© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 Alcohol

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 Learning objectives To understand alcohol is a source of energy. To understand the measurements of alcohol. To know the government’s current alcohol intake recommendations. To understand that drinking too much alcohol may damage health.

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 Alcohol is not considered a nutrient but is a source of energy in the diet. Did you know? Each gram of pure alcohol provides 7kcal/29kJ of energy.

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 How is alcohol produced? Alcohol is produced by a process called fermentation. During fermentation microbes called yeasts grow by feeding on the sugars (e.g. glucose). As they grow, the yeasts produce alcohol and carbon dioxide. This equation shows what happens: C 6 H 12 O 6 2C 2 H 5 OH + 2CO 2 + ENERGY Glucose Ethanol Carbon dioxide

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 Alcoholic drinks The amount of alcohol in drinks is expressed as a percentage present named as Alcohol by Volume (ABV) and varies from %. Spirits such as whisky and vodka have a higher alcohol content than wines or beers. Fruits such as grapes and apples are used to make alcoholic drinks such as wine and cider. Did you know? Cereals, e.g. barley and rye, are used to make beer and spirits. Spirits are made through the distillation process.

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 Typical alcohol content of drinks Drink% alcohol Spirits 40 Sherry Wine Strong lager, beer or cider 3-6 Low alcohol lager, beer or cider 1-1.5

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 One unit of alcohol A standard way of measuring the alcohol content in drinks is in units of alcohol. One unit contains 8 grams or 10ml of pure alcohol (ethanol). For example: A single pub measure of spirits. 25ml ~40% alcohol A glass of sherry or fortified wine 50ml ~20% alcohol ½ glass of table wine 100ml ~10% alcohol ½ pint of regular lager, beer or cider 284 ml ~3.8% alcohol 1 pint of low alcohol beer or cider 568 ml ~2% alcohol

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 What happens to alcohol in the body? Alcohol is absorbed from the stomach and the small intestine. This occurs more slowly if alcohol is consumed with food. Alcohol is soluble in water and carried around the body in the bloodstream. Alcohol is removed from the blood by the liver over a period of several hours. The rate at which this happens depends on age, sex, body weight, liver size and how much alcohol was consumed.

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 Sensible drinking The government advises that people should avoid regular drinking: Men – no more than 3 to 4 units per day. Women – no more than 2 to 3 units per day. After a large consumption of alcohol (binge drinking) in one session, it is recommended to avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours to allow the body to break down all the alcohol consumed.

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 Drinking in pregnancy It is best for pregnant women to avoid alcohol completely as it can damage the unborn baby. If they do drink, they should limit the amount to one unit of alcohol a day, once or twice a week. Heavy drinking during pregnancy can lead to foetal alcohol syndrome. Children with this syndrome may have: restricted growth; facial abnormalities; learning and behavioural disorders.

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 How does alcohol affect the body? As the level of alcohol in the bloodstream increases, it may cause an effect on a person’s behaviour. Short term: slower reaction times; increased risk-taking; judgement becomes blurred; poor co-ordination. This is why it is dangerous to drink alcohol before driving a car. Long term: Vitamin B deficiency disease, beri-beri, higher risk of liver damage such as cirrhosis and liver cancer and heart problems.

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 Question True or false? Alcohol does not provide any energy. True False

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 False. Alcohol provides 7kcal (29kJ) per gram. Next question

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 Question How much pure alcohol is in one unit? 4g 6g 8g 10g

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 Wrong answer. Next question Try again

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 Correct answer. Next question

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 Question True or false? It is best for pregnant women to avoid alcohol completely as it can damage the unborn baby. True False

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 True. It is best for pregnant women to avoid alcohol completely as it can damage the unborn baby. The end

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2013 British Nutrition Foundation Imperial House Kingsway London WC2B 6UN Telephone: Web :