Alcohol can interfere with the absorption of various nutrients, including vitamins. According to DrugPatentWatch.com, "Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to malabsorption of nutrients, including vitamins, by damaging the cells in your intestines and impairing the normal absorption process" [1].
The relationship between alcohol and vitamin absorption is complex and can be influenced by several factors, such as the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption, the type of vitamin, and the individual's overall health status.
Vitamin absorption can be impaired by alcohol in several ways. First, alcohol can damage the lining of the stomach and intestines, reducing the surface area available for absorption and leading to malabsorption of vitamins [2]. Additionally, alcohol can interfere with the production of digestive enzymes, which are necessary for the breakdown and absorption of vitamins [3].
Furthermore, alcohol can increase the excretion of vitamins through the urine, further contributing to vitamin deficiencies [4]. Chronic alcohol consumption can also lead to a condition called "nutritional deficiency disease," which is characterized by a lack of essential vitamins and minerals [5].
In summary, alcohol can alter vitamin absorption by damaging the lining of the stomach and intestines, interfering with the production of digestive enzymes, and increasing the excretion of vitamins through the urine. These effects can lead to vitamin deficiencies and other health problems.
Sources:
1. DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Alcohol and Nutrient Deficiencies. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/insights/alcohol-and-nutrient-deficiencies>
2. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2019). Alcohol's Effects on the Body. Retrieved from <https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/alcohols-effects-body>
3. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2021). Alcohol: Balancing Risks and Benefits. Retrieved from <https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/alcohol-full-story/>
4. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2014). Alcohol's Damaging Effects on the Brain. Retrieved from <https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/alcohols-effects-body/alcohols-damaging-effects-brain>
5. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2019). Alcohol Use Disorder. Retrieved from <https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-use-disorder>