Everyone knows that alcoholic beverages are harmful and their abuse can lead to a variety of pathologies.
But research by scientists shows that moderate alcohol consumption can have a positive effect on a person's physical and mental state.
Does the body need alcohol?
The human body is able to produce alcohol on its own. It is called endogenous and mainly the intestines and liver are involved in its production. Production rate is 8-10 g per day. Alcohol regulates the function of the nervous system, participates in the production of endorphins, participates in the transmission of nerve impulses, forms a natural psychological defense. In addition, synthesized ethanol increases energy potential and stimulates metabolic processes.
The positive effects of endogenous alcohol on the human body are obvious. But many experiments by scientists prove that alcoholic beverages from outside can be beneficial.
Scientist Opinion
The beneficial properties of alcohol are a hot topic that is still of interest to scientists in many countries. They conducted various studies, in which they studied the effects of alcohol on various systems of 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 occasionally allow themselves to drink less alcohol tend to experience frequent age-related phenomena such as decreased brain activity.
Forty-year experiments were conducted in the Netherlands, where 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 lifespan and a lower mortality rate than heart disease.
However, there are other opinions based on the fact that all the data obtained is nothing more than a statistical calculation error, and in fact alcohol is harmful even in small doses.
What are Low and Tolerant Doses?
All scientists agree that the benefits of alcohol are shown only in small doses. But the norm in different parts of the world is different. 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 United States the norm is 14 ml, and in Japan - 20.
However, it is strongly discouraged to drink alcohol daily. The optimum frequency is 2-3 times a week.
In addition, there is a maximum allowable dose, which is the amount of alcohol that can be processed by the human body. Indications depend on many factors, including gender, weight, health status. For example, a healthy man weighing 70 kg 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. So alcohol in small amounts:
- reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease;
- reduces the likelihood of ischemic stroke;
- reduces the risk of diabetes.
Important!It is important to remember that, first, the benefits of alcohol are just one of the opinions, which are not followed by all experts. And secondly, under any circumstances, one should not rely on the medicinal properties of alcohol and use it as a remedy for existing pathology.
What makes alcohol dangerous?
The benefits and disadvantages of any product, including alcohol, are determined by its chemical composition. Alcoholic beverages are dangerous mainly because of ethyl alcohol, which is found in all alcoholic beverages. The biggest danger is not the ethanol itself, but the toxic products of its processing, especially acetaldehyde, which, spreading throughout the body, negatively affects all its systems.
In addition, alcohol can be harmful because:
- various chemical additives (flavor and aroma enhancers, preservatives, dyes);
- large amounts of carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages;
- fusel oil is found in low quality artificial and artificial beverages.
And, of course, the harm increases as the dose you drink increases.
Reasons why you want to drink
There are many explanations for why you want to drink a little alcohol from time to time. Among them are the need to relax and forget about problems for a while, the desire to support the company, the desire to be released, to be more friendly. Naturally, now we are talking about those who drink from time to time, observing that step, and not about people who have alcohol dependence.
But in addition to the psychological reasons listed, there are other explanations for alcohol needs that sometimes arise. Often this is due to lack of nutrients in the body.
If a person wants to drink alcohol, he does not need to do so, sometimes it is enough to know what to eat or drink to get what the body needs.
What if your desires become very unusual?
If you have a desire to drink alcohol, you can certainly take a small dose, but it is very important to drink alcohol every time in such a situation. The best solution is to undergo a medical examination to understand what is causing your cravings for alcohol.
Temporary steps can be as follows:
- replace alcohol with other beverages (kvass, natural juice, milk, green tea);
- eat something (red meat, honey, salted cheese, cottage cheese, nuts or seeds, egg dishes).
Communicating with family and friends, household chores, sports, interesting activities, reading, walking will help divert attention from drinking thoughts. If the craving for alcohol persists, you should consult a therapist for professional advice.
What is lacking in your body if you want to drink?
Often people develop an inexplicable desire for a product with a certain taste at first glance. Various nutritional anomalies in pregnant women are very popular. For example, many of them are part of lime. This is due to the changes that take place in the body and cause a lack of certain nutrients. A similar situation is when you crave alcohol - there may be something missing in your body.
The most common are:
- vitamin B deficiency;
- iron deficiency;
- lack of silicone;
- protein deficiency (the most common explanation if you want vodka);
- Deficiency of micronutrients (calcium, potassium, sodium).
After determining which vitamins or minerals are deficient, you should supplement your diet by adding products or vitamin complexes that contain them.
Can alcoholism develop from daily low-dose use?
It is important to remember that the habit of drinking alcohol, even in small amounts, over time can lead to psychological development. And it does not depend on the strength of the drink, on the contrary, low alcohol that looks harmless is more addictive than liqueur.
The need for alcohol will gradually increase, the dose will begin to increase, as will the frequency of drinking. The body will adjust to the ethanol supply on a regular basis, will enter it into 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 potentially harmful to health. But drinking high quality alcohol, if not healthy, is certainly less dangerous. This is mainly due to the lack of fuselage oil, which is found to be excessive in low-grade beverages. Less negative effects due to low concentration of preservatives and various artificial additives.
Therefore, you can minimize the toxic effects of alcohol on the body by taking premium drinks from trusted manufacturers in small doses.
Drinking culture
The culture of drinking alcoholic beverages has a direct effect on the consequences of drinking alcohol for the human body, as it requires a reasonable approach to the choice of alcohol and the process of its use. Enforced regulations that, among other things, help reduce the negative effects of ethanol. This includes, for example, drinking small amounts of alcohol.
Wine
Grapes are credited with the most beneficial nutrients from any alcoholic beverage. According to the rules, the drink is drunk a little, enjoying the aroma and taste of various aspects. A must-have snack, selected based on the type of drink.
Bir
Beer directly lives healthy because of its high vitamin and mineral content. Beer must be drunk a little cold, without haste. Spicy and salty snacks should be preferred over dried fish or meat, cheese, seafood, nuts. It is not recommended to mix beer with other alcohols.
Cognac
High quality cognac is also referred to as a healthy alcoholic beverage. The situation in which this elite alcohol is drunk is very important. They help you take advantage of the wonderful aroma and rich taste of the drink.
Cognac should be at room temperature. They drank it with a small sip. The choice of classic dishes is after a main meal with a cup of coffee and a cigar. It is believed that cognac does not require snacks, but if you want, you can serve fresh fruits and nuts with it.
Risk of drinking alcohol
Regular use of alcohol in most cases causes alcoholism, which in turn leads to many diseases. All organs or systems can be affected, but most often develop:
- liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) and excretory system;
- cardiovascular disease (cardiomyopathy, heart attack);
- brain disorders;
- gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis);
- reproductive system pathology;
- mental and neurological disorders.
Ethanol also increases the risk of getting neoplasms.
If the body needs alcohol, this is a worrying symptom, indicating that bad habits have turned into a chronic disease.
Conclusion
Drinking can actually be beneficial. But you should not use alcohol as a medicine if there is an illness. The main thing is to choose high quality alcohol, do not overdo it with the frequency of intake and remember to pay attention to the dose to avoid negative consequences.