Originally posted by: IGBT
..As the liver converts acetaldehyde into acetic acid it reaches a saturation point, and some of the acetaldehyde escapes into the bloodstream, inhibiting normal mitochondria function and reaction, causing membrane damage, stimulating the synthesis of collagen to form scar tissue, and causing nasty hangover symptoms such as increased heart rate, headache, and nausea.
The neurons of the brain are the most adversely effected by acetaldehyde poisoning, which impairs brain function by interfering with the activity of neurotransmitters within and between the neurons. Acetaldehyde impairs memory and has been shown to be responsible for the amnesiac effects that may follow alcohol intoxication.
According to the journal Biochemistry, published by the American Chemical Society, in addition to hangovers acetaldehyde has been shown to damage certain genetic building blocks which are ultimately inserted into DNA. DNA is made up of chemicals called nucleotides which, when altered, can cause mutations that lead to cancers of the esophagus, larynx, and liver.
New research suggests that "prolonged alcohol intake beyond the capacity of detoxification of acetaldehyde in the body may increase cancer risk," according to Dr. Shinya Shibutani, a faculty member at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
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