Alcohol and Nutrition

Dawson Hall 110

April 7, 2023
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Outline

1.Nutritional impacts
2.Alcohol metabolism
3.Defining standard drink sizes
4.Factors that affect blood alcohol content
5.Health Center Resources

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1) True or False
Betty is a 21 year old college student.

She heard that drinking wine regularly helps reduce her

risk of developing heart disease.

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Cardiovascular Health & Alcohol
American Heart Association: “No research has proved a cause-and-effect link between drinking alcohol
and better heart health.”

 Triglycerides, atherosclerotic build up

 Risk for hypertension, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias
 Risk for atrial fibrillation with binge drinking (can lead to blood clots, stroke,
heart failure)
 Premature aging of arteries, increased risk of type 2 diabetes

Studies – mostly epidemiological – showing associations

with reduced mortality, could be attributed to other healthy
behaviors

AHA 2019 5
 Red Wine and Cardiovascular Health
•Wine contains organic
compounds called
polyphenols (antioxidants)
•Types of polyphenols:
flavonoids, resveratrol,
quercetin
•Sources: grapes, berries,
cranberries, peanuts, onions,
tomatoes
•Increase HDL cholesterol
Other ways to increase HDL cholesterol:
regular physical activity, heart healthy diet,
smoking cessation

Haseeb et al 2017 6
What About Drinking For Health In A College Population?
Moderate alcohol consumption may reduce HDL in 50+ year old.

There are greater risks associated with alcohol intake in college

aged population which outweigh any potential benefits

What are some potential risks associated with alcohol intake for
young adults?

Heavy or binge drinking has NO health benefits

O’Keete et al 2014 7
Nutritional Considerations with Alcohol Intake
1) Increased overall caloric intake (7 kcal/gram)
2) Impaired judgement + appetite stimulant.
3) The simple fact that alcohol is a liquid.

Alcoholic beverages are primarily water, ethanol and differing

amounts of sugar. Alcohol is not an essential nutrients.
Decreases serum iron, vitamin A, folate, thiamine
Elevated cholesterol, particularly triglycerides
Hypo and hyperglycemia

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Drunkorexia (Food Restricted Alcohol Consumption)
• Disordered/ eating disorder behaviors while drinking
• Motives may include:
• Choosing to obtain calories from alcohol rather than food
to prevent weight gain
• May also result in purging after alcohol consumption.
• Wanting to get intoxicated to feel the effects quicker and/
or to save that would be spent on food

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 Effects Of Chronic Alcohol Misuse

Cirrhosis

Pancreatitis

Wernicke-Korsakoff
Syndrome

Cancer

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 Effects Of Chronic Alcohol Misuse

Cirrhosis

Pancreatitis

Wernicke-Korsakoff
Syndrome

Cancer

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 Effects Of Chronic Alcohol Misuse

Cirrhosis

Pancreatitis

Wernicke-Korsakoff
Syndrome

Cancer

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 Effects Of Chronic Alcohol Misuse

Cirrhosis • Acetaldehyde from drinking alcohol,

alcoholic beverages, and ethanol
from alcohol are all considered a high
level (IARC group 1) carcinogenic
Pancreatitis
• Risk of cancer development increases
Wernicke-Korsakoff with moderate & heavy alcohol
Syndrome consumption

• For those who stop drinking, cancer

Cancer risk slowly but eventually declines.

Cancer.gov 13
2) True or False
Brian (sex assigned male) and Sara (sex assigned female)
are drinking the same can of beer at the same rate. They
will both metabolize alcohol at the same rate.

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Alcohol metabolism

Ingested orally Liver: primary site of metabolism

Brain, pancreas: secondary sites

Small intestine:
~80% absorption
Excrete thru
sweat, urine,
saliva, breath

Alcohol is circulated
to organs thru the
Stomach: ~20% absorption
bloodstream

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“Eating bread will soak up the alcohol.”
• Choosing a balanced meal that
contains carbohydrates Common Better
(complex), protein and fat would Option Option
be a better option, such as a turkey
sandwich with cheese or a
hamburger
• Eating before drinking will slow
down the rate at which the alcohol
reaches the bloodstream, but it does
not increase metabolism
• Hypoglycemia

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True or False: Caffeine speeds up my metabolism
Mixing alcohol with energy drinks is high risk because the caffeine (a
stimulant) conceals the effects of alcohol (a depressant).
• Someone would still experience a rise in BAC, but they may not
feel the symptoms.
• Caffeine and other stimulants do not speed up the metabolism
of alcohol.⁷
• In 2010, FDA banned caffeine in alcoholic beverages

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What influences an individual’s alcohol metabolism?

Age

Genetic Food Intake

Factors & Hydration

Body
Composition

Enzyme
Production
Brain will likely metabolize the
alcohol faster than Sarah.

Cederbaum 2012 18
3) Who Had More
Abdul is out drinking with his partner Sam.

Sam orders a shot of vodka while Abdul orders a pint of

Budweiser (a beer).

