Cooking with alcohol?

[Gemma68]

I was diagnosed with AIH in August 2011. Not drinking alcohol is not a problem as I was never a huge drinker in the first place. My partner cooked a pork joint in apple cider in a slow cooker the other day so it took eight hours. Is it safe to cook with alcohol at all?

[nickprich]

I'm sure that, after eight hours, the alcohol in the cider would have evaporated. This also happens when you put alcohol in dishes such as risotto when it's 'cooked off' by rapid boiling at high temperature.

[Gemma68 in reply to nickprich]

Many thanks nickprich, I was getting a bit concerned.

[findasolution]

You could probably extend that to questioning the risks of the daily use of alcohol based mouth wash. Personally I would not think the risk, if any, are all that high if it is a case of AIH that is being controlled by medication although the case might be different when cirrhosis is also involved.

I always avoid anything that has alcohol as an ingredient but then I am not a doctor and do not really know whether that is right or wrong but in event always prefer to be cautious.

[Hidden]

The trace amount, if any, of alcohol left after cooking should not cause an issue for people who do not have cirrhosis caused by alcohol--same with mouthwash as long as you are not drinking it. For patients with any type of alcohol induced liver issues, ALL alcohol should be avoided.

[witchiegirl]

Over the festive season I had an interesting chat with my 18 yo son on this theme. I was wondering if I could have mulled wine if the wine was boiled! My husband thought this a dreadful waste of 'good' wine. My son, a wannabee scientist, reckoned boiling with the lid on would mean the vapours would continue to contain alcohol, albeit probably in trace amounts, but would go back into the pan. In the end I discovered I could make palatable mulled 'wine' with grape juice, which tastes more like warm spicy ribena! Of course, as I've only just had the most recent biopsy, I don't know that i don't have cirrhosis. As others have said too, it would be different for those whose illness is alcohol-induced (mine is autoimmune), where avoiding all alcohol is much more important.