Alcohol

    Researchedby:
    Kamal Patel
    Last Updated: October 13, 2024

    Alcohol is one of the world’s favorite intoxicants. It is frequently found at social gatherings because it provides an anxiety-reducing effect. Consuming too much alcohol will result in alcohol poisoning, which can be fatal.

    examine-databaseExamine Database

    Alcohol is most often used for Other. The Examine Database covers Metabolic Health, Low Testosterone, and 7 other conditions and goals.

    210 participants in 10 trials and 1 meta-analysis

    Summary

    Alcohol, otherwise known as Drinking alcohol or ethanol, is the main ingredient in a wide range of social drinks and the reason for the differentiation between 'Alcoholic' and 'Non-alcoholic' drinks.

    It is a neuroactive chemical that is able to change one's perception, and has a unique metabolic pattern relative to other sources of calories (the macronutrients; carbohydrates, proteins, and dietary fats). It contributes 7 calories per gram energy-wise, but this does not always correlate well with bodyweight like the other macronutrients do.

    What are other names for Alcohol

    Note that Alcohol is also known as:
    • Ethanol
    • Drinking alcohol
    • Beer
    • Gin
    • Vodka
    • Wine
    • Jager
    Alcohol should not be confused with:
    • Alcohol (The chemistry definition)

    Dosage information

    Abstinence from drinking is defined as having no ethanol intake whatsoever.

    "Moderate" drinking in the literature is dependent on gender and not ultimately defined, but an upper limit can be placed at 9 units per week for women and 12-14 units a week for men, with no single event exceeding 4 units.

    A unit is typically 12 oz (355 mL) of 5% beer, 5 oz (150 mL) 12.5% wine, or 0.85 oz (25 mL) of drinks with a higher (40%) alcohol content.

    Examine Database: Alcohol

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    Research Breakdown

    Examine Database References

    1. Cortisol - Välimäki MJ, Härkönen M, Eriksson CJ, Ylikahri RHSex hormones and adrenocortical steroids in men acutely intoxicated with ethanolAlcohol.(1984 Jan-Feb)
    2. Testosterone - Mendelson JH, Mello NK, Ellingboe JEffects of acute alcohol intake on pituitary-gonadal hormones in normal human malesJ Pharmacol Exp Ther.(1977 Sep)
    3. Testosterone - Sierksma A, Sarkola T, Eriksson CJ, van der Gaag MS, Grobbee DE, Hendriks HFEffect of moderate alcohol consumption on plasma dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone, and estradiol levels in middle-aged men and postmenopausal women: a diet-controlled intervention studyAlcohol Clin Exp Res.(2004 May)
    4. Testosterone - Sarkola T, Fukunaga T, Mäkisalo H, Peter Eriksson CJAcute effect of alcohol on androgens in premenopausal womenAlcohol Alcohol.(2000 Jan)
    5. Testosterone - Low plasma testosterone values in men during hangoverJournal of Steroid Biochemistry.()
    6. Growth Hormone - M Välimäki, J A Tuominen, I Huhtaniemi, R YlikahriThe pulsatile secretion of gonadotropins and growth hormone, and the biological activity of luteinizing hormone in men acutely intoxicated with ethanolAlcohol Clin Exp Res.(1990 Dec)
    7. Adrenaline - Koziris LP, Kraemer WJ, Gordon SE, Incledon T, Knuttgen HGEffect of acute postexercise ethanol intoxication on the neuroendocrine response to resistance exerciseJ Appl Physiol.(2000 Jan)
    8. Power Output - Barnes MJ, Mundel T, Stannard SRThe effects of acute alcohol consumption on recovery from a simulated rugby matchJ Sports Sci.(2012)
    9. Testosterone - W R Phipps, S E Lukas, J H Mendelson, J Ellingboe, S L Palmieri, I SchiffAcute ethanol administration enhances plasma testosterone levels following gonadotropin stimulation in menPsychoneuroendocrinology.(1987)
    10. Testosterone - Sarkola T, Eriksson CJTestosterone increases in men after a low dose of alcoholAlcohol Clin Exp Res.(2003 Apr)