The liver is the primary organ responsible for removing alcohol from the body.
The Liver's Role in Alcohol Removal
According to information from CA.gov's Alcohol Facts, most of the alcohol must be broken down (metabolized) by the liver to remove it from the system. This metabolic process transforms alcohol into less harmful substances that can be eliminated from the body.
Here's how the liver handles alcohol:
- Primary Metabolizer: The liver breaks down the vast majority of alcohol consumed.
- Constant Rate: The reference states that the liver metabolizes alcohol at a very constant rate, approximately one drink per hour.
- Limited Capacity: Importantly, the liver cannot speed up this detoxification process, even if there is excessive alcohol in the blood. This is why consuming alcohol faster than the liver can process it leads to an accumulation of alcohol in the bloodstream and increased intoxication.
While small amounts of alcohol are also eliminated through breath, sweat, and urine, the liver's metabolic action is the crucial step in removing alcohol from the body's system.
