Kentucky Bourbon TrailÂ® Public Tours. Learn the art, history, and craftsmanship of America's Native Spirit as you travel through Bourbon Country for guided distillery tours and tastings! We'll also make a stop for a local lunch along the way.
Most of the ethanol in the body is broken down in the liver by an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which transforms ethanol into a toxic compound called acetaldehyde (CH 3 CHO), a known carcinogen.cetate then is broken down to carbon dioxide and water, mainly in tissues other than the liver.Acetaldehyde: a toxic byproductâMuch of the research on alcohol metabolism has focused on an intermediate byproduct that occurs early in the breakdown processâacetaldehyde.
1 The liver is responsible for metabolizing or breaking down alcohol. 2  Because alcohol is a toxin, even small amounts of alcohol cause fatty liver; long-term alcohol use can cause hepatitis and cirrhosis.3  When the liver must process alcohol, the ability for the body to maintain stable blood sugar levels is affected. Because alcohol is a diuretic that increases the output of urine, it can cause the loss of such water-soluble minerals such as zinc, magnesium and potassium. 2  Zinc status appears to be particularly affected by alcohol and zinc deficiency interferes with the ability to taste and smell, further limiting dietary intake.