Dr. Ruslan Isaev, a psychologist and addiction specialist, points out that some snacks may make alcohol more or less harmful, and the worst combination is combining alcohol with sweets or fatty foods.
He says: “Of course, the amount of alcohol consumed and the regularity of its consumption remain much more important. But food affects the rate at which alcohol is absorbed and the processes that take place in the body. When a person drinks on an empty stomach, alcohol enters the bloodstream more quickly, leading to a higher concentration of ethanol. Eating food slows down the emptying of the stomach and the absorption of alcohol, so drinking it with food is less dangerous physiologically than drinking it on an empty stomach.”
According to him, studies indicate that food composition also plays a role, although the differences are much smaller than commonly believed.
He says: "There is an important point regarding sugar. Alcohol disrupts the normal metabolism of fats, and excess sugar, especially fructose, can be converted directly into fat in the liver. Therefore, combining alcohol with sweet, high-calorie foods creates additional conditions for developing fatty liver disease."
As for fatty foods, the situation is slightly different. When a person drinks alcohol, the liver begins to process it, which affects fat metabolism. Fatty foods add more calories and fat that the body has to process. If a person regularly combines alcohol with high-calorie foods, especially if they are overweight or have metabolic disorders, the risk of developing liver disease increases.
According to him, food alone cannot protect the liver from alcohol damage, so relying on snacks to counteract its effects is certainly not a good idea. Far more important are the amount of alcohol a person consumes and how often they drink it.
