Binge drinking is defined as having more than four alcoholic drinks (for women) or five alcoholic drinks (for men) in one sitting. Even though it may sound strange to most people, it is a common behavior among college students. You probably had at least one episode of binge drinking in your lifetime: a bachelorette celebration, a college party or a “girls’ night out.” I’m sure you still remember how bad you felt the day after. Headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to sound and light, dry mouth, and irritability are a few symptoms of a hangover. Besides causing serious temporary impairments, consuming large amounts of alcohol at once may also lead to alcohol abuse and addiction in the long run.
Physiologically speaking, when a person consumes an alcoholic beverage, the alcohol is absorbed partly in the stomach (20%) and partly in the small intestines (80%). From the small intestines, the alcohol goes to the liver where it is metabolized to be eliminated. The problem is that the liver can only deal with a limited amount of alcohol per hour (generally, one standard drink per hour), meaning that alcohol is absorbed faster than it is metabolized. The alcohol that is not promptly metabolized keeps circulating in the bloodstream and affects the brain and other tissues. Thus, when you consume large amounts of alcohol at once, most of it goes immediately into the bloodstream, causing many side effects such as vomiting, dizziness, and impaired mental capabilities. It may also increase the chances of unsafe sexual behaviors, accidents or even death.
The liver’s ability to metabolize alcohol varies from one individual to another. Women seem to have a lower capacity to metabolize alcohol than men, being more susceptible to its side effects with fewer drinks. In addition, drinking on an empty stomach allows alcohol to be absorbed faster than when in the presence of food.
Continued exposure increases tolerance to alcohol, initially because the body becomes able to metabolize alcohol at a higher rate. However, chronic use also increases nerve activity which may lead to alcohol craving. Thus, continued exposure to alcohol may lead to alcoholism. Alcoholism is an addiction to alcohol that is characterized by craving, loss of control, physical dependence, and withdrawal symptoms.
Additionally, consuming alcoholic beverages on a regular basis can contribute to weight gain. That’s because, even though alcohol is not a nutrient, it still yields lots of calories[1]. This means that your chocolate martini will end up on your midsection. Moreover, people who drink too much on a regular basis are at risk of malnutrition. These people can develop protein deficiency, may have trouble absorbing certain vitamins, and may have an increase in the excretion of many minerals in the urine.
The bottom line is: avoid binge drinking. If you choose to consume alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation. Stick to one drink per day if you are a woman and up to two drinks per day if you are a man.
References
Boyle, M. and Long, S. Personal Nutrition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. 2010.
[1] One gram of alcohol yields seven calories. That’s way more than carbohydrates and proteins (4 cal/g) and almost the same as fat (9 cal/g)