Is drinking small amounts of alcohol every day harmful? Is alcohol beneficial in small doses: its effect on the body.

Nowadays, any doctor can tell you what the harm of alcohol is to the human body. The Ministry of Health regularly warns everyone, but it does it so quietly that almost no one hears it. The problem is truly serious, because today not only men, but also women and even schoolchildren are addicted to alcohol. In the gathered company of young people, it is difficult to find a person without a bottle of beer or a can of some other low-alcohol drink in his hands. Perhaps if people thought more often about what they were doing, they could maintain their health. What are the harms of alcohol? The photos in our article will help you figure this out.

What harm does alcohol cause to the human body?

Everyone knows that alcohol hits the brain hardest. Due to the resulting intoxication, oxygen access to neurons is disrupted. The death of brain cells that occurs as a result of long-term alcohol consumption leads to alcoholic dementia.

Abuse of strong drinks has irreversible consequences, such as depression of brain function. Autopsies of deceased alcoholics showed significant depletion of this organ and obvious degenerative changes in its cells.

But the harm of alcohol affects not only the brain, but also many other internal organs of a person.

Heart

Alcohol damages the heart muscle, which can lead not only to serious illness, but also to death. In patients who have even a short history of alcoholism, the volume of the heart may increase, which is noticeable during an x-ray examination. Heart rhythm disturbances can occur even in a healthy person who has drunk a large dose of alcohol. Alcohol abuse often causes heart attacks and also contributes to the development and progression of ischemia and hypertension.

Respiratory system

People who suffer from the first stage of alcoholism experience increased breathing, as well as an increase in its minute volume. As alcoholism develops, breathing may become difficult. In addition, various diseases may appear: tracheobronchitis, chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis, emphysema and others.

Stomach

Liver

The liver is another organ that is regularly mentioned by all people who drink alcohol. She is the “chemical laboratory” of the body, performing an antitoxic function. Alcohol has Negative influence on the liver, under its influence the functioning of this organ occurs. In hospitals and clinics you can often find pictures on posters about the dangers of alcohol. And they often depict the liver of a person who abuses alcohol - ugly, pathologically altered, scary.

Therefore, even with occasional alcohol consumption, it is necessary to protect liver cells by taking hepatoprotectors. For example, Legalon, an original drug based on milk thistle extract with the highest bioavailability and increased content the active component of silymarin, which strengthens membranes, stimulates the work of liver cells, and prevents penetration into it toxic substances. In addition to its protective effect, the product relieves inflammation and stimulates the regeneration of liver cells.

Kidneys

Most people with alcoholism also have impaired kidney function. Alcoholic drinks have a detrimental effect on the epithelial tissue of these organs, which leads to disruption of the genitourinary system.

Nervous system

Alcoholism also has a detrimental effect on the nervous system. With this disease, mental disorders and various disorders occur. For example, an alcoholic is often accompanied by numbness of some parts of the body, weakness of the limbs, disorientation, and hallucinations. Paralysis of certain muscle groups is also considered a frequent occurrence. These symptoms may disappear if you stop drinking alcohol.

Immunity

Also one of the main, but little-known factors is the effect of alcohol on immune system. With regular abuse of strong drinks, the immune system is significantly weakened, which contributes to the development of various infectious diseases, as well as allergic reactions. The harm of alcohol is often hidden in such subtle moments. The photo in this article clearly demonstrates what alcohol abuse can lead to.

Sexual dysfunction

Every third man who abuses alcohol has decreased sexual function. And against the background of “alcoholic impotence,” representatives of the stronger half of humanity may experience various types of depression and neuroses. As for women, their reproductive function decreases due to alcohol abuse, severe toxicosis is observed during pregnancy, and menopause occurs much earlier than in a healthy woman.

Muscles, bones, skin

Chronic drinking can lead to exhaustion, damage and weakening of muscles. Pictures about the dangers of alcohol, which were already mentioned above, also demonstrate the danger of the disease for the musculoskeletal system. They do not ignore the consequences that overtake the skin. Damage to the skin occurs both due to the direct effects of alcohol and due to impaired liver function.

Alcohol abuse leads to disability and premature aging. According to statistics, people suffering from alcoholism live 15-20 years less than healthy people.

