Ethanol & Nutrient Depletion
What the clinical evidence reports, what it may mean, and what to discuss with your pharmacist.
Ethanol has been associated with depletion of VITAMIN C, FOLIC ACID, GLUTATHIONE and ZEAXANTHIN. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these are worth knowing about and, if you take Ethanol long-term, worth raising with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
Take more than one medication? Open the checker with Ethanol pre-loaded and add the rest to see overlapping nutrient signals.
Reported nutrient depletions with Ethanol
Each record below is shown as published in our licensed clinical database, with its evidence rating and citations. Expand a section for food sources and talking points.
VITAMIN C
Insignificant DepletionALCOHOL
Preliminary clinical evidence suggests that alcohol intake increases urinary excretion of vitamin C by 47%. In healthy patients, this increased excretion does not appear to significantly affect vitamin C status. However, in chronic alcohol abusers, particularly those who are acutely unwell or critically ill, vitamin C deficiency is common and scurvy can occur.
Vitamin C is something your body needs to heal wounds, support your immune system, and keep connective tissue strong. Alcohol can nudge the kidneys to flush out more vitamin C in the urine than usual, so some of it gets lost before the body can use it. For most people who drink occasionally or even moderately, this does not appear to meaningfully affect vitamin C levels. That said, people who drink heavily over a long period of time are in a different situation, and if that applies to you, it is worth having a conversation with your pharmacist or doctor.
What Vitamin C does & food sources
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that supports the immune system, collagen formation, and iron absorption.
Common food sources:
- Citrus fruits
- Bell peppers
- Strawberries and kiwi
- Broccoli and Brussels sprouts
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
Frank vitamin C deficiency is uncommon with a varied diet. If your diet is limited and you take an associated medication, ask your provider whether your intake is adequate.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
Vitamin C is water-soluble and generally low-risk at food-level intakes; very high supplemental doses can cause stomach upset and may not add benefit.
Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance — supplements can interact with prescription medications.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Learn more about this nutrient: Vitamin C — uses, safety & interactions
References (3)
- Faizallah R, Morris AI, Krasner N, Walker RJ. Alcohol enhances vitamin C excretion in the urine. Alcohol and Alcoholism. 1986;21(1):81-84. DOI
- Goodwin JS, Sanchez CJ, Thomas P, et al. Alcohol intake in a healthy elderly population. Am J Public Health. 1987;77(2):173-7. PubMed
- Ong J, Randhawa R. Scurvy in an alcoholic patient treated with intravenous vitamins. BMJ Case Rep. 2014;2014. PubMed
FOLIC ACID
Moderate DepletionALCOHOL (Ethanol)
Animal research and clinical evidence suggests that alcohol use decreases the intestinal absorption of folic acid by inhibiting the expression of the reduced folate carrier. For information on foods that are rich in folate, see our chart.
Folic acid is a B vitamin your body uses to build healthy cells and keep your DNA working properly, and regular alcohol use can genuinely interfere with it. The gut has a specific transporter that pulls folate out of food and into your bloodstream, and alcohol appears to dial down how well that transporter works, so less folate gets absorbed even if your diet is decent. This is rated a moderate depletion concern, meaning it does not affect everyone who drinks, but people who drink heavily or regularly are worth watching. It is a reasonable thing to bring up with your pharmacist or doctor, especially if alcohol is a regular part of your routine.
What Folic acid (folate) does & food sources
Folate is needed for cell division, red blood cell formation, and healthy fetal development.
Common food sources:
- Leafy green vegetables
- Beans, lentils, and peas
- Fortified grains and cereals
- Citrus fruits
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
Ask your provider whether folate monitoring or supplementation is appropriate for you — this matters most before and during pregnancy, and with long-term use of certain seizure or arthritis medications.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
Folate needs are individual. With some medications (for example, methotrexate), folic acid is often prescribed deliberately on a specific schedule — follow your prescriber's instructions rather than adding your own.
Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance — supplements can interact with prescription medications.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Caution: High-dose folic acid can mask vitamin B12 deficiency, so the two are often evaluated together.
