Alcohol is a ubiquitous part of many cultures and social gatherings. But it is also a substance that can profoundly impact the human body. And it stays in your system longer than you might think.
Understanding the journey of alcohol through the body is crucial for understanding the impacts it can have on your health and for making informed decisions. So, let’s take a deeper dive into exactly how the human body processes and gets rid of alcohol, as well as the effects alcohol detox can have.
How Does Your Body Metabolize Alcohol?
Let’s start by examining what exactly happens when your body metabolizes alcohol.
Alcohol is mostly processed by enzymes in the liver, primarily alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). ADH breaks down the alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound that is soon converted into a less harmful byproduct called acetate.
