Health News Desk, Drinking alcohol is harmful for health. We often see and hear this line. Despite this, many people are not able to stay away from it. Alcohol affects different organs of the body but the liver suffers the most damage. Since the liver is the second largest organ of our body. It processes the nutrients from food and drinks and distributes them to all the organs as per their need. The liver works to clean the blood by removing harmful substances from it. In such a situation, the question arises whether the liver also filters alcohol and how much time does it take.
Which organ is most at risk from drinking alcohol?
The liver is most affected by drinking alcohol. When alcohol reaches the liver, it first increases inflammation and then gradually damages it completely. If someone consumes alcohol excessively daily or 3-4 times a week, the risk of liver damage can increase significantly in 5-10 years. This can also cause dangerous diseases like liver cirrhosis.
Does the liver filter alcohol?
Liver plays an important role in breaking down alcohol in the body. When someone drinks alcohol, the liver metabolizes the alcohol into acetaldehyde, which is a poisonous compound. After converting acetaldehyde into acetate, the enzyme present in the liver breaks it into carbon dioxide and water and removes it from the body. According to health experts, the liver can digest only a certain amount of alcohol every hour, which is why drinking too much alcohol can put pressure on the liver, which can damage the liver and cause many diseases.
Alcohol detoxification time
The time frame for detoxification from alcohol may vary. For moderate drinkers, the liver can usually detoxify from alcohol in a few days to a week. However, for heavy drinkers or people with liver disease, it may take much longer.
How long does the liver take to filter alcohol?
1. If you drink alcohol in small quantities i.e. 1 or 2 drinks, it takes 2-4 hours to cleanse the liver.
2. The liver can filter 3-5 pegs of alcohol in 6-12 hours.
3. It takes more than 24 hours for the liver to clear more than 6 pegs of alcohol.
4. It takes longer for the liver of regular alcohol drinkers to clear it, which can range from several days to weeks.