keywords: Alcohol, Alcohol Metabolism, Effects on body, blood alcohol concentration.