Who has more alcohol in their drink?

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 Drink Pour Challenge
Standard drinks
A standard drink is one that contains 14g (0.6 fluid oz) pure
alcohol and is equal to:

12oz beer 1.5 oz 80 proof liquor

(5% ABV) (40% ABV)

4-5oz of wine 1.0oz 100 proof liquor

(12% ABV) (50% ABV)

NIAAA 2014 20
How Many Drinks: A Pint of Beer

Craft beers typically have

a higher ABV

1.5x
Standard drinks
Tropicalia
Hopsectuioner
6.6%
7.3%
Sweetwater 420 5.7%

Abdul likely had more alcohol than Sam

because of the volume of his beer.

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How Many Drinks: Bottle of Red Wine

5x, 5oz
Glasses of Wine

Varies
3L: 20 Glasses
5L: 33 Glasses

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Hunch Punch
Survey with UGA students:

4-13
Standard drinks

Only 3 recipes were under 10 standard

servings of alcohol.

Open source drink containers are at

??? higher risk for tampering

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2020 DGA and alcohol
Recommendation: if consumed, limit to up to 1 drink/day for
women and up to 2 drinks/day for men, if of legal drinking age
Three ways to define excessive consumption. What are they?

Any drinking by pregnant women or those under legal

drinking age.

Heavy drinking: 8+ drinks/week for women

15+ drinks/week for men

Binge drinking: 4+ drinks /2 hours for women

5+ drinks/2 hours for men

USDA 2020 24
High-Risks Drinking Behavior
• Pre-gaming
• Drinking games
• Drinking from open source containers
• Making mixed drinks
• Drinking when stressed or tired
• Shot

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4) True or False
Robin says they have a high tolerance to alcohol. It will
take more alcohol to increase Robin’s blood alcohol
concentration (BAC).

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Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Factors
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) – ratio of alcohol to blood in the body,
measured in grams/dL LOWER RISK
.01-.05 BAC
Euphoria / relaxation.
Effects of Alcohol
BAC affected by: Reaction time is slowed.
can be impacted by: Lowered inhibitions.
MODERATE RISK
.06-.08 BAC
Impaired judgment, coordination,
Rate of consumption Illness/ Tiredness reasoning.
Balance / motor skills affected.
HIGH RISK
Sex Assigned by Birth .09-.24 BAC
Loss of motor coordination,
Stress judgment, emotion control.
Blackouts / injuries.
Body Size SERIOUS RISK
.25+ BAC
Medications/ Drugs Severe impairment.
Food/ Fluid Intake Loss of consciousness.
Serious injury, alcohol
poisoning, death.

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Biphasic Response & Mental Health
LOWER RISK
.01-.05 BAC
Euphoria / relaxation.
Reaction time is slowed.
Lowered inhibitions.
MODERATE RISK
.06-.08 BAC
Impaired judgment, coordination,
reasoning.
Balance / motor skills affected.
HIGH RISK
.09-.24 BAC
Loss of motor coordination, judgment,
emotion control. Blackouts / injuries.
SERIOUS RISK

.25+ BAC
Severe impairment.
Loss of consciousness. Serious
injury, alcohol poisoning, death.

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 BAC & Alcohol Consumption
Time (hours) 160 lb. Male Time (hours) 140 lb. Female
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1 0.04 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 LOWER RISK
.01-.05 BAC
2 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00 2 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.02 0.01 0.00
Euphoria / relaxation.
3 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.01 3 0.11 0.10 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.04 Reaction time is slowed.
4 0.11 0.10 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.04 4 0.15 0.13 0.12 0.11 0.10 0.09 0.07 Lowered inhibitions.
MODERATE RISK
5 0.13 0.12 0.11 0.10 0.09 0.07 0.06 5 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 0.13 0.12 0.11
Number of Standard Drinks

.06-.08 BAC
6 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.13 0.11 0.10 0.09 6 0.22 0.21 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.16 0.15 Impaired judgment, coordination,
reasoning.
7 0.19 0.18 0.16 0.15 0.14 0.13 0.12 7 0.25 0.24 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.19 0.18 Balance / motor skills affected.
8 0.21 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.17 0.15 0.14 8 0.29 0.28 0.27 0.25 0.24 0.23 0.22 HIGH RISK

9 0.33 0.31 0.30 0.29 0.28 0.27 0.25 .09-.24 BAC

9 0.24 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.19 0.18 0.17
Loss of motor coordination, judgment,
10 0.27 0.26 0.24 0.23 0.22 0.21 0.20 10 0.36 0.35 0.34 0.33 0.32 0.30 0.29 emotion control. Blackouts / injuries.
11 0.30 0.28 0.27 0.26 0.25 0.24 0.22 11 0.40 0.39 0.38 0.36 0.35 0.34 0.33 SERIOUS RISK
12 0.32 0.31 0.30 0.29 0.27 0.26 0.25 12 0.44 0.42 0.41 0.40 0.39 0.38 0.36 .25+ BAC
13 0.35 0.34 0.32 0.31 0.30 0.29 0.28 13 0.47 0.46 0.45 0.44 0.42 0.41 0.40 Severe impairment.
Loss of consciousness. Serious
14 0.38 0.36 0.35 0.34 0.33 0.32 0.30 14 0.51 0.50 0.48 0.47 0.46 0.45 0.44 injury, alcohol poisoning, death.
15 0.40 0.39 0.38 0.37 0.35 0.34 0.33 15 0.54 0.53 0.52 0.51 0.50 0.48 0.47

