Everyone knows that alcoholic beverages are harmful and that their abuse provokes the development of numerous pathologies.
Research by scientists, however, shows that drinking alcohol in moderation can have positive effects on a person's physical and mental state.
Does the body need alcohol?
The human body can produce alcohol itself. It is known as endogenous and the gut and liver are primarily involved in its production. The production rate is 8-10 g per day. Alcohol regulates the functioning of the nervous system, participates in the production of endorphins, participates in the transmission of nerve impulses and forms a natural psychological defense. In addition, the synthesized ethanol increases the energy potential and stimulates metabolic processes.
The beneficial effects of endogenous alcohol on the human body are evident. However, numerous experiments carried out by scientists show that alcoholic beverages from the outside can be beneficial.
Opinion of the scientists
The beneficial properties of alcohol is a hot topic that is still attracting the interest of scientists in many countries. They conduct a variety of studies examining the effects of alcohol on various systems in the human body.
Doctors from France concluded that alcoholic beverages normalize the activity of the cardiovascular system. American experts have found that older people who sometimes indulge in alcohol are much less likely to experience such a common age-related phenomenon as decreased brain activity.
A forty year experiment was carried out in Holland during which more than 1300 people were observed. As a result, it was concluded that those who drank alcohol in reasonable doses throughout their lives had a longer life expectancy and a lower death rate from heart disease.
However, there is another opinion, based on the fact that all the data obtained are nothing more than an error in statistical calculations and alcohol is harmful even in small doses.
What is a low and tolerable dose?
All scientists agree that the benefits of alcohol only manifest themselves in small doses. But the norms vary in different parts of the world. In the UK, the permitted dose is 8 ml of pure alcohol per day (this is approximately 18 ml of strong alcohol or 40 ml of wine), in the US it is 14 ml and in Japan 20
However, it is strongly advised not to drink alcohol every day. The optimal frequency is 2-3 times a week.
In addition, there is a maximum allowable dose, ie 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 man weighing 70 kg can drink 170 g of pure alcohol (about 0. 5 liters of vodka) per day. If you abstain from alcohol for at least 8 days, the body will recover from the negative effects of ethanol.
What are the benefits of alcohol in small doses?
The main benefits of alcohol are in the prevention of various diseases. So alcohol in small amounts:
- reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases;
- reduces the likelihood of ischemic stroke;
- reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
Important!It is important to remember that firstly, the benefits of alcohol are just one of the existing opinions that not all experts adhere to. And secondly, in no case can one rely on the medicinal properties of alcohol and use it as a medicine for existing pathologies.
What makes alcohol harmful?
The advantages and disadvantages of a product, including alcohol, are determined by its chemical composition. Alcoholic beverages are harmful mainly because of ethyl alcohol, which is contained in absolutely all alcoholic beverages. The greatest danger is not even the ethanol itself, but the toxic products of its processing, especially acetaldehyde, which spreads throughout the body and negatively affects all of its systems.
In addition, alcohol can be harmful due to:
- various chemical additives (enhancers for taste and aroma, preservatives, colorings);
- large amounts of carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages;
- fusel oils in low-quality drinks and fakes.
And of course, the more the dose you drink, the greater the damage.
reasons why you
want to drinkThere are many explanations why you might want to drink some alcohol from time to time. These include the need to relax and forget about problems for a while, the desire to support the company, the desire to be set free, to be more sociable. Of course, we're now talking about those who drink from time to time watching the measure, and not about people with alcohol addiction.
In addition to the psychological reasons listed, there are other explanations for the alcohol consumption that sometimes occurs. Most often this is due to a lack of substances in the body.
If a person wants to drink alcohol, they don't have to. Sometimes it is enough to know what to eat or drink to give the body what it needs.
What if the desire becomes almost overwhelming?
Of course, if you have persistent drinking cravings, you can take a small dose, but it is hardly worth drinking alcohol every time in such a situation. The best solution is to get a medical exam to understand what is causing your excessive alcohol cravings.
