>> |
Anonymous
>>25009
Yes, and No.
Alcohol Dehydrogenase oxidizes ethanol to acetaldehyde, yes. However, in a healthy individual, that acetaldehyde is rapidly oxidized again to acetyl-CoA by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. The acetyl-CoA then feeds into the Krebs cycle, where it is converted to energy carrier coenzymes, hence the caloric value of ethanol.
Some individuals, particularly those of asian descent, have mutations in their alcohol dehydrogenase or acetaldehyde dehydrogenase that can lead to the accumulation of larger than normal concentrations of acetaldehyde. This is responsible for a worse-than-normal hangover in these individuals. In individuals without this mutation, the primary cause of hangover is dehydration, with hypoglycemia second, and acetaldehyde a distant third.
|