Transcript Hangover Hell - Winona State University

Hangover Hell
 By:
 Names of Team
Members
Introduction
 Chemistry of a hangover
 Ways to prevent a hangover
 What you should do when you
come across a much hated
hangover
Alcohol is a Organic
Compound
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Ethyl alcohol (ethanol)
CH3CH2OH
Alcohol found in beverages
Main method for production is
fermentation
 Miscible in water (homogeneous mixture)
 Low molecular weight (easy to cross
blood-brain membrane)
Alcohol in the Body
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Approx. 20% is absorbed in stomach
Approx. 80% in small intestine
Absorbed into bloodstream
Gastric emptying is most important factor
of absorption rate
 Food, no matter what kind, affects this
rate
 Also strenuous physical activity
Alcohol is Catalyzed
 Alcohol reaches bloodstream where it is
catalyzed.
 CH3CH2OH + NAD+  CH3CHO + NADH + H+
 Product is Acetaldehyde
 Toxic, Causes liver damage, creates nausea, and
dilates bloodvessels in head to create headache
 Finally Oxidized to Acetic Acid
 Normal to humans
Variety of Factors also
Contribute
 Alcohol is diuretic (makes you
urinate) which causes dehydration
 Metabolic byproducts
 Various other organic molecules in
drinks
 Some drinks also contain methanol
Methanol
 Found in fruit based beverages such as wine
and brandy
 Catalyzed to Formaldehyde rather than
Acetaldehyde
 Then converted to Formic Acid
 Formaldehyde
 Excessive amounts cause death
 May lead to blindness
 Causes much worse hangover
Ways to Prevent The Hated
Hangover
 1. Don’t mix different types of
drinks.
 2. If possible, drink “clear” alcohols.
 3. Ladies, don’t try to be a hero and
compete with the guys.
 4. Dark colored alcohols have small
quantities of other toxic substances
or congeners that are created during
the fermentation process.
 5. Drink plenty of water.
What Do You Do When You
Have A Hangover?
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1. Don’t try to drink more.
2. Again, this can’t be stressed
enough……drink plenty of water or
other fluids but avoid orange or
grapefruit juice.
3. Eat light, nutritious foods for most
of the day after and stay away from
greasy, fatty foods.
4. Avoid the sauna to relieve a
hangover.
What to do……continued
 5. A drug called Liv52, an herbal
remedy (Himalaya Drug Co., India) has
been demonstrated to decrease the
symptoms of a hangover.
 6. Over the counter medications like
aspirin and ibuprofen are frequently
used by hangover sufferers.
 7. Just lay low for the day.
Bibliography Page
 Boggen, Bill. Alcohol Chemistry. 2003. Kennesaw State
University.
28 Mar. 2005 <http://chemcases.com>.
Karpman, Benjamin. The Hangover. Springfield:
Charles C Thomas,
1957. 7-526.
Minocha, Anil. Alcohol Hangover. 1999. 28 Mar. 2005
<http://diagnosishealth.com>.
Questions or Comments?