Intermediate measures can be as follows:
- replace alcohol with other drinks (kvass, natural juices, milk, green tea);
- eat something (red meat, honey, salted cheese, cottage cheese, nuts or seeds, egg dishes).
Communicating with family and friends, doing housework, exercising, having an interesting activity, reading, and taking a walk will all help detract from the thoughts of drinking. If the craving for alcohol persists, it is worth seeking out a therapist for professional advice.
What is missing in your body when you want to drink?
Often, at first sight, people develop an inexplicable need for products with certain flavors. Various nutritional abnormalities in pregnant women are very popular. For example, many of them are partially interested in chalk. This is due to changes in the body that lead to a lack of certain substances. A similar situation is if you want alcohol - most likely something is missing from your body.
The most common are:
- Deficiency of B vitamins;
- iron deficiency;
- lack of silicon;
- lack of protein (the most common explanation when you want vodka);
- Micronutrient deficiency (calcium, potassium, sodium).
After determining which vitamins or minerals are missing, you should supplement your diet by adding products or vitamin complexes that contain them.
Can alcoholism develop from daily consumption of low doses?
It is very important to remember that the habit of drinking alcohol in small amounts over time can lead to the development of psychological alcohol. And it doesn't depend on the strength of the drink, on the contrary, apparently harmless low-alcohol beer is more addictive than spirits.
The need for alcohol gradually increases, the doses begin to increase, as does the frequency of drinking. The body will adapt to the regular intake of ethanol and involve it in metabolic processes, resulting in physical dependence that is very difficult to get rid of.
Can high-quality alcohol be harmful to health?
Every alcoholic beverage contains ethanol and is therefore a potential health risk. But drinking good quality alcohol, if not healthy, is certainly less harmful. This is mainly due to the lack of fusel oils, which are found in excess in low-quality drinks. A smaller negative impact is also due to the low concentration of preservatives and various artificial additives.
This is how you can minimize the toxic effects of alcohol on the body by consuming premium drinks from a trusted manufacturer in small doses.
drinking culture
The culture of drinking alcoholic beverages has a direct impact on the consequences of alcohol consumption for the human body, as an appropriate approach is required to both the choice of alcohol and the process of consumption. Regulations are being enforced which, among other things, will help reduce the negative effects of ethanol. This includes, for example, drinking small amounts of alcohol.
wine
Wine is said to have the most beneficial properties of an alcoholic drink. According to the rules, the drink is drunk a little and enjoys the aroma and multifaceted taste. An indispensable snack, chosen depending on the type of drink.
beer
Real living beer is healthy because of its high content of vitamins and minerals. Beer should be drunk slightly chilled without rushing. Spicy and salty snacks should be given preference 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 healthy alcoholic beverages. The conditions in which this elite alcohol is consumed are very important. They will help you make the most of the exquisite aroma and rich taste of the drink.
Cognac should be at room temperature. You drink it in small sips. The classic serving option is after the main meal with a cup of coffee and a cigar. Cognac is believed not to require a snack, but it can be used to serve fresh fruits and nuts if you wish.
Alcohol drinking risks
Regular alcohol consumption leads in most cases to alcoholism, which in turn causes numerous diseases. Absolutely any organ or system can be affected, but the most common development is:
- Diseases of the liver (hepatitis, cirrhosis) and the excretory system;
- cardiovascular diseases (cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction);
- brain disorders;
- gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, ulcer, pancreatitis);
- Pathology of the reproductive system;
- mental and neurological disorders.
Ethanol also increases the risk of developing neoplasms.
When the body needs alcohol, it is an alarming symptom that indicates that a bad habit has turned into a chronic disease.
Conclusion
Drinking can actually be beneficial. However, you should not use alcohol as a medicine for existing diseases. The main thing is to choose quality alcohol, not to overdo it with the frequency of intake, and to observe the dosage in order to avoid negative consequences.