Anti-Nutrient Action Alcohol interferes with your digestive process. When you drink, your body processes alcohol first at the expense of other, vital nutrients. Alcohol disrupts the absorption of vitamins like folate, B-1 and vitamin A. Alcohol can increase the amount of calcium excreted in our urine, which can lead to trouble maintaining bone mass and osteoperosis. Overview At high levels, alcohol depletes the body’s nutrients -- so much so that it is called an “anti-nutrient.” Maintaining your best health means not only eating a balanced, nutritious diet, but avoiding these effects by making sure you drink in moderation, if you do indulge. For many people, cutting alcohol out of their diet is the healthiest option. Consequences Nutritional deficiencies are common among alcoholics, who base much of their sustenance on alcohol alone. Those who aren’t alcoholics but are watching their weight may be tempted to compensate for the excess amount of calories in alcohol by cutting down on food, which in turn will lower their nutritional profile. According to PubMed Health, a deficiency of just one essential vitamin can cause severe and permanent damage to our bodies. Side effects of malnutrition include fatigue, dizziness and weight loss. Other Side Effects Alcohol can cause a variety of negative short-and long-term health consequences. Drinking to excess just once can cause impaired judgment, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, memory loss and shakiness. Drinking too much on a long-term basis may cause liver damage, weakening of the heart muscle and nerve and brain damage. Regularly overindulging has links to an increased risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, osteoporosis and certain cancers. Suggestions If you drink, keep your alcohol intake moderate. The recommended daily limit is one drink for women and two for men. If you drink more than that, space your drinks. This gives your body time to metabolize the alcohol in the first drink before having to process the second. Your body metabolizes approximately one drink per hour; any more than that is effectively intoxicating your body. Additionally, know your limit. There are many reasons you may be more sensitive to alcohol’s deleterious effects. You may have a lower body weight than average, a low tolerance or a health condition that affects your body’s ability to handle alcohol. If you feel you have a problem with alcohol, whether mental or physical, talk to your doctor to get the proper advice.