Did you know that your food intake can play a big role in how your body handles alcohol? 

After consuming alcohol, it arrives first at the stomach and then continues on to the small intestine, where the majority of absorption into the bloodstream takes place. If you drink alcohol on an empty stomach, it will quickly pass into your small intestine, and ultimately be quickly absorbed. Alternatively, having food in your stomach will delay the transit and slow absorption.

We recommend eating at least one hour before drinking, and focusing on foods that are rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Each of these nutrients are complex and subsequently takes the body longer to break down. In turn, the movement of contents from the stomach into the small intestine slows, delaying the process of alcohol absorption. Examples of meals include: salmon with brown rice and roasted vegetables or whole grain pasta with meatballs (beef- or lentil-based) and a side salad.

Learn more here: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/amh/if-amh-alcohol-and-the-human-body.pdf