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Tolerance
How someone feels under the influence of a substance but not an
indication of intoxication level

Influenced by:
• Periods of use
• Environment

Tolerance is not:
• An indication of intoxication level Robin’s BAC is not
• Blood Alcohol Concentration level dependent of her
• How much of a substance someone can handle perceived tolerance level.

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Alcohol Poisoning Symptoms of Hypoglycemia
• Unresponsive • Shaking, sweating,
• Vomiting while passed out weakness
• Blue or pale skin • Dizziness
• Slowed breathing or pulse • Looking pale
• Eyes rolling back in head • Fast heartbeat
• Headache

If ANY one of these symptoms are present, stay

with the person and get medical attention
Students have Medical Amnesty

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 Speed Run on Alcohol Myths
1) Alcohol helps you sleep better.
• Alcohol may make you feel sleepy, but it can reduce our deep sleep
cycle (REM)
2) “Beer before liquor never sicker, liquor before beer you’re in the clear”
• The amount of alcohol you consume is more likely to affect how you feel
than the order of drinks.
3) Alcohol does not affect athletic performance.
• Alcohol can hinder athletic performance (dehydration, reflexes, speed,
muscle recovery) for up to 3 days after consuming it

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Nutrition strategies to lower drinking risk
Stay hydrated & drink water between
alcoholic beverages

Don’t drink on an empty stomach:

consume a meal containing protein, fat,
and carbohydrate

Know the symptoms of hypoglycemia and

alcohol poisoning

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Planning for an Occasion
Safe ride to & from gathering
(UGA Ride Smart)
Water consumption/pacing
Alcohol consumption amount
If going out on an (outcome expectation)
occasion, what
Navigating peer pressure*
are some things
to plan for?
Balanced Meal Beforehand

Accountability partner
Keeping track of drinks
consumed
(How) Intentionally avoiding sharing
items

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 Join the UGA Nation!

Looking for activities that don’t involve alcohol?

Check out #doitsober at healthcenter.uga.edu

to find out what UGA students are already doing!

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Questions?
Health Promotion Department: (706) 542-8690

University Health Center:

https://www.uhs.uga.edu/
Anthony Chiu, RD, LD, CNSC
achiu@uhs.uga.edu

Gabby Buttry
gbuttry@uhs.uga.edu

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Thank You
References
1. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans,
2010. 7th Edition, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, December 2010.
2. Then and now: How the Dietary Guidelines have changed from 2010 to 2015. EatRight Pro: Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics website. Available at: http://www.eatrightpro.org/resource/news-center/in-practice/research-reports-and-
studies/dgas-then-and-now. January 14, 2016. Accessed 3/29/2016.
3. Alcohol and heart health. American Heart Association website. Available at:
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/Nutrition/Alcohol-and-Heart-
Health_UCM_305173_Article.jsp#.Vvw101TD-Uk. Updated January 12, 2015. Accessed 3/29/2016.
4. Blake JS. Nutrition & You. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Education, Inc.; 2008.
5. O’Keefe JH, Bhatti SK, Bajwa A, DiNicolantonio JJ, Lavie CJ. Alcohol and cardiovascular health: the dose makes the
poison…or the remedy. Mayo Clinic Proc. 2014; 89(3):382-393.
6. Alcohol. American Diabetes Association website. Last Reviewed: September 30, 2013 Last Edited: June 6, 2014.
http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/making-healthy-food-choices/alcohol.html Accessed
August 4, 2015.
7. Fact Sheets. Caffeine and Alcohol. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-
sheets/cab.htm. Updated March 14, 2014. Accessed September 26, 2014.
8. Inhaling alcohol is dangerous. National Capitol Poison Center website. September 2013.
http://www.poison.org/poisonpost/sep2013/alcoholbyinhalation.htm. Accessed August 4, 2015.
9. Alcohol and Athletic Performance Fact Sheet. Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition (SCAN). 2013.
http://scan-dpg.s3.amazonaws.com/media/files/09a3645e-f5e3-4bb2-ac37-
608ecb72fff6/SCAN%20NCAA%20Alcohol%20Athletic%20Performance.pdf. Accessed August 5,2015.

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References
1. http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption
2. http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/special-populations-co-occurring-
disorders/women
3. http://www.gannett.cornell.edu/topics/drugs/alcohol/whattoknow.cfm
4. http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/teaching-packets/neurobiology-
drug-addiction/section-iii-action-heroin-morphine/6-definition-tolerance
5. http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm

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