Does Liquor Break Down Into Isopropyl Alcohol in the Body?

When a person consumes alcoholic beverages, it is the liver that processes the majority of the chemicals in alcohol. About 90 to 98 percent of all alcohol ingested is processed by the liver, with the remainder leaving via urination or sweating.

Absorption

• As soon as a drink is swallowed, about 25 percent of the alcohol in that drink is absorbed by the bloodstream. The bulk of the remaining percentage is absorbed through the small intestine.

Initial Processing

• As the alcohol in the bloodstream reaches the liver, it is broken down by an enzyme known as alcohol dehydrogenase, which results in acetaldehyde. The acetaldehyde is then broken down by the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase, which results in acetate. The brain, pancreas and stomach also metabolize small amounts of alcohol.

Exiting the System

• As the acetate is further metabolized, it exits the body as water and carbon dioxide. At no point in the process do commonly consumed alcoholic beverages turn into isopropyl alcohol.