Hello Healthy Friends!
Most people seem to be drinking alcohol as if they are drinking water. Some people spend a lot of money unnecessarily and indulge excessively in alcohol almost every day or every weekend, and this may lead to a number of car accidents due to DUI (driving under the influence). But what are other effects of alcohol, especially on your body?
Some alcoholic drinks contain traces of vitamins and minerals and many also contain sugars. These nutrients do not make a significant contribution to dietary intake. Some alcoholic drinks do however, contain a range of phytochemicals, such as polyphenols in red wine, which are thought to benefit health. However, alcohol depletes vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fats. It also disrupts blood sugar control. Many of the side effects of alcohol abuse result from these deficiencies, e.g. a lack of B vitamins can increase anxiety and a lack of the amino acid tryptophan can lead to depression.
So how much is one supposed to drink? Men should not drink more than 3-4 units of alcohol daily and for women, not more than 2-3 units. One unit is equivalent to half a pint of ordinary strength beer larger or a cider and to 1 small glass of wine or sherry.
Effects of Alcohol on the body
Once alcohol is swallowed, the stomach absorbs about 20% of it; this explains why its effects can be so rapid, especially on an empty stomach. The rest will exit the stomach and enter the bloodstream through the wall of the small intestine. How quickly alcohol is absorbed depends on several factors including:
• The concentration of alcohol in the drink (drinks with a higher alcohol concentration are generally absorbed faster)
• Whether the drink is carbonated (champagne, for example is absorbed more quickly than non-sparkling drinks)
• Whether the stomach is full or empty (meals high in fat and protein slow down the absorption of alcohol)
The short-term physiological effects of excessive alcohol consumption
▪ Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. The degree to which the CNS function is impaired is directly proportional to the concentration of alcohol in the blood. Common effects on the CNS include loss of visual ability, altered sense of time and space, impaired co-ordination and loss muscular function, loss of pain perception, unclear hearing, slurred speech, slowed reaction time and dulled perception of smell and taste.
▪ Falling over is common when one is drunk because alcohol affects the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls fine movements.
▪ Passing out is thought to happen due to a drop in blood pressure. Normally on standing up, blood pressure tends to drop. The human body reacts by triggering vasoconstriction – tightening the blood vessels, causing a resultant increase in blood pressure back to a normal level. However after alcohol consumption, this system works less efficiently, resulting in a faint.
▪ Testosterone levels are decreased by alcohol, resulting in sexual dysfunction. Oestrogen levels can increase and cause breast cancer with moderate drinking.
▪ Skin flushing occurs as alcohol triggers small blood vessels in the skin to widen, allowing more blood to flow close to the skin‘s surface.
▪ Nausea is common as alcohol can irritate the stomach lining.
▪ Heavy binge drinking can be dangerous because large quantities of alcohol can adversely affect the functioning of the medulla. This area of the brain controls the basic life-support functions. General loss of sensation, lack of consciousness and even death can result from prolonged heavy alcohol consumption.
The long-term physiological effects of excessive alcohol consumption
▪ Excessive alcohol consumption can cause damage to the liver, stomach, esophagus and the pancreas. It can also affect your heart leading to heart failure, and can have an effect on the blood vessels causing atherosclerosis, stroke or increase your blood pressure.
▪ Potential harmful effects include poor short-term memory, confusion, psychosis (loss of contact with reality), depression, difficulty in sleeping, deterioration of nerves in arms and legs that control movements, sexual difficulties, and weight problems. Alcohol can also cause low folic acid levels and low iron levels leading to anemia that causes fatigue, weakness and light-headedness.
Alcoholism is characterized by excessive drinking, unsuccessful attempts at stopping drinking, and continued drinking despite adverse social and occupational consequences. People who become alcoholics have been regularly drinking alcohol in excessive amounts over a prolonged period of time and are dependent on it. It may all start with 2 drinks per day for women and 3 drinks for men. Many alcoholics are also binge drinkers, meaning that they may drink five or more drinks on many days and little or none on a few days.
So please reduce your alcohol consumption if you are a heavy drinker, it is for your own health. I am not saying you must completely stop drinking alcohol (those who love drinking would obviously think that I am nuts!), but just make sure that you do not drink regularly, especially excessive amounts, don’t be greedy! Alcohol is a diuretic which means that it stimulates urine flow and therefore causes dehydration, so make certain that you drink water while you indulge in your alcohol. Drink responsibly and do not get arrested for DUI!
Stay Blessed and Healthy!
Pauline Mogapi
Homoeopath Intern
