The GI tract is exposed to very high levels of alcohol as it passes through the mouth, esophagus, stomach and intestinal tract, and most ethanol passes through the liver before entering the circulation. Alcohol levels in common drinks range from approximately 5% (1.1 M) for beer, 11-15% for wine (∼3 M) and 40% for spirits (∼9 M). The oral cavity and esophagus are directly exposed to those levels, and the liver is exposed to high levels from the portal circulation. Thus it is not surprising that diseases of the GI system, including cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and cancers of the upper GI tract are affected by alcohol consumption80-86.
