Alcohol and STOMACH: How is the stomach affected by alcohol?

One in three suffer after consuming alcohol

Of those who suffer from IBS, more than one in three people state that they have moderate, severe, or very severe symptoms after consuming alcohol. Few other foods cause as much inconvenience. 

The majority of the alcohol we drink goes quickly into the bloodstream (20% already through the stomach and the remaining 80% via the small intestine) and IBS problems are mainly in the large intestine.

Once in the blood, alcohol has several well-known effects on various organs in the body, not least on the brain, which can be discussed from many aspects, but how are the different parts of the gastrointestinal tract affected by alcoholic beverages?
Several scientific studies over the years have shown that different types of alcoholic beverages can also have different effects on the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to the alcohol content, factors such as pH and other ingredients in the drink also seem to be of great importance for the effects the drink has on the gastrointestinal tract.

Effects on the stomach

Gastric acid secretion is affected

When alcohol reaches the stomach, gastrin* and gastric acid secretion may be affected. This can cause immediate or more prolonged damage to the lining of the stomach. There seems to be a big difference between different types of alcoholic beverages. 

Fermented alcoholic beverages

Fermented alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, champagne, martini, and sherry (with up to 5% alcohol) are the beverages that increase acid secretion (gastrin release) the most. 

These drinks have been shown to increase acid production up to 5 times more than control drinks.

What may be surprising is that other fermented but subsequently distilled beverages such as whiskey, brandy, rum, and other liqueurs such as Armagnac, calvados, and Cointreau with a higher alcohol content than 5% do not increase or even inhibit acid secretion. So it seems here that when it comes to alcohol and the stomach, it does not only depend on the alcohol content but it may be that the distillation itself removes the substances that so strongly contribute to the increased acid secretion. Alternatively, something is added during the distillation process which instead inhibits the acid secretion.

While wine can give a greater increase in gastric acid production than stronger alcoholic beverages, it has however been shown to have a superior ability to protect against certain negative bacteria such as the gastric ulcer bacterium Helicobacter Pylori and other pathogenic bacteria. This beneficial effect was seen to be significantly better than manufactured solutions of the same pH and alcohol content or other beverages such as beer, coca-cola, or stronger spirits. 

Acid reflux may occur

It is also the pharynx, esophagus, and gastric mucosa that may take the ‘shock’ of the alcohol before it is mixed with other food/drink and eventually absorbed into the bloodstream. The mucous membranes in the throat and esophagus are irritated by the alcohol, and together with the relaxed muscles (also an effect of the alcohol), they increase the risk of heartburn, a so-called acid reflux (stomach acid is allowed to travel back up to the throat). A symptom that bothers many who drink alcohol – even those who do not suffer from IBS.

Effect on the bowel movements

The alcohol content itself has been shown to affect bowel movements. A relatively low intake of alcohol increases intestinal emptying and thus also increases the risk of diarrhea (due to impaired absorption of nutrients, water, and salt), while a high alcohol intake instead reduces bowel movements and makes bowel emptying slower (constipation).

More factors than the alcohol content affect the stomach

In summary, it can be said that when it comes to alcohol and the stomach, there seem to be more factors than the alcohol content that affect the stomach (and digestion). Different amounts and types of alcohol can have exactly opposite effects on bowel movements. The general advice that is often given to IBS patients is to handle food and drink with moderation and balance and this applies even to alcoholic beverages. If you discover that it is precisely alcohol that causes the worsening of your digestive problems, there are today many very good non-alcoholic alternatives.

*Gastrin – a hormone that is produced in the stomach and provides increased production of gastric juice with, among other things, hydrochloric acid.