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Factors that affect how the body absorbs alcohol

On Behalf of | Jul 17, 2017 | DUI

Drivers operating motor vehicles under the influence of alcohol are still a huge issue. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that in 2015 alone, over 10,000 people died as a result of being in an alcohol-related car accident.

A big reason why drunk driving is still an issue is that people get behind the wheel of a car not realizing how impaired their abilities are. It actually does not take much for a person’s blood alcohol content to get over 0.08. A good rule of thumb is to simply avoid driving when you consumed beer, wine or liquor that evening because there are several factors that can affect how alcohol interacts with the body. 

How you consumed the alcohol

The speed at which a person consumes alcohol can greatly affect them. For instance, chugging an entire bottle of beer will affect the system more powerfully than if you sip the drink. The reason for this is that when an excessive amount of alcohol is introduced to the body all at once, the body’s systems have to work even harder to compensate. This can cause a person to become affected more quickly by a reduced amount of liquid. 

The food you ate earlier

Drinking on an empty stomach is not a good idea. It upsets the digestive system and causes it to absorb the liquid more quickly. Some good foods to eat before going out for a night of drinking include:

  • Spaghetti
  • Quinoa
  • Eggs
  • Chicken
  • Salmon
  • Hummus

Weight

Two people who weigh different amounts will be affected differently by the same amount of alcohol. Even a small weight difference, such as one person weighing 160 pounds and another person weighing 200, can result in drastically different BAC levels.

People should never put their lives and the lives of others in danger by driving while intoxicated. Florida citizens need to understand their bodies and the dangers alcohol poses.

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