Related issues include the prevalence of alcohol consumption, the types of alcohol consumed, and how alcohol consumption effects dietary consumption of protein, carbohydrates, fats and total calories. The focus of this site is to describe how alcohol consumption effects macronutrient absorption, digestion and utilization, however alcohol also impacts micronutrients. For information on how alcohol consumption affects micronutrients click here . Statistics Alcohol or ethanol is a dietary substance that has an energy value of 7 kilocalories per gram. It is the most widely abused drug worldwide.
Alcohol abuse is known to have detrimental effects to the liver and other organs.
More men than women drink alcohol. In California, more than 13,000 persons died from alcohol related causes in 1989. The heavy drinkers are at risk for diseases related to alcohol abuse. The type of alcohol consumed in America is mostly beer, then spirits, followed by wine. Given the prevalence of alcohol consumption in the United States, health care professionals should be knowledgeable of the health risks and benefits related to its use and abuse.