[The extent to which ethanol absorption is influenced by an alteration of gastric emptying (author's transl)].

Gastric emptying of a 500ml liquid test meal containing 6.2% ethanol and phenol red was studied on two consecutive days in a group of persons without gastroduodenal disease. On the first day an aqueous ethanol solution was administered, whilst on the second day a solution of ethanol in 10% glucose was given in order to delay gastric emptying. Twenty minutes after introduction of the test meal by tube, the gastric contents were recovered by aspiration and a gastroscopic examination was performed. Simultaneously, the amount of ethanol absorbed by the stomach, as well as the ethanol level in the peripheral venous blood was determined over a period of 10 to 90 minutes. Considerable individual variations were observed both in respect to the gastric emptying rate and the level of blood ethanol during the absorptive phase. The absorption rate and blood ethanol curvetion rate and blood ethanol during the absorptive phase. The absorption rate and blood ethanol curve were markedly reduced as a result of a delay in gastric emptying. The tolerance to alcohol may be greatly influenced by the rate of gastric emptying and, consequently, by the composition of alcholic beverages, drinking habits, and food intake.