Alcohol Absorption Rate: Factors and Timeline
Alcohol is absorbed relatively slowly compared to nicotine or caffeine. A standard drink (14 g pure ethanol) typically reaches peak blood concentration in 30–90 minutes.
Key Influencers
- Food in stomach – delays gastric emptying, slowing absorption (peak delayed 1–2 hrs).
- Carbonation – accelerates gastric emptying, faster absorption.
- Concentration – 20–30% ABV absorbed fastest; very high concentrations delay gastric emptying.
- Body weight & composition – higher fat % = higher peak BAC for same dose.
- Sex – women achieve higher BAC due to lower total body water and less gastric ADH.
Elimination is zero-order (~0.015 g/dL/hr) via hepatic metabolism (ADH, ALDH).
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