About the dangers of alcohol for teenagers

Teenagers should generally avoid drinking alcohol. Strong drinks can slowly kill the already strengthened body of an adult. A teenager’s body is not fully formed, so it is more vulnerable. During this period, a restructuring of all organ systems occurs. And if you suddenly strike with alcohol at this unstable moment, the harm of alcohol will become even more terrible and noticeable. For example, in addition to the fact that the liver has not yet had time to get stronger, at this age it also has a high capacity. Therefore, liver disease can develop literally after drinking a few grams of alcohol.

It is not so important what type of alcohol a teenager drinks, because beer, wine, and vodka equally harm the body, resulting in damage to the brain, liver, nervous system and Airways. Children should be explained in advance about the dangers of alcohol, as even the first 100 g of alcohol can lead to the development of addiction.

With regular drinking alcoholic drinks Teenagers may experience various disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract. Alcohol has negative impact on the stomach, while changes in the properties and amount of gastric juice are observed, as well as disruption of the pancreas, and this can lead to both pancreatitis and diabetes. Teenagers may argue that beer is a fairly light alcoholic drink. Yes, this is true, but at the same time it is a strong diuretic. Therefore, with its regular use, mineral and nutrients from the child's body. The loss of such essential compounds and microelements in the future may be irreplaceable.

Various low alcohol drinks In addition to alcohol itself, they contain many other harmful substances, for example, caffeine, dyes, sugar. Therefore, teenagers should be told in advance about the dangers of alcohol. Instructive lectures are often held for schoolchildren. This is a mandatory and correct tactic for teachers, as it can stop at least some teenagers.

Harm of alcohol for women

Everyone knows that it is easier for a woman to move from the stage of “moderate drinker” to the stage of “advanced alcoholism.” Therefore, alcoholic drinks are no less terrible for the fair half of humanity. If we talk about the dangers of alcohol for teenagers in more detail, we need to place a significant emphasis on girls and women. It should be remembered that any young girl is a future mother. It is unknown when this happy period in her life will come, but at the same time, you should not ruin your health before the desire to have a child comes. How does alcohol affect a woman’s health? To answer this question, you don’t need to think long, you just need to add to the consequences of male alcoholism the possibility of giving birth to a disabled child. The fact is that male semen tends to renew itself every few months, but female eggs are not capable of this. A woman has a certain number of ready-made germ cells, some of which are destroyed by alcohol, which is where unhealthy children come from, as well as infertility and various other diseases.

How do other drugs harm the human body?

If a person is a chronic intravenous drug user, their average life expectancy will be approximately 6 to 8 years. The harm of drugs and alcohol human body approximately the same. They bring with them heart diseases, pathologies of the brain and the liver itself, because it is the first to not withstand the load. Very often people die from accidents while under the influence of drugs.

One of the most common reasons for using both alcohol and drugs is the thirst for thrills. In this way, people relieve stress, forget about problems, in a word, escape from boring life. But it should be borne in mind that after the effects of the drugs wear off, a state of apathy, depression and hopelessness sets in.

The benefits of alcohol

People who advocate a healthy lifestyle often claim that the harm of alcohol to the human body is destructive. Scientists who have conducted research on this topic refute the opinion of “teetotalers.” Researchers were able to prove that alcohol is still beneficial in small doses, but only if the alcoholic drink is of high quality. In their opinion, alcohol has a positive effect on mental condition and acts as a prophylactic for many diseases.

The harm and benefits of alcohol are concepts of measure. Therefore, it is very important to draw the right conclusions.

So, acceptable daily norm can be considered no more than 20 grams of pure alcohol. If we translate this norm for a traditional alcoholic drink, you get approximately 0.5 liters of beer or 50 ml of wine. The amount of vodka turns out to be so small that there is no point in even counting, because this alcoholic drink is not consumed in such doses.

In our country, it is not customary to drink alcohol every day, even in small doses. Therefore, it would be logical to count the alcohol that can be consumed per week. That is, multiplying 7 days by 20 grams, you get 140 grams. This is the weekly norm of alcohol for the body. In terms of an alcoholic drink, the result is 350 grams of strong alcohol, such as vodka or cognac, 3 liters of beer or one liter of wine. This is the amount of alcohol considered acceptable for a healthy adult.

