Why does eating a meal before drinking reduce the effects of alcohol?

Answer 1

Many people believe that eating before drinking will allow them to drink more without becoming intoxicated. Although food in the stomach will slow the absorption of alcohol to a degree, at the end of the day you'll be just as intoxicated. It will just take a little longer.

Answer 2

the food in your stomach absorbs some of the effects of alcohol by keeping it out of the blood-stream

Answer 3

Eating before - especially starches - slows the absorption of alcohol (note I said "slows", not "stops"). During also helps. There is an old expression: "If you're going to drink - eat".