Everyone knows that alcoholic beverages are harmful and their abuse provokes the development of many pathologies.
But research by scientists shows that moderate alcohol consumption 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 its production mainly involves the intestines and liver. 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 numerous experiments conducted by scientists have shown that alcoholic beverages coming from outside 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 various 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 in less alcohol, are much less likely to experience such a common age-related phenomenon as decreased brain activity.
A 40-year experiment was conducted in the Netherlands, during which more than 1, 300 people were observed. As a result, it has been concluded that those who drink alcohol in reasonable doses throughout their lives have a longer life expectancy and lower mortality 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 a low and tolerable dose?
All scientists agree that the benefits of alcohol appear only in small doses. But the norms in different parts of the world vary. So in the UK the permissible dose is 8 ml of pure alcohol per day (this is 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 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 is able to process. The indicator depends on many factors, including gender, weight, health. For example, a healthy person weighing 70 kg can drink 170 g of pure alcohol (about 0, 5 liters of vodka) per day. With prolonged 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 likelihood of ischemic stroke;
- reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
Important!It is important to remember that, first, the benefits of alcohol are just one of the existing opinions that not all experts hold. And secondly, in any case, you can not rely on the healing 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 because of ethyl alcohol, which is present in absolutely all alcoholic beverages. The greatest danger is not even the ethanol itself, but the toxic products of its processing, in particular acetaldehyde, which, spreading throughout the body, adversely affects all its systems.
In addition, alcohol can be harmful due to:
- various chemical additives (flavor enhancers, preservatives, colorants);
- large amounts of carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages;
- fusel oils present in low quality beverages and counterfeits.
And, of course, the harm increases with increasing dose.
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 become more sociable. Naturally, we are now talking about those who drink from time to time in compliance with the measure, not about people with alcohol dependence.
But in addition to the psychological reasons listed, there are other explanations for the sometimes arising need for alcohol. Most often this is due to the lack of any substances in the body.
If a person wants to drink alcohol, there is no need to do so, sometimes it is enough to know what to eat or drink to get the body from what it needs.
What happens if the longing becomes almost unbearable?
If you have a constant desire 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 undergo a medical examination to find out what is causing your strong desire for alcohol.
The interim measures may be as follows:
- replace alcohol with other beverages (yeast, natural juices, milk, green tea);
- Eat something (red meat, honey, salted cheese, cottage cheese, nuts or seeds, egg dishes).
Communicating with family and friends, housework, sports, interesting activities, reading, walking will help you to distract yourself from thoughts of drinking. If the craving for alcohol persists, it is worth visiting a therapist for professional advice.
What does your body lack if you want to drink?
Often people develop an inexplicable desire for products with certain tastes at first glance. Various eating abnormalities in pregnant women are very popular. For example, many of them are partial to chalk. This is due to changes that occur in the body and cause a deficiency of certain substances. This is a situation when you want alcohol - most likely something is missing in your body.
The most common are:
- deficiency of vitamins from the group;
- lack of iron;
- silicon deficiency;
- lack of protein (most common explanation if you want vodka);
- micronutrient deficiency (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 alcoholism develop from daily consumption of low doses?
It is very important to remember that the habit of drinking, 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, the seemingly harmless low-alcohol beer is more addictive than alcohol.
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 the regular intake of ethanol, will include 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?
Every alcoholic beverage contains ethanol and therefore poses 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 contained in excess in low-quality beverages. Also, the smaller negative impact is due to the low concentration of preservatives and various artificial additives.
So you can reduce the toxic effects of alcohol on the body by consuming premium drinks from a reliable manufacturer in small doses.
Drinking culture
The culture of drinking alcoholic beverages has a direct impact on the effects of alcohol consumption on the human body, as it requires a sensible approach to both the choice of alcohol and the process of consumption. Provisions apply which, among other things, help to reduce the negative effects of ethanol. These include, 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, enjoying the aroma and versatile taste. Mandatory breakfast, which is chosen according to 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 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 alcohol.
Cognac
High quality cognac is also called a healthy alcoholic beverage. The conditions under which this elite alcohol is drunk are very important. They help you get the most out of the exquisite aroma and rich taste of the drink.
Cognac should be at room temperature. Drink it in small sips. The classic option for 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 fruits and nuts with it.
Risks of alcohol use
Regular alcohol consumption 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:
- diseases of the liver (hepatitis, cirrhosis) and urinary 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 tumors.
If the body needs alcohol, this is an alarming symptom indicating that a bad habit has become a chronic disease.
Conclusion
Drinking can actually be beneficial. But you should not use alcohol as a medicine in case of existing diseases. The main thing is to choose high-quality alcohol, not to overdo it and do not forget to follow the dosage to avoid negative consequences.