Learn more about this nutrient: Folic Acid — uses, safety & interactions
References (1)
- Halsted, C. H., Villanueva, J. A., Devlin, A. M., and Chandler, C. J. Metabolic interactions of alcohol and folate. J Nutr 2002;132(8 Suppl):2367S-2372S. PubMed
GLUTATHIONE
Insufficient EvidenceALCOHOL (Ethanol)
Chronic use of alcohol has been associated with low levels of glutathione. Usually a cysteine containing supplement is used to replenish glutathione. Cysteine is converted to glutathione in the body.
Glutathione is one of your body's main antioxidants, helping protect cells from damage caused by toxins and everyday stress. Heavy or long-term alcohol use has been associated with lower glutathione levels, likely because alcohol generates harmful byproducts that the body uses glutathione up trying to neutralize. That said, the research here is still limited, so the clinical significance is not well understood. If you have questions about your alcohol use and antioxidant status, it is worth bringing up with your pharmacist or doctor.
Learn more about this nutrient: Glutathione — uses, safety & interactions
References (1)
- Herzenberg LA, De Rosa SC, Dubs JG, et al. Glutathione deficiency is associated with impaired survival in HIV disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1997;94:1967-72. PubMed
ZEAXANTHIN
Insufficient EvidenceALCOHOL (Ethanol)
In premenopausal females, drinking alcohol 30 grams daily for approximately 3 months reduced levels of plasma zeaxanthin.
Zeaxanthin is a pigment your eyes use to help protect against light damage and support sharp central vision. Some research found that women who drank roughly 30 grams of alcohol daily for a few months had lower zeaxanthin levels in their blood, possibly because alcohol interferes with how the gut absorbs certain fat-soluble nutrients like this one. That said, the evidence here is quite limited, so the clinical importance is genuinely unclear right now. If you drink regularly and have concerns about your eye health, it is worth bringing up with your doctor or pharmacist.
Learn more about this nutrient: Zeaxanthin — uses, safety & interactions
References (1)
- Forman MR, Beecher GR, Lanza E, et al. Effect of alcohol consumption on plasma carotenoid concentrations in premenopausal women: a controlled dietary study. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;62(1):131-5. PubMed
This tool is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. An association is not a diagnosis and does not mean a deficiency will occur. Always talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or supplement.
Disclaimer: This checker finds which nutrients might be depleted by prescription or over-the-counter medications. Each nutrient depletion issue is rated based on clinical significance. Use your own professional judgment prior to making clinical decisions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center Licensed records refresh weekly · last updated July 3, 2026.
More about Ethanol
What drug-induced nutrient depletion means
Some medications can, over time, lower the levels of certain vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients — through reduced absorption, increased loss, or changes in how the body uses them.
Association is not deficiency
An entry here means a depletion has been reported or studied — not that it happens to everyone, or that you are deficient. Dose, duration, diet, and your own health all matter.
Evidence varies by pair
Some drug–nutrient links (like metformin and vitamin B12) are well studied; others rest on limited or preliminary research. Each entry shows the evidence rating from our licensed clinical database.
When to ask about labs
If you take an associated medication long-term, ask your healthcare provider whether monitoring is appropriate for you. Not everyone needs testing — your provider can weigh your dose, duration, and symptoms.
Don't self-supplement blindly
Supplements are not risk-free: some can interact with medications, and some (like potassium or magnesium) can be risky with kidney disease. Talk to your pharmacist before adding anything.
Never stop a medication over this
These medications are prescribed for good reasons, and the benefit usually far outweighs a manageable nutrient consideration. Any change belongs in a conversation with your prescriber.
Food first, usually
For many nutrients, a varied diet covers the gap. Each entry lists common food sources; a supplement is a decision to make with your pharmacist or provider, not a default.
Ethanol & nutrients: FAQs
Does Ethanol deplete VITAMIN C?
Should I take a supplement because I take Ethanol?
Should I stop taking Ethanol?
Where does this information come from?
Questions about Ethanol and your nutrition?
Ask a licensed pharmacist — free, no appointment needed.
Sources & How We Checked
Nutrient depletion records for Ethanol are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database, and are displayed as published with their citations.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for drug-induced nutrient depletions, supplements, and interactions — the basis for this page.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for medication overviews across the site.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.