Everyone knows that alcoholic beverages are harmful and their abuse provokes the development of many pathologies.
But research by scientists shows that drinking alcohol in moderation can have a beneficial effect on a person's physical and mental condition.
Does the body need alcohol?
The human body is capable of producing alcohol on its own. It is called endogenous and mainly the 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. In addition, synthesized ethanol increases energy potential and stimulates metabolic processes.
The positive effect of endogenous alcohol on the human body is obvious. But numerous experiments performed by scientists prove that alcoholic beverages coming from abroad can be useful.
Opinion of Scientists
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.
Doctors from France concluded that alcoholic beverages normalize the activity of the cardiovascular system. U. S. experts have found that older people who sometimes indulge themselves with little alcohol are much less likely to experience such a common age-related phenomenon as decreased brain activity.
A forty-year experiment was conducted in Holland, during which more than 1300 people were observed. As a result, it was concluded that those who consumed 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 are nothing more than an error of 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 rates in different parts of the world vary. So in the UK, the permissible dose is 8 ml of pure alcohol per day (that is approximately 18 ml of strong alcohol or 40 ml of wine), in SH. B. A. the rate is 14 ml, and in Japan - 20.
However, it is discouraged 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 is able to process. The indicator depends on many factors, including gender, weight, 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. Depending on 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 quantities:
- reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease;
- reduces the chance 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, can not rely on the medicinal properties of alcohol and use it as a remedy for existing pathologies.
does 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 toxic products of its processing, in particular acetaldehyde, which, spreading throughout the body, adversely affects all its systems.
Furthermore, alcohol can be harmful due to:
- various chemical additives (flavor enhancers, preservatives, dyes);
- large amounts of carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages;
- Fuel oils present in low quality beverages and counterfeits.
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 occasionally want to drink some alcohol. Among them is 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. Of course, we are now talking about those who drink occasionally, respecting the measure, and not about people addicted to alcohol.
But in addition to the psychological reasons listed, there are other explanations for the sometimes emerging need for alcohol. Most often this is due to lack of substances in the body.
If a person wants to drink alcohol, he does not need to do it, sometimes it is enough to know what to eat or drink to get what the body needs.
What if desires become almost overloaded?
If you have a persistent desire to drink, you can certainly take a small dose, but it is hardly worth it to drink alcohol every time in such a situation. The best solution is to have a medical check-up to find out what is causing your craving for alcohol.
Interim measures may be as follows:
- replace alcohol with other beverages (kvass, natural juices, milk, green tea);
- eat something (red meat, honey, salted cheese, cottage cheese, nuts or seeds, egg container).
Communicating with family and friends, housework, sports, an interesting activity, reading, walking will help you get rid of thoughts about drinking. If the craving for alcohol persists, it is worth visiting a therapist for professional advice.
What is missing from your body if you want to drink?
Often people develop an inexplicable craving for products with certain tastes at first glance. Various nutritional abnormalities in pregnant women are very common. For example, many of them are partial to chalk. This is due to changes that occur in the body and cause a lack of certain substances. A similar situation is when you want alcohol - it is very likely that something is missing in your body.
The most common are:
- lack of B vitamins;
- iron deficiency;
- lack of silicone;
lack of protein- (most common explanation if you want vodka);
Deficiencies of micronutrients (calcium, potassium, sodium).
Once you have determined which vitamins or minerals are missing, you should supplement your diet with them by adding products or vitamin complexes that contain them.
Can low-dose daily consumption of alcoholism develop?
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. And it does not depend on the strength of the drink, on the contrary, seemingly harmless low-alcohol beers are problematic faster than spirits.
The need for alcohol will gradually increase, the doses will start to increase, as well as the frequency of drinking. The body will adapt to regular intake of ethanol, will involve it in metabolic processes, which will lead to physical dependence, which is very difficult to get rid of.
Can high quality alcohol be harmful to health?
veragedo alcohol 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-grade beverages. Also, the less negative impact is due to the low concentration of preservatives and various artificial additives.
So you can minimize the toxic effect of alcohol on the body by consuming premium drinks from a trusted manufacturer in small doses.
Drinking culture
The culture of drinking alcohol has a direct impact on the consequences of drinking alcohol on the human body, as it requires a reasonable approach to both the choice of alcohol and the process of consumption. Regulations are enforced that, among other things, help reduce the negative effects of ethanol. These include, for example, drinking small amounts of alcohol.
Summer
Wine is valued for the most beneficial properties of any alcoholic beverage. According to the rules, the drink is drunk sparingly, enjoying the versatile aroma and taste. A must-have snack, which is chosen based on the type of drink.
Beer
Real live beer is healthy because of its high content of vitamins and minerals. Beer should be drunk slightly chilled, without rushing. Spicy and salty foods should be preferred dry 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 beverage. The conditions in which this elite alcohol is drunk are very important. They help you get the most out of the delicate aroma and rich taste of the drinks.
Cognac should be at room temperature. They drink it in small sips. The classic service option is after the main meal with a cup of coffee and a cigarette. It is believed that cognac does not require a snack, but if you wish, you can serve it with fresh fruit and nuts.
Dangers of drinking alcohol
Regular consumption of alcohol in most cases leads to alcoholism, which in turn causes many diseases. Absolutely any organ or system can be affected, but most often it develops:
liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) and excretory system;
- cardiovascular diseases (cardiomyopathy, heart attack);
- brain disorders;
- gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis);
- pathology of the reproductive system;
- mental and neurological disorders.
Ethanol also increases the risk of developing neoplasms.
If the body craves alcohol, this is an alarming symptom, indicating that a bad habit has turned into a chronic disease.
Conclusion
Drinking can actually be beneficial. But you should not use alcohol as medicine in case of existing diseases. The main thing is to choose high quality alcohol, not to overdo it with the frequency of intake and do not forget to monitor the dose in order to avoid negative consequences.