Wine is believed to cause minimal harm to health. This type of alcohol is often consumed in for preventive purposes. Wine is indeed the most harmless alcoholic drink, but only if it is of high quality, made from natural grapes, and of course, if consumed in reasonable doses.

Many wine drinks can really be harmful. But often this is not related to alcohol, it all lies in various chemical additives. We can say that many store-bought wines embody both the harm and benefits of alcohol. Therefore, you need to drink only high-quality drinks and not large quantities. It should be borne in mind that this applies not only to wine, but also to any other types of alcohol.

With the help of alcoholic drinks, diseases such as hypertension, angina pectoris, various colds, lymphoma, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, kidney tumor, stroke, heart attack, stress.

According to estimates by the World Health Organization, Uganda is recognized as the drinkingiest country in the world. This is due to the fact that in Africa many drinks based on the fermentation of plant materials are consumed, also considered alcoholic.
Luxembourg is in second place, Ireland is in third, followed by Hungary and Moldova. To Russia's credit, it should be said that it occupies only 22nd place in the ranking of the most drinking countries, and Ukraine is in 61st place. Everything is fair in the calculations. Consumption was calculated pure alcohol per capita, including infants and old people.

Classification

The main parameter for classification is the strength of the drink.
Therefore, according to the indicator, all drinks are divided into:
  • Strong. Includes more than 38% vol. alcohol This is cognac, vodka, whiskey,
  • Average. Include alcohol from 20 to 38% vol. – liqueurs, liqueurs, tinctures,
  • Weak. Include alcohol no more than 20% vol. - beer, wine.

Strong alcohol

The main difference in spirits is the raw materials from which they are made.
If in European southern countries This raw material is grapes, then in more northern latitudes it is potatoes or grain. For example, in Ireland and Scotland it is whiskey, in France and Spain it is brandy, in Russia and Poland it is vodka, in the Scandinavian countries they prepare aquavit from potatoes.
In the Caribbean, the basis for alcohol is sugar cane. Therefore, in Latin America, rum is made from it.
The abundance of agave in Mexico gave rise to the production of tequila, which was formerly called agave whiskey.
In North America, the history of spirits began with rum from sugar cane. However, after some time, settlers from northern Europe discovered that instead of the usual barley, they could use corn or, in the north of the country, rye. Therefore, Canadian and American whiskey is made from rye and corn.

Another parameter for classification is exposure. Over time, people developed technology for aging strong alcoholic beverages. Canadian or American whiskey, for example, must be aged for at least two years, cognac for at least two and a half years, and Scotch whiskey for at least three years.
Not all alcoholic drinks last. Vodka, grappa and gin are not aged. Therefore, these drinks are colorless and completely transparent.
At the same time, there are drinks, for example, tequila, rum, brandy and aquavita, the production of which involves both aged and unaged types.

In trade, the classification of alcohol is simplified: all strong drinks are divided into white and brown.

The most consumed strong alcoholic drinks in the world are:

  • Vodka,
  • Whiskey,
  • Brandy,
  • Gin.
Alcohol can also be classified according to the complexity of production. Then it will turn out:
1. Pure alcohols prepared without any improvers from any types of raw materials ( vodka, grappa, whiskey),
2. Flavored spirits from a wide variety of raw materials ( aquavit, gin),
3. Drinks based on alcohol with a mass of various additives, including sugar ( tinctures, liqueurs, creams).

Calorie content

Without a doubt, liqueurs break records for calorie content. The calorie content of 100 ml of the product is more than 300 kcal.
Vodka contains a little more than 280 kcal per 100 ml.
Liqueur wines and whiskey contain about 220 kcal per 100 ml.
Dessert and fortified wines contain from 150 to 170 kcal per 100 ml.
Vermouths - about 120 kcal.
Sweet wines and sweet champagne are around 100 kcal.
Semi-sweet wines 80 – 90 kcal.
Dry wines – 60 – 70 kcal.
Beer 35 – 50 kcal.
Non-alcoholic beer – 33 kcal.

Degrees and blood alcohol content

Without a doubt, the higher the amount of drink consumed, the greater the “degree” that will enter the blood.
But it’s not just the quantity that affects the level of alcohol in the blood.

