Alcohol Dehydrogenase

Alcohol dehydrogenase is an enzyme found in the liver that helps break down alcohol in the body. When you drink alcoholic beverages, this enzyme converts ethanol (the type of alcohol in drinks) into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound. This is the first step in metabolizing alcohol. Acetaldehyde is then further broken down into less harmful substances before it's eventually eliminated from the body. The activity of alcohol dehydrogenase varies among individuals, affecting how quickly people metabolize alcohol and their overall tolerance to it, which can influence the effects of drinking.