What does alcohol do to your liver?
The science behind liver values
broken down in the liver
chronic alcohol use
glass processing time
Your liver is one of the hardest working organs in your body. Every day it filters waste products, produces proteins, and regulates your blood sugar. But when it comes to alcohol, the liver faces a particular challenge — one that, with regular use, leaves its mark.
As soon as you drink a glass of wine or beer, the alcohol is absorbed into the blood through the stomach and small intestine and transported to the liver. The liver is responsible for breaking down about 90% of all consumed alcohol. This process occurs in two steps.
The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) converts alcohol into acetaldehyde. This substance is 10–30 times more toxic than alcohol itself and causes most of the cell damage.
Acetaldehyde is further broken down into the relatively harmless acetate, which the body can use as an energy source. This process requires glutathione.
The liver can typically process only one standard glass of alcohol per hour . If you drink faster, the toxic acetaldehyde accumulates in the blood — and you feel it the next morning.
Liver values are blood values that doctors use to assess how well the liver is functioning. When liver cells are damaged, these enzymes leak into the bloodstream — a signal that the liver is working harder than normal.
| Liver value | What it measures | Normal value |
|---|---|---|
| ALAT (ALT) | Liver cell damage | < 45 U/L |
| ASAT (AST) | Liver and muscle cell damage | < 40 U/L |
| GGT (gamma-GT) | Gallbladder and alcohol use | < 55 U/L |
| Bilirubin | Breakdown of red blood cells | < 17 µmol/L |
Occasional drinking gives the liver time to recover. But with regular or excessive use, a pattern of damage can develop that progresses in three phases:
The liver stores fat as a byproduct of alcohol processing. Fully reversible in the early stage with alcohol reduction.
With persistent excessive use, liver cells can become inflamed. Accompanied by fatigue, nausea, and sometimes pain in the upper right abdomen.
Liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue. Largely irreversible and structurally affects liver function.
A key figure in liver protection is glutathione — the most common antioxidant in the human body. Glutathione neutralizes the toxic acetaldehyde and the free radicals released during alcohol processing.
The more alcohol, the less glutathione is available for protection — and the more damage the liver incurs. NAC supplementation helps break this cycle by replenishing glutathione stores.
In addition to moderating alcohol consumption, there are proven strategies to actively support the liver: cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts) for sulforaphane, adequate hydration, and targeted supplements like NAC (600 mg/day) for glutathione support.
Support your liver daily
Livera Shield combines 600 mg NAC, glutathione, and BroccoPhane® for comprehensive liver support — scientifically backed, usable daily.
View Livera Shield →Livera Shield is a dietary supplement. This article does not replace medical advice. Consult a doctor for concerns or questions about your liver values.
