20 Things You Didn't Know About... Alcohol

You can stash it in your muscles, you can make it in your intestines, and you can find it in space

By Leeaundra Keany
Jan 10, 2012 12:00 AMOct 15, 2019 5:40 PM
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michaeljung / Shutterstock

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1  Sobering disclaimer: The family of compounds known as alcohols are all toxins that can kill you, whether instantly, quickly, or gradually.

2  Yet one of them—ethyl alcohol, or ethanol—is a staple of the human diet. Archaeologist Patrick McGovern speculates that fermented beverages were made as early as 100,000 years ago, when people first spread out of Africa.

3  The seeds Johnny Appleseed sold to farmers throughout Ohio and Indiana produced apples that were inedible, but perfect for making hard cider.

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