Why can we digest ethanol but not methanol?
GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer
The human body can metabolize both, but with very different results. Ethanol is processed by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase into acetaldehyde, then acetic acid (like vinegar), which is relatively harmless. Methanol is processed into formaldehyde and formic acid, both highly toxic compounds that damage the optic nerve and vital organs. Interestingly, ethanol can be used as an antidote for methanol poisoning because it competes for the same enzyme.
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