Which nutrient absorption is impaired by alcohol consumption?

Folate absorption is significantly impaired by alcohol consumption due to several factors associated with alcohol's effects on the digestive system and nutrient metabolism. Ethanol in alcoholic beverages can damage the intestinal lining, which decreases the surface area available for nutrient absorption. Specifically, folate, a crucial B-vitamin that plays a key role in DNA synthesis and repair, is particularly vulnerable to disruption from alcohol.

In addition to impairing the absorption of folate, alcohol can also affect the liver, where folate is metabolized. Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage and subsequent changes in how the liver processes and stores vitamins and nutrients, including folate.

While other nutrients like proteins and carbohydrates may also be affected by alcohol in more indirect ways—such as issues with their utilization or metabolism—the most direct and well-documented impairment relates specifically to folate. The deficiencies caused by alcohol-related disruptions are important because adequate folate levels are crucial for preventing certain health issues, including anemia and birth defects during pregnancy.