Everyone knows that alcoholic beverages are harmful and their abuse causes many pathologies.
But research by scientists shows that moderate alcohol consumption can have a beneficial effect on a person's physical and mental condition.
Does the body need alcohol?
The human body can produce alcohol on its own. It is called endogenous and mainly the intestines and liver are involved in production. The production rate is 8-10 g / day. Alcohol regulates the functioning of the nervous system, participates in the production of endorphins, participates in the transmission of nerve impulses, forming a natural psychological defense. In addition, synthesized ethanol increases energy potential and stimulates metabolism.
The positive effects of endogenous alcohol on the human body are obvious. But numerous experiments by scientists prove that alcoholic beverages from outside can be useful.
Opinions of scientists
The benefits of alcohol are a hot topic that is still of interest to scientists in many countries. Various studies are being conducted to examine the effects of alcohol on various systems of the human body.
French doctors have concluded that alcoholic beverages normalize cardiovascular function. U. S. experts have found that older people who occasionally drink a little alcohol are much less likely to experience a common age-related phenomenon such as decreased brain activity.
A forty-year experiment was conducted in the Netherlands, in which more than 1, 300 people were observed. As a result, they concluded that those who consumed reasonable alcohol throughout their lives had a longer life expectancy and a lower mortality rate due to heart disease.
However, there is another opinion, which is the fact that all the data obtained are merely a statistical calculation error, and in fact alcohol is harmful even in small doses.
What is a low and tolerable dose?
All scientists agree that the benefits of alcohol are only seen in small doses. But the norms are different in different parts of the world. So in the UK the permissible dose is 8 ml of pure alcohol per day (this is about 18 ml of strong alcohol or 40 ml of wine), in the United States this norm is 14 ml and in Japan it is 20.
However, he strongly refuses to drink alcohol every day. The optimal frequency is 2-3 times a week.
In addition, there is a maximum allowable dose, i. e. the amount of alcohol that the human body can process. The indicator depends on many factors, including gender, weight, and health status. For example, a healthy person weighing 70 kg can drink 170 g of pure alcohol (about 0. 5 liters of vodka) per day. With sustained abstinence from alcohol, the body recovers for at least 8 days with the negative effects of ethanol.
What are the benefits of alcohol in small doses?
The benefits of alcohol are primarily in the prevention of various diseases. So alcohol in small amounts:
- reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease;
- reduces the likelihood of ischemic stroke;
- reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
Important!It is important to note that on the one hand, the benefits of alcohol are just one of the existing opinions that not all professionals follow. Second, the healing properties of alcohol should not be relied upon and used as a medicine for existing pathologies.
What causes the harmful effects of alcohol?
The benefits and harms of any product, including alcohol, are determined by its chemical composition. Alcoholic beverages are primarily harmful due to ethyl alcohol, which is found in absolutely all alcoholic beverages. The biggest danger is not ethanol itself, but the toxic products of its processing, especially acetaldehyde, which, when spread throughout the body, negatively affect all its systems.
In addition, alcohol can be harmful due to:
- various chemical additives (flavor enhancers, preservatives, colorants);
- high levels of carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages;
- weak oils in low quality beverages and counterfeits.
And of course, the damage increases as the dose you want to drink increases.
Reasons why you want to drink
There are many explanations for wanting to drink a little alcohol at times. These include resting and forgetting problems for a while, the desire to support the company, the liberation, the desire for the sake of the company. Of course, we are now talking about those who drink from time to time, observing the measure, and not people who are addicted to alcohol.
But in addition to the psychological reasons listed, there are other explanations for the occasional need for alcohol. The most common reason for this is that there is no substance in the body.
If someone wants to drink alcohol, they don’t have to do it, sometimes it’s enough to know what to eat or drink to get the body what it needs.
What if the desire is almost stunning?
