Summary
Alcohol is both water soluble and fat soluble, allowing it to pass into all cells and tissues in the body. There are three main types of alcohol: isopropyl, methyl, and ethyl alcohol. Only ethyl alcohol or ethanol is fit for human consumption. When ingested, ethanol is converted into acetylaldehyde, a toxic substance that damages and kills cells. This conversion process involves the molecule NAD and related biochemical pathways. To deal with the toxicity of acetylaldehyde, the body uses the NAD pathway to convert it into acetate, which can be used as fuel. However, acetylaldehyde can build up if the conversion process is not fast enough, causing more damage to cells.