How many standard drinks does the liver process per hour?

The liver is generally capable of processing approximately one standard drink per hour. This rate is an important aspect of understanding how alcohol affects the body. A standard drink in New Zealand is defined as one that contains 10 grams of pure alcohol, which is approximately the amount found in a typical beer, a glass of wine, or a shot of spirits.

This processing rate is crucial for responsible drinking as it underscores the importance of pacing consumption to allow the body to metabolize alcohol effectively. While individual factors such as body weight, sex, and overall health can influence how quickly someone metabolizes alcohol, the general guideline remains that about one standard drink can be processed in one hour. This information is essential for those in the hospitality industry, as it helps inform practices around serving alcohol and assessing when individuals may be reaching impairment.