Effect of Oral Glucose on the Rate of Metabolism of Ethanol in Humans

We have tested whether the effect of carbohydrate on the rate of alcohol metabolism can be reproduced by glucose alone. Ten male subjects were given ethanol by intravenous infusion until a steady state was established and 100 g glucose in solution was then taken orally. The rate of alcohol metabolism, measured as the rate of infusion required to maintain a constant breath alcohol reading, increased significantly after glucose but there were differences between the subjects. The presence or absence of a change in the rate of alcohol metabolism after glucose was associated with the subject's fasting rate and with their glucose tolerance.