Why alcohol can sanitize a countertop but not your bloodstream
In short: It seems like a paradox: how can a substance that kills bacteria on contact be safe for human consumption? The answer lies in the delicate balance of chemistry, concentration, and biological processing.
Alcohol functions as a disinfectant by disrupting the structures of germs, but its effectiveness depends heavily on concentration. Interestingly, 70% alcohol is often more efficient at killing microbes than pure 100% alcohol because it allows for better penetration into the cell walls.
When we drink alcohol, our bodies process it differently than a surface does. While high-concentration alcohol destroys external pathogens, the human body metabolizes ingested alcohol, meaning it does not function as an internal disinfectant.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How Can the Same Alcohol Clean Surfaces and Be a Drink?
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