If you want to drink for a long time, you can of course take a small dose, but in such a situation it is hardly worth drinking alcohol every time. The best solution is to go through a medical examination to understand what causes your craving for alcohol.
Interim measures can be
- replace alcohol with other beverages (hot, natural juices, milk, green tea);
- Eat something (red meat, honey, salted cheese, cottage cheese, nuts or seeds, egg dishes).
Communicating with family and friends, chores, sports, interesting activities, reading, walking will help distract your thoughts from drinking. If the urge to drink persists, you may want to see a therapist for professional advice.
What is missing from your body if you want to drink?
People often have an inexplicable desire to choose products with certain tastes at first sight. Various eating disorders in pregnant women are very popular. For example, many of them have some chalk. This is due to changes in the body that cause a lack of certain substances. A similar situation is when you want alcohol - something is probably missing from your body.
The most common are
- Lack of B vitamins;
- iron deficiency;
- silicon deficiency;
- protein deficiency (most common explanation if you want vodka);
- Micronutrient deficiency (calcium, potassium, sodium)
Once you have determined which vitamins or minerals you are missing, supplement them with your products by adding products or vitamin complexes.
Can alcoholism develop due to low daily intake?
It is very important to note that the habit of drinking alcohol, even in small amounts, can lead to psychological development over time. And it doesn’t depend on the strength of the drink, on the contrary, a seemingly harmless, low-alcohol beer is more addictive than spirits.
Demand for alcohol is gradually increasing, with increasing doses and frequency of drinking. The body will adapt to the regular intake of ethanol, involving it in the metabolism, leading to physical dependence that is very difficult to get rid of.
Can good quality alcohol be harmful to health?
Any alcoholic beverage contains ethanol and is therefore a potential health hazard. Drinking good quality alcohol, if not healthy, is certainly less harmful. This is mainly due to the lack of smoke oils, which are excessive in low-quality beverages. In addition, low concentrations of preservatives and various artificial additives have a less negative effect.
So you can minimize the toxic effects of alcohol on your body by consuming premium drinks from a reputable manufacturer in small portions.
Alcohol culture
The culture of consuming alcoholic beverages has a direct impact on the consequences of alcohol consumption on the human body, as it requires a rational approach to both the choice of alcohol and the process of consumption. They implement regulations that, among other things, help reduce the negative effects of ethanol. This includes, for example, small amounts of alcohol consumption.
Bor
Wine has the best properties of any alcoholic beverage. According to the rules, the drink is a bit drunk, enjoying the aroma and varied taste. You need a snack that is chosen based on the type of drink.
Beer
Real live beer is healthy due to its high content of vitamins and minerals. The beer should be drunk slightly chilled without rushing. Spicy and savory snacks should be preferred to dried fish or meat, cheese, seafood, nuts. It is not recommended to mix beer with other alcohol.
cognac
High quality cognac is also called a healthy alcoholic beverage. The conditions under which this elite alcohol can be consumed are very important. They help you get the most out of the drink’s delicious aroma and rich flavor.
Cognac should be at room temperature. He drinks in small sips. The classic serving option is a cup of coffee and a cigar after the main meal. It is believed that cognac does not need a snack, but if you are curious, you can serve fresh fruit and nuts with it.
Risk of alcohol consumption
Regular alcohol consumption in most cases leads to alcoholism, which in turn causes many diseases. It can be affected by any organ or system, but it most often develops:
- liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) and faecal system;
- cardiovascular diseases (cardiomyopathy, heart attack);
- brain disorders;
- gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, ulcer, pancreatitis);
- pathology of the reproductive system;
- mental and neurological disorders
Ethanol also increases the risk of tumors.
When the body requires alcohol, it is an alarming symptom that indicates that the bad habit has become a chronic disease.
Conclusion
Drinking can be really helpful. But you should not use alcohol as a medicine for pre-existing conditions. The key is to choose high quality alcohol so as not to overdo the frequency of intake and remember to adhere to the dose to avoid negative consequences.