At what rate does the liver break down alcohol?

The liver metabolizes alcohol at a generally accepted rate of about one standard drink per hour. This amount can vary slightly depending on individual factors such as overall health, age, and gender, but on average, the body effectively processes one standard drink in that timeframe.

A standard drink typically contains around 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is the amount generally found in a 12-ounce beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits. This consistent processing rate is crucial for understanding how alcohol affects the body and the implications for activities like driving or operating heavy machinery after consuming alcohol.

While individual variations can occur—such as differences in metabolic rates that might lead someone to process alcohol faster or slower—the baseline figure remains around one standard drink per hour for the general population. Recognizing this rate helps in evaluating alcohol consumption and its potential effects on the body over time.