If you are wondering what can help slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, it is factors such as food intake, body composition, and the type of beverage that play a key role. These elements will affect your blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, which defines whether you are over the legal limit to drive. McAdams Law Office defends DUI cases throughout Greeley, Colorado, providing expert advice for those charged with this crime. Knowing the factors of alcohol absorption and BAC is important for personal safety and can be crucial in creating a solid DUI defense. The details of these aspects are discussed below.
Alcohol absorption starts immediately after drinking, with 20% absorbed in the stomach and 80% in the more efficient small intestine. The absorption rate varies due to factors like food intake, type of drink, and stress levels. Once absorbed, alcohol reaches the brain, causing intoxication effects. However, the effects are not immediate, and there’s a delay before alcohol reaches peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC). This delay can then lead to underestimating one’s impairment and making poor decisions, such as driving. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism indicates that rates of absorption may be highly variable and are subject to numerous physiological influences.
A number of factors will determine the rate at which your body will absorb and process the alcohol, which directly influences your BAC and how long it stays detectable. Below, we outline the most critical factors that will affect these outcomes.
The alcoholic beverages of stronger nature may allow for the rate of absorption to be speedier. It simply means whiskey and vodka become quickly absorbed due to the intoxication present in them whereas beer and wine take comparatively longer.
Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that beverages with higher alcohol content can significantly increase blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels more quickly, underscoring the risks associated with consuming spirits like whiskey and vodka compared to lower alcohol content drinks like beer and wine.
Body size and composition also affect the impact of alcohol. In general, people with more body mass have a lower BAC from the same amount of ingested alcohol as individuals with little body mass. Since alcohol diffuses in water of the body, a bigger person typically has more water to dilute the alcohol. Smaller individuals, or those who have smaller amounts of body water, will feel the effects more strongly and will reach higher BACs.
Alcohol absorption and metabolism are also affected by biological gender. At the same dose of alcohol, women usually reach a higher BAC than men. This is because of several physiological problems: a greater percentage of body fat, a lower content of total body water, and lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase-the enzyme that breaks down alcohol in the stomach. All these factors make women more susceptible to higher BAC and longer action.
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Drinking slowly will make your BAC lower because the rate of drinking is all about the way alcohol affects an individual. Sipping for a longer period allows the body more time to metabolize the blood, thus keeping your blood alcohol level lower. If a number of drinks were consumed in quick succession, however, then BAC would rise considerably quicker with impairment happening at an exponentially faster rate. More importantly, it was virtually guaranteeing the individual would well surpass legal limits. American Addiction Center says that BAC is influenced by many factors: the amount of consumed drinks, speed of drinking, age, and weight of the person, among others.
Eating before or during drinking is one of the most effective ways to slow alcohol absorption. Food in the stomach acts as a barrier, delaying alcohol’s passage to the small intestine, where absorption is faster. Meals rich in proteins, fats, and carbohydrates are particularly effective.
If you are facing a DUI charge in Greeley, Colorado, you need a lawyer who is familiar not only with the law but with the science of BAC-how alcohol is absorbed in the body. To schedule your personal defense today for your unique case, please contact McAdams Law Office at 822 7th Street Suite 530, Greeley, CO 80631 or call us today at (970) 353-0000 to speak with a DUI attorney.
| DUI/DWAI Victories | Criminal Defense Wins |
|---|---|
People v. S.M.Two DUIs downgraded to DWAI, |
People v. M.J.Assault and child abuse charges |
People v. S.D.DUI dismissed, pled to |
People v. S.C.Theft charge dropped, |
People v. B.S.Breath test challenged, |
People v. A.E.Drug charges dismissed, |
People v. E.B.No jail, favorable plea despite |
People v. J.K.Burglary plea reduced, |
People v. R.G.One DWAI dismissed, another reduced with minimal work release. |
People v. C.R.Traffic offense reduced, |
William T. McAdams, known as Bill, is a highly experienced criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor. Since establishing McAdams Law Office in 2006, he has represented clients in cases including DUI, domestic violence, and theft, handling over 100 jury trials. Bill serves clients predominantly in Weld and Larimer counties, including Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Loveland, and Fort Collins. An active community volunteer and member of multiple legal associations, he is dedicated to protecting his clients’ rights.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partiner, William McAdams who has more than 25 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.