Dietary influences on ethanol metabolism.

Ethanol was orally administered to seven normal volunteers after three dietary control periods. Diet cycle I was high in protein and calories, cycle II was high in protein but hypocaloric, and cycle III was a combined low-protein, hypocaloric diet. Ethanol elimination was significantly altered by the changes in macronutrients. All volunteers demonstrated diminished ethanol clearance while consuming the hypocaloric diets, and further reduction was seen with an inadequate protein intake. A marked dietary influence on ethanol clearance has been demonstrated in normal male volunteers who have not been exposed to previous ethanol consumption.