Absorption Rate

Definition of Absorption Rate

The absorption rate of alcohol (also termed rate of absorption) is the rate the body absorbs alcohol into the blood, distributes it throughout the body tissues and ultimately eliminates it from the body. After a person consumes a small amount of alcohol, (approximately 20%) is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Thereafter, the remaining alcohol is absorbed as it moves through the gastrointestinal tract with bulk of absorption occurring in the small intestine. The amount of alcohol which is not metabolized is excreted through the body's sweat, urine, breath and saliva.

The absorption rate of alcohol can be affected by a number of factors. Fat tissue absorbs alcohol more slowly than muscle. Therefore, individuals with more muscle will absorb alcohol faster, and there will be less alcohol circulating in the bloodstream. Due to the greater percetage of fat tissue in most women, it is not uncommon for a woman to experience more significant effects from drinking alcohol than a man of equal body weight.

Absorption rate may also be dependent upon a person's size, the metabolic rate, medication, carbonation and mood. Older drinkers may be especially vulnerable to alcohol due to their loss of muscle tissue as a body ages and accompanying slower metabolism.