Which statement best describes how alcohol contributes to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance?

• A. Alcohol increases water retention in the body.
• B. Alcohol inhibits antidiuretic hormone (ADH) release, increasing urine production and dehydration.
• C. Alcohol has no effect on hydration.
• D. Alcohol directly absorbs water from the bloodstream.

Answer: (B)

Alcohol disrupts hydration by interfering with antidiuretic hormone, which normally tells the kidneys to conserve water. When alcohol is present, ADH release is inhibited, so the kidneys excrete more water into the urine. This increased urine production leads to fluid loss, which can cause dehydration and disturb electrolyte balance since electrolytes ride along with body water. In other words, the main idea is that alcohol’s diuretic effect—reducing ADH and boosting urine output—drives dehydration and electrolyte shifts.

The other ideas don’t fit the biology: claiming alcohol increases water retention contradicts the known diuretic effect; saying there’s no hydration impact ignores the clear influence on urine output; and suggesting alcohol directly absorbs water from the bloodstream doesn’t reflect how fluids and electrolytes are managed by the kidneys.