Everyone knows that alcoholic beverages are harmful and their abuse causes the development of numerous pathologies.
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 the intestine 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. In addition, the synthesized ethanol increases the energy potential and stimulates metabolic processes.
The positive effect of endogenous alcohol on the human body is obvious. But several experiments conducted by scientists prove that alcoholic beverages from outside can be beneficial.
Scientists' opinion
The beneficial properties of alcohol are a hot topic that still attracts the interest of scientists in many countries. They carry out a variety of studies, during which they study the effect 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 allow themselves some alcohol are much less likely to experience a phenomenon as frequent as age, such as decreased brain activity.
A forty-year experiment was conducted in the Netherlands, during which more than 1300 people were observed. As a result, it was concluded that those who ingested alcohol in reasonable doses throughout their lives had a longer life expectancy and a lower mortality rate from heart disease.
However, there is another opinion based on the fact that all the data obtained is nothing more than a statistical miscalculation, 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 manifested only in small doses. But standards vary in different parts of the world. Therefore, in the United Kingdom, the permitted dose is 8 ml of pure alcohol per day (about 18 ml of strong alcohol or 40 ml of wine), in the USA the norm is 14 ml and in Japan - 20.
However, it is highly discouraged to drink alcohol every day. The ideal frequency is 2 to 3 times a week.
In addition, there is a maximum allowable dose, that is, the amount of alcohol that the human body is able to process. The indicator depends on many factors, including sex, weight, health status. For example, a healthy 70 kg man can drink 170 g of pure alcohol (about 0. 5 liters of vodka) a 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 benefits of alcohol in small doses?
The benefits of alcohol are mainly in the prevention of various diseases. Therefore, 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, first of all, the benefits of alcohol are just one of the existing opinions, which not all experts adhere to. And secondly, in any case, the medicinal properties of alcohol cannot be trusted and used as a remedy 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 because of ethyl alcohol, which is present in absolutely all alcoholic beverages. The greatest danger is not even ethanol itself, but the toxic products of its processing, in particular acetaldehyde, which, spreading through the body, negatively affects all of its systems.
In addition, alcohol can be harmful due to:
- various chemical additives (flavor and aroma enhancers, preservatives, dyes);
- large amounts of carbon dioxide in carbonated drinks;
- fusel oils present in low quality and counterfeit drinks.
And, of course, the damage increases as the dose you drink increases.
Reasons why you want to drink
There are many explanations for why you want to drink some alcohol every now and then. Among them are the need to relax and forget about problems for a while, the desire to support the company, the desire to break free, to become more sociable. Naturally, now we are talking about those who drink from time to time, observing the measure, and not people with alcohol dependence.
But, in addition to the psychological reasons listed, there are other explanations for the sometimes arising need for alcohol. Most of the time, this is due to the lack of any substance in the body.
If a person wants to drink alcohol, they don't need to, sometimes just knowing what to eat or drink to give the body what it needs.
What if desires become almost unbearable?
If you have a persistent urge to drink, of course you can take a small dose, but it is hardly worth drinking alcohol every time in such a situation. The best solution is to have a medical exam to understand what is causing your strong desire for alcohol.
The provisional measures may 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).
Communication with family and friends, housework, sports, an interesting activity, reading, walking help to distract the thoughts of drinking. If the desire for alcohol persists, it is worth visiting a therapist for professional advice.
What's missing from your body if you want to drink?
People often develop an inexplicable desire for products with certain tastes at first sight. Various nutritional anomalies in pregnant women are very popular. For example, many of them like chalk. This is due to changes that occur in the body and that cause the deficiency of certain substances. A similar situation is when you want alcohol - something is probably missing from your body.
The most common are:
- B vitamin deficiency;
- lack of iron;
- shortage of silicon;
- lack of protein (the most common explanation if you want vodka);
- micronutrient deficiencies (calcium, potassium, sodium).
Having determined which vitamins or minerals are missing, you should supplement your diet with them by adding products or vitamin complexes that contain them.
Can alcoholism develop from daily low-dose consumption?
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, apparently harmless beer with a low alcohol content is more addictive than spirits.
The need for alcohol will gradually increase, the doses will start to increase, as well as the frequency of ingestion. The body will adapt to the regular ethanol intake, it will include it in the metabolic processes, which will lead to physical dependence, 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 it is not healthy, is certainly less harmful. This is mainly due to the lack of fusel oils, which are found in excess in low-content drinks. In addition, the less negative impact is due to the low concentration of preservatives and various artificial additives.
Thus, you can minimize the toxic effect of alcohol on the body by consuming premium drinks from a reliable 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 both in the choice of alcohol and in the consumption process. Regulations are applied that, among other things, help to reduce the negative effects of ethanol. This includes, for example, drinking small amounts of alcohol.
Wine
Wine is credited with the most beneficial properties of any alcoholic beverage. According to the rules, the drink is drunk a little, taking advantage of the aroma and the multifaceted taste. An indispensable snack, which 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 cold, without haste. Spicy and savory snacks should be preferred dried fish or meat, cheese, seafood, nuts. It is not recommended to mix beer with other alcoholic beverages.
Cognac
High quality cognac is also known as healthy alcoholic beverages. The conditions in which this elite alcohol is consumed are very important. They help you get the most out of the exquisite aroma and rich taste of the drink.
The cognac must be at room temperature. They drink in small sips. The classic option of serving is after the main meal with a cup of coffee and a cigar. It is believed that cognac does not require a snack, but if you wish, you can serve fresh fruit and nuts with it.
Risks of drinking alcohol
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 of the time it develops:
- diseases of the liver (hepatitis, cirrhosis) and 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 neoplasms.
If the body needs alcohol, this is an alarming symptom, indicating that a bad habit has turned into a chronic illness.
Conclusion
Drinking can be beneficial. But you should not use alcohol as a medicine in case of existing illnesses. The main thing is to choose good quality alcohol, not to exaggerate the frequency of ingestion and remember to observe the dosage to avoid negative consequences.