What does blood alcohol content (BAC) measure?

Blood alcohol content (BAC) measures the amount of alcohol in a person's blood, expressed as a percentage. This measurement is crucial because it quantifies how much alcohol is present relative to the total volume of blood in the body. A higher BAC percentage indicates a greater concentration of alcohol, which can correlate with varying levels of impairment and intoxication.

Understanding BAC is important for various legal and health-related assessments, especially in contexts such as driving under the influence (DUI) laws. While options involving the amount of alcohol consumed, level of intoxication, or rate of absorption relate to alcohol consumption, they do not specifically define what BAC quantifies. BAC directly reflects the alcohol concentration in the bloodstream, making it a key metric for evaluating the effects of alcohol on the body and behavior.