Q: Is it OK to drink wine on an empty stomach?—Trevor, Toronto
A: Moderate wine consumption has been linked to many potential health benefits, including to your gut. There are also gastrointestinal health risks to drinking alcohol, particularly in excess, including constipation and diarrhea. It’s a common belief that it’s unwise, or perhaps even unsafe, to drink on an empty stomach. What do the experts say?
Is It Harmful to Drink on an Empty Stomach?
Dr. Carol Murakami, spokesperson for the American Gastroenterological Association, told Wine Spectator that it’s generally OK to drink on an empty stomach, “but alcohol will enter the bloodstream more quickly than if there were food in the stomach.”
Having food in the stomach prevents alcohol from passing quickly to the small intestine, where it is rapidly absorbed. This delaying has the added benefit of allowing the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which is present in the stomach lining, to begin breaking down some of the alcohol.
Drinking on an empty stomach results in more rapid intoxication as well as higher overall blood alcohol content (BAC), both of which are associated with health risks. Dr. Murakami adds that drinking on an empty stomach can even “[increase] the risk of developing irritation of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.”
Is It Best to Drink Before or After Eating?
Dr. Rami El Abiad and Dr. Mohamad Mokadem, gastroenterologists at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, told Wine Spectator that “normally, the stomach helps slow down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, but without food present, alcohol can pass through the lining of the stomach and enter the bloodstream faster.”
The rapid rise in BAC can lead to the “faster onset of alcohol-induced side effects,” and it may increase your chances of waking up with a hangover. They say it’s “generally recommended to eat before or while consuming alcohol to help mitigate alcohol’s negative effects.”
Studies have shown that consuming wine with a meal may maximize its potential health benefits. Particularly when consumed together with healthy foods, wine may help with weight control, provide cardiovascular benefits and more.
As always, talk to your healthcare provider about incorporating wine into a healthy lifestyle.—Kenny Martin
