# Alcohol and appetite.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-and-appetite/170515>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 23, 2003, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-and-appetite/170515 "2003-04-23T03:49:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2003, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-and-appetite/170515/1 "2003-04-23T03:49:27Z")

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You would think someone like me would/should know this but I’m not sure: why does alcohol enhance ones appetite? What exactly is happening **physiologically**? 3 glasses of wine and I could eat a medium size deer.

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**Author:** ![Aankh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@Aankh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aankh)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2003, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcohol-and-appetite/170515/2 "2003-04-23T04:20:36Z")

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this is what i think.

alcohol is treated by the body as a toxin, and on ingestion, the liver attempts to clean the system of it. but the liver also regulates blood glucose levels, so while it is purging the system of alcohol, one’s blood glucose level falls. the human brain relies ONLY on blood glucose for energy, unlike the rest of the body which can also use lipids in cells. so, a fall in blood glucose level has a prompt effect on brain functioning. i don’t exactly know what neurotransmitters get secreted (orexin, i think), but they do get secreted and hunger is the result.

the technical term, i believe, is glucoprivic hunger.  
(oooh…arent i smart for a psych major! _pleased with self_)