Back to the Top
[It seems that there might be some PK in this message and given that
it is summer in SA I thought this might be a reasonable post ;-).
Non-PK responses should go to the poster - db]
The following message was posted to: PharmPK
BACKGROUND
I drink beer only on Fridays (after work) and Saturdays (after lunch)
but I ALWAYS drink it in a large traditional beer mug (500ml pr half
traditional British pint) FILLED TO THE BRIM with ice blocks. I also
continually replace these ice blocks to ensure that the mug is always
full.
QUESTION
What effect would this have on alcohol absorption given the facts about
dehydration and the need to try and drink water before you go to bed or
in between drinks ? Would the continued use of ice blocks in the beer
(FULL) effect feelings of dehydration ?. Although I do feel slights
effects of the alcohol on the Sunday morning (obviously) I never feel
dehydrated. However the negative effects (no dehydration) are most
evident on the Saturday morning probably due to the lay off of any
alcohol from Sunday to Thursdays including exrecise 4 times over that
period
Incidentally, I happen to like beer this way but am curious about the
scientific effects of drinking it this way. I think the coldness of the
beer does have some effects particularly as warm beer appears to take
longer to absorb.
Any thoughts on this ?.
Thanks
Back to the Top
Alcohol is a well absorbed. As a small molecule that passes through
membranes easily I doubt that the water or temperature due to the ice
effects absorption.
Regarding dehydration. Alcohol inhibits the release of antidiuretic
hormone from the brain, this hormone causes the kidneys to reabsorb
water. Consequently, alcohol causes increased urine flow and
dehydration.
The difference in after-effects between Saturday and Sunday may be due
to differences in when you drink the beer.
If you drink beer on Friday evening and then go to sleep you continue to
create urine while asleep, but you don't drink additional water while
asleep. Consequently, you will awake very dehydrated.
In contrast, when you drink Saturday at noon, as you become dehydrated
you will feel thirsty, drink other liquids, and not become as dehydrated
as you would while asleep Friday night.
Back to the Top
The following message was posted to: PharmPK
"Ronald Kavanagh 301-827-4254 FAX 301-827-4264 (by way of David_Bourne)" wrote:
>
> Alcohol is a well absorbed. As a small molecule that passes through
> membranes easily I doubt that the water or temperature due to the ice
> effects absorption.
The extent of oral absorption of ethanol is dependent on the rate of
delivery to the liver. This rate dependent first pass extraction
means that the fraction of the dose that reaches the systemic
circulation can depend on the concentration of ethanol ingested.
Dilute solutions will deliver ethanol at a slower rate and more
hepatic extraction will take place. I would therefore speculate that
the progressive dilution of the beer as the ice melts would mean that
the first few gulps would have a higher bioavailability but the last
few gulps draining the glass would have a lower bioavailability.
Overall this would have the effect of delivering less ethanol to the
brain than drinking the same beer over the same period of time
without addition of ice.
--
Nick Holford, Divn Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacology
University of Auckland, 85 Park Rd, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
email:n.holford.aaa.auckland.ac.nz tel:+64(9)373-7599x6730 fax:373-7556
http://www.phm.auckland.ac.nz/Staff/NHolford/nholford.htm
PharmPK Discussion List Archive Index page
Copyright 1995-2010 David W. A. Bourne (david@boomer.org)