What can alcohol abuse lead to in terms of malnutrition?

Alcohol abuse can lead to malnutrition primarily by displacing essential nutrients in the diet. When individuals consume excessive amounts of alcohol, they often replace nutritious foods with alcoholic beverages, which are high in calories but low in essential nutrients. This displacement means that they may not be obtaining vital vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients that are necessary for overall health.

Furthermore, alcohol can interfere with the body's ability to absorb, metabolize, and utilize nutrients. It can damage the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, impairing nutrient absorption and leading to deficiencies. Chronic alcohol consumption may also result in liver damage, affecting the liver's ability to synthesize proteins and process carbohydrates and fats effectively.

The consequence of these factors is a compounded risk of malnutrition, as essential nutrients are either not consumed or are not adequately utilized by the body, underpinning the correctness of this answer.