On average, the human body can dispose of the alcohol in a 12-ounce beer in about:
One hour.
One day.
Five minutes.
Five hours.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: One hour.
Explanation:
The human body processes alcohol at an average rate of about one standard drink per hour. A “standard drink” contains approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is the amount typically found in a 12-ounce beer with about 5% alcohol by volume (ABV). While the specific rate can vary depending on factors like age, weight, gender, and overall health, the body generally processes alcohol at a steady rate of around 0.015% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) per hour.
When you consume a 12-ounce beer, the alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine. The liver then breaks down and eliminates it. This process relies on enzymes, primarily alcohol dehydrogenase, which metabolizes the alcohol. However, the liver can only process alcohol at a fixed rate, typically around 0.6 ounces of alcohol per hour.
The time it takes to metabolize alcohol can vary due to factors such as:
- Body size and weight: Larger individuals may have a higher volume of blood and more enzymes to process alcohol.
- Gender: Women generally have a higher body fat percentage and less of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, making them process alcohol more slowly.
- Health conditions: Liver function and overall health can significantly affect alcohol metabolism.
- Food intake: Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach leads to faster absorption and a higher peak BAC, whereas food in the stomach can slow down this process.
It’s important to note that drinking more than one standard drink per hour will cause the body to accumulate alcohol faster than it can be metabolized, leading to intoxication and potentially dangerous levels of alcohol in the bloodstream.
In summary, the average human body can dispose of the alcohol in a 12-ounce beer in about one hour, but this rate can be influenced by various individual factors.