Nutrition
Although alcohol has calories, it cannot be regarded as a food product because it does not supply any nutrients. Partly as a result of this supply of calories, chronic drinkers do not feel hungry, which can lead to deficits of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Deficient nutrition can result in atrophy of the small intestine, causing resorption malfunctioning. An adequate diet cannot prevent the various forms of malnutrition. Alcohol use also diminishes the senses of taste and smell, which can affect eating habits.
Alcohol and malnutrition can cause confusion and impaired memory that mimic senile dementia. This dementia decreases dramatically with sobriety.
The major nutrient deficiencies associated with alcohol use are in vitamin B1 and folic acid. Vitamin B1 deficiency can result in polyneuropathy and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. The symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome include psychic disturbances, disorientation, memory disturbances, confabulations, and retinal bleeding. Unless treated with high doses of vitamin B1, this syndrome is fatal. Folic acid deficiency can result in anemia.