What is acetaldehyde?

Acetaldehyde is a highly toxic substance that can damage and kill cells indiscriminately. It is produced in the body during the metabolism of alcohol, where ethanol is first converted to acetaldehyde and then to acetate. Acetaldehyde itself is particularly harmful as it is considered even more toxic than the ethanol from which it is derived. This conversion process primarily takes place in the liver, and the liver cells are particularly susceptible to damage from acetaldehyde 1.