1. Alcohol strength. The stronger the drink, the more alcohol in the blood. But due to the fact that drinks with a strength of 40% irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, the work of the pyloric valve is inhibited. Therefore, the contents of the stomach do not enter the intestines so quickly and thereby delay the entry of alcohol into the blood. Drinks with a strength of 15–20% penetrate the blood most quickly. Due to the fact that there is quite a lot of water in beer, alcohol from it also does not immediately enter the bloodstream. But aperitifs with a strength of 15–20% penetrate the blood the fastest, which is why they increase appetite, causing acceleration of blood circulation. Gas present in champagne and mineral waters ( they are used to make cocktails) accelerates the penetration of alcohol into the blood.

2. Speed ​​of use. If you drink a lot and quickly, your blood alcohol level will be higher than if you drink the same amount, but slowly, little by little. During the time that the next portion of alcohol enters the blood, the liver manages to process part of what has already been received. The liver processes the alcohol contained in 25 ml of vodka or 250 ml of beer in an hour. Therefore, if you drink at this rate, your blood alcohol level will remain constant.

3. Presence of food in the stomach. If there is no solid food in the stomach or intestines, alcohol penetrates the walls and blood faster. If a person eats fatty foods, alcohol is absorbed 6 times slower than on an empty stomach. Therefore, before the first drink, it is better to eat a thick, fatty and warm meal.

4. Body mass . The “bigger” a person is, the more fluid his body contains. Thus, a tall person will have a lower blood alcohol level, all other things being equal, than a low person. Since there is less water in fat cells, an obese person's alcohol level will rise faster than a lean person who has consumed the same amount. In any case, women have less water in their bodies than men. That's why they get drunk faster.

Myths about the dangers of alcohol

Myth 1. Alcohol is a food product
Scientists knew that alcohol is a narcotic poison back in the early twentieth century. And in the mid-70s World Organization The health system has officially recognized alcohol as a drug that undermines public health. To this day, not a single scientist has been able to reliably refute these assertions.

Myth 2. If you drink a little, there will be no harm
The refutation of this is that all alcoholics began to drink little by little. But like any other drug, alcohol is addictive. The dose can only increase. Even small amounts of alcohol give a person a feeling of euphoria, which is often very dangerous.
According to research by academician Pavlova, reflexes disappear after drinking small doses of alcohol and return to normal only after 7–11 days. According to modern data, even people who drink moderately after 4 years have an 85% chance of brain shrinkage. The more complex the brain function, the more severe the consequences of small doses of alcoholic beverages. A person’s desire to work disappears. Small doses of alcohol poison the liver, as well as brain cells and reproductive systems. Even small doses increase the likelihood of diabetes and cancer, as well as hypertension.

Myth 3. Alcohol helps prevent colds and warms you up
Alcoholic drinks are actually a source of calories, which means they can theoretically warm you up. But their processing by the body is more complex than other types of energy ( sugars or fats), and the damage done to the body is higher. An imaginary sensation of warmth arises from the fact that under the influence of alcohol paralysis of the blood vessels of the skin occurs, they become wider and the blood flow to the skin increases. The amount of heat that is given off by the body increases, so there is no benefit from this “warming”.
The maximum amount of strong alcohol that can really “get the blood going” a little is 50 grams. Large amounts only have a negative effect.
According to the French Academy of Sciences, alcohol does not in any way affect any influenza viruses. Therefore, it is useless to use it for acute respiratory diseases (ARI). It’s even harmful, because when alcohol enters the body, it weakens it. Drinking people more susceptible to infections, this was proven back in the nineteenth century. 100 grams of good red wine, warm, can slightly stimulate the immune system, but you shouldn’t drink more.

Myth 4. Alcohol relaxes and makes you happy
Drinking small amounts of alcohol actually reduces inhibitions and loosens people up. But the reason for this is paralysis of the cells of the cerebral cortex. In this regard, people who drink have less control over their actions and words. This kind of fun is the result of the drug. After some time, a person loses the ability to concentrate, becomes tactless, and his actions often interfere with others.
Drinking alcohol should also not be used to relieve stress. After all, the effects of alcohol on the body are similar to the effects of stress itself. The narcotic effect of alcohol is that it reduces the feeling of fatigue and other unpleasant sensations. However, after the alcohol is removed from the body, all these feelings will come back with a vengeance.
As a last resort, if there is no other method of distraction, you can drink no more than 30 grams of strong drink or 40 grams. guilt.

