How is alcohol absorbed?
Approximately 20% of the alcohol a person consumes is absorbed in the stomach, while roughly 80% is absorbed in the small intestine. Alcohol is water soluble. It quickly travels throughout the body via the blood stream and crosses over into organs and tissue according to their water content. Fat, skin, and resting muscle tissue do not generally have a high blood flow or water content, and therefore absorb less alcohol. The type of alcohol, amount, time frame, and stomach contents prior to and during drinking will affect the speed at which absorption takes place. When the stomach is empty, the alcohol absorbed can reach the brain within one minute.
