Science · Health Science
What Alcohol Does to the Body
Reading comprehension passage and printable worksheet about the effects of alcohol on the brain, liver, and body — for grades 4–8.
Subject
Science
Grade Level
Grades 3–8
Resource Type
Lesson Plan
Format
Lesson + PDF
Reading Passage
What Alcohol Does to the Body
Alcohol is a drug found in beverages such as beer, wine, and liquor. When a person drinks alcohol, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and carried throughout the body. Alcohol affects many organs, but it has the most powerful effects on the brain. Because the brain controls every part of the body, alcohol’s effects spread far beyond where it enters.
The brain controls thinking, balance, coordination, and judgment. Alcohol slows down the signals that the brain sends to the rest of the body. A person who has been drinking may have trouble walking in a straight line, speaking clearly, or making good decisions. Even small amounts of alcohol can affect the brain’s ability to function normally.
The liver is the organ responsible for breaking down alcohol in the body. The liver can process only a small amount of alcohol per hour. If a person drinks more alcohol than the liver can handle, the alcohol builds up in the bloodstream. Over time, heavy drinking can cause serious liver diseases, including cirrhosis, in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue.
Alcohol also affects the heart and blood vessels. Drinking large amounts of alcohol over time can weaken the heart muscle, raise blood pressure, and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. The stomach lining can become irritated and inflamed from alcohol, causing nausea and vomiting. Alcohol can also damage the pancreas, the organ that regulates blood sugar.
Young people are at greater risk from alcohol than adults because their brains are still developing. Drinking during adolescence can interfere with brain development and increase the risk of alcohol dependence later in life. It is illegal for people under 21 to drink alcohol in the United States. Learning about the harmful effects of alcohol helps young people make informed decisions about their health.
Printable Worksheet
Printable PDF · 4 pages
What Alcohol Does to the Body Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Printable worksheet includes the reading passage and comprehension questions about how alcohol affects the brain, liver, heart, and body. Includes answer key.
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