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Absorption

المؤلف:  Max M. Houck، Jay A. Siegel

المصدر:  Fundamentals of Forensic Science

الجزء والصفحة:  p368-369

2026-08-12

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Absorption

Alcohol is absorbed mostly in the upper part of the small intestine. About a quarter of the alcohol is absorbed through the stomach lining and a few percent directly from the mouth into the bloodstream. There are a number of factors that determine the rate at which alcohol is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood.

• The nature of the drink. More concentrated mixed drinks cause more rapid absorption of alcohol than do dilute drinks such as beer or wine. Alcohol from beer is absorbed more slowly than an equivalent amount of alcohol mixed with water. This is due to the carbo hydrates and other additives in the beer.

 • The rate and speed of drinking. The faster one consumes drinks, the more rapidly the alcohol is absorbed owing to the higher concentration in the stomach and intestine at a given time.

• The contents of the stomach at the time of drinking. This is a major factor in affecting the rate of alcohol absorption. The pyloric valve connects the stomach to the upper part of the small intestine. When the stomach is empty, the pyloric valve is open and the alcohol passes directly from the stomach to the small intestine where it is rapidly absorbed. If there is food in the stomach when the person drinks alcohol, the pyloric valve remains closed until digestion is complete. This means that alcohol cannot pass into the intestine. It must then be absorbed through the stomach lining. This process is slower than in the intestine and the alcohol must compete with the food for absorption into the blood. The alcohol is also diluted by the food. The result is slower absorption. It is also subject to metabolism in the stomach, thus reducing the amount of alcohol reaching the bloodstream and ultimately the maximum BAC. Figure 1 is a diagram of the human digestive system.

FIGURE 1 The human digestive system. Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream chiefly through the small intestine. When there is food in the stomach, alcohol will be absorbed through the stomach lining.