Everyone knows that alcoholic beverages are harmful and their abuse causes the development of numerous diseases.
But research by scientists shows that drinking alcohol in moderation can have a beneficial effect on a person's physical and mental state.
Does the body need alcohol?
The human body is capable of producing alcohol on its own. It is called endogenous and mainly intestines and liver are 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, forming a natural psychological defense. Furthermore, the synthesized ethanol increases the energy potential and stimulates metabolic processes.
The positive effect of endogenous alcohol on the human body is evident. But numerous experiments by scientists show that alcoholic beverages from outside can be useful.
Scientists opinion
The beneficial properties of alcohol are a hot topic that still attracts the interest of scientists in many countries. They conduct a series of studies, during which they study the effect of alcohol on various systems of the human body.
French doctors have concluded that alcoholic beverages normalize the activity of the cardiovascular system. American experts have found that older people who indulge in a little alcohol at times are much less likely to experience such a frequent age-related phenomenon as decreased brain activity.
A forty-year experiment was conducted in the Netherlands, during which more than 1300 people were observed. Consequently, it was concluded that those who consumed 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 in fact alcohol is harmful even in small doses.
What is the low and tolerable dose?
All scientists agree that the benefits of alcohol are manifested only in small doses. But the rules in different parts of the world vary. So, in the UK, the allowable dose is 8 ml of pure alcohol per day (this is about 18 ml of strong alcohol or 40 ml of wine), in the US the norm is 14 ml, and in Japan - 20.
However, drinking alcohol every day is strongly discouraged. The optimal frequency is 2-3 times a week.
In addition, there is a maximum allowable dose, which is the amount of alcohol that the human body is able to process. The indicator depends on many factors, including gender, weight, state of health. For example, a healthy man weighing 70 kg can drink 170 g of pure alcohol (about 0. 5 liters of vodka) per day. Subject to continuous abstinence from alcohol for at least 8 days, the body will recover from the negative effects of ethanol.
What are the advantages of alcohol in small doses?
The benefits of alcohol are mainly in the prevention of various diseases. So alcohol in small quantities:
- reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease;
- reduces the likelihood of ischemic stroke;
- reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
Important!It is important to remember that, in the first place, the benefits of alcohol are only one of the existing opinions, which not all experts adhere to. And secondly, in any case, one cannot rely on the medicinal properties of alcohol and use it as a medicine for existing pathologies.
What makes alcohol harmful?
The benefits and harms of any product, including alcohol, are determined by its chemical composition. Alcoholic beverages are harmful mainly due to ethyl alcohol, which is present in all alcoholic beverages. The greatest danger is not even ethanol itself, but the poisonous products of its processing, in particular acetaldehyde, which, spreading throughout the body, negatively affects all its systems.
Also, alcohol can be harmful due to:
- various chemical additives (flavor and aroma intensifiers, preservatives, dyes);
- large amounts of carbon dioxide in carbonated drinks;
- fuselage oils found in low quality beverages and counterfeits.
And, of course, the damage increases the more you drink.
Reasons why you want to drink
There are many explanations as to why you want to drink some alcohol from time to time. Among these are the need to relax and forget about problems for a while, the desire to support the company, the desire to be liberated, to become more sociable. Of course, now let's talk about those who drink from time to time, observing the measure, and not about people with alcohol addiction.
But besides the psychological reasons listed, there are other explanations for the sometimes arising need for alcohol. Most often this is due to a lack of substances in the body.
If a person wants to drink alcohol, he doesn't need to, sometimes knowing what to eat or drink is enough to get the body what it needs.
What if the cravings become almost overwhelming?
If you have a persistent desire to drink, you can of course take a small dose, but it's not worth drinking alcohol every time in such a situation. Your best bet is to have a medical examination to figure out what is causing your strong craving for alcohol.
The provisional measures can be the following:
- replace alcohol with other drinks (kvass, natural juices, milk, green tea);
- eat something (red meat, honey, salty cheese, cottage cheese, nuts or seeds, egg dishes).
Communication with family and friends, household chores, sports, an interesting activity, reading, a walk will help distract from the thoughts of drinking. If the craving for alcohol persists, it is worth visiting a therapist for professional advice.
What is missing in your body if you want to drink?
Often people develop an inexplicable craving for products with certain tastes at first sight. Various nutritional abnormalities in pregnant women are very popular. For example, many of them are partial to plaster. This is due to changes occurring in the body that cause a deficiency of certain substances. A similar situation is when you want alcohol - most likely something is missing in your body.
The most common are:
- deficiency of B vitamins;
- lack of iron;
- silicon deficiency;
- lack of protein (the most common explanation if you want vodka);
- micronutrient deficiencies (calcium, potassium, sodium).
Having determined which vitamins or minerals are deficient, you should supplement your diet with them by adding vitamin products or complexes that contain them.
Can alcoholism develop from the daily consumption of low doses?
It is very important to remember that the habit of drinking alcohol, even in small quantities, over time can lead to the development of a psychological one. And it does not depend on the strength of the drink, on the contrary, seemingly harmless low-alcohol beer is addictive faster than alcohol.
The alcohol requirement will gradually increase, the doses will begin to rise, as will the frequency of alcohol consumption. The body will adapt to the regular intake of ethanol, will include it in metabolic processes, which will lead to physical addiction, which is very difficult to get rid of.
Can high quality alcohol be harmful to health?
Any alcoholic beverage contains ethanol and is therefore a potential health hazard. But drinking high-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. Furthermore, a less negative impact is due to the low concentration of preservatives and various artificial additives.
This way you can minimize the toxic effect of alcohol on the body by consuming premium drinks from a trusted manufacturer in small doses.
Culture of drinking
The culture of alcohol consumption has a direct impact on the consequences of alcohol consumption for the human body, as it requires a reasonable approach to both the choice of alcohol and the drinking process. Regulations are enforced which, among other things, help reduce the negative effects of ethanol. These include, for example, drinking small amounts of alcohol.
Wine
Wine is attributed the most beneficial properties of any alcoholic beverage. According to the rules, the drink is drunk a little, enjoying the aroma and multifaceted taste. An unmissable snack, which is chosen according to the type of drink.
Beer
True live beer is healthy thanks to its high content of vitamins and minerals. The beer should be drunk slightly chilled, without rushing. Spicy and salty snacks should be preferred dried fish or meat, cheese, seafood, nuts. It is not recommended to mix beer with other spirits.
Cognac
High quality cognac is also referred to as healthy alcoholic beverages. The conditions under which this elite alcohol is drunk are very important. They help you get the most out of the drink's exquisite aroma and intense taste.
The cognac should be at room temperature. They 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 if you wish, you can serve fresh fruit and nuts with it.
Risks related to alcohol consumption
Regular consumption of alcohol in most cases leads to alcoholism, which in turn causes numerous diseases. Absolutely any organ or system can be affected, but most often it develops:
- diseases of the liver (hepatitis, cirrhosis) and of the excretory 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 developing cancer.
If the body requires alcohol, this is an alarming symptom, which indicates that a bad habit has turned into a chronic disease.
Conclusion
Drinking can actually be helpful. But you shouldn't use alcohol as a medicine in case of existing diseases. The important thing is to choose high quality alcohol, do not overdo the frequency of consumption and remember to observe the dosage to avoid negative consequences.