Myth 5. Alcohol improves appetite
When alcohol enters the gastrointestinal tract, the glands begin to intensively produce digestive juice. This is a false feeling of hunger. Gradually, the glands atrophy and digestive function deteriorates, the walls of the stomach are destroyed, and an ulcer appears.
If the amount of alcohol consumed is not so large, a person’s cravings for food increase, body weight increases, and intestinal function is disrupted. It turns out that the feeling of increased appetite is just a deception. In fact, alcohol disrupts the functioning of the glands digestive system, impairs the functioning of protective mechanisms.
Those who stubbornly try to whet their appetite with alcohol can be advised to drink no more than 20 grams of strong alcoholic beverage. The effect will be noticeable in about 15 minutes. But drinking alcohol like this on an empty stomach entails the complications described above.

Myth 6. There's a lot in wine useful substances
According to research, during the wine making process, most of the beneficial substances found in grapes are processed or destroyed.

Myth 7. Alcohol increases performance
According to many people, it is easier to work when slightly drunk. In no way is it implied average degree intoxication. According to Australian researchers, the speed of reactions in slightly inebriated people is actually slightly higher. However, their reactions are not always correct. But the ability to concentrate and think clearly decreases. It turns out that even if things move faster, there will be mistakes in the work.

Myth 8. Alcohol reduces blood pressure
Most people suffering from high blood pressure are convinced that alcohol increases the lumen of blood vessels and thereby reduces pressure. This is not a completely wrong opinion. Indeed, in small quantities, alcohol relaxes the tension of the vascular walls. But it immediately increases the heart rate. And the amount of blood pressure is affected by the volume of blood passed through the heart. Thus, when the heart rate increases, more blood is pushed out and the pressure increases. In addition, alcoholic drinks contain active ingredients, which most often negatively affect blood pressure readings.

Myth 9. High-quality alcohol is not harmful
In fact, even the most expensive and high-quality alcohol is a toxic poison for the body. This is due to the fact that when ethyl alcohol decomposes in the body, acetaldehyde is released, a toxic substance. At the same time, of course, low-quality alcohol is even more harmful, since it initially contains harmful fusel oils, which aggravate the effect of acetaldehyde.

Is there any benefit?

The benefits of small doses of alcohol have been talked about for a long time and in many countries around the world.
Are these claims really based on science or is it just a ploy by the liquor industry?
After all, if everyone unanimously refuses alcoholic beverages, recognizing them as a soft drug, this will cause huge losses to both producers and the state itself, which receives huge profits from taxes on alcohol. Therefore, everyone chooses the answer to this question for themselves.

In the meantime, there is an opinion that:

  • Drinking small doses of alcohol reduces the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease, as it prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and increases the amount of “good cholesterol” in the blood,
  • Moderate drinking reduces the likelihood of developing arthritis,
  • Under the influence of small doses of alcohol, areas of the brain that are dormant in a sober state are activated,
  • Moderate drinkers are less likely to suffer from kidney tumors, intermittent claudication, colds, angina, lymphoma, osteoporosis, and type 2 diabetes,
  • Moderate alcohol drinkers are several times less likely to die from a sudden heart attack.
  • Moderate drinkers earn wages 20% higher than non-drinkers.
  • Even in the Old Testament, in 191 places, the benefits of wine are spoken of ( It should be borne in mind that in those days they drank only natural grape wine, and even well diluted with water).
The overwhelming number of researchers studying this topic believe that the benefits of drinking even small doses of alcohol are so small that all of the above arguments should not be taken seriously. And any dose of alcohol brings a lot of harm to the body. The media is just trying to justify bad habits society, acting rather irresponsibly.

Treatment with alcohol

The medicinal traditions of many countries include the use of alcoholic beverages. Thus, in Rus', vodka was used for rubbing, treating coughs and inflammation of the middle ear. And in southern countries, wine was used for treatment against diarrhea, cough, anemia, and weakness. In any case, you should consult your doctor before starting treatment.
Alcohol and vodka by themselves are no good medicinal benefits Dont Have. However, they are excellent at extracting beneficial substances from herbs. Vodka and alcohol have historically been used to make various tinctures.

ENT organs

  • To treat sore throat, bronchitis, and colds, you need to irrigate your throat and mouth with a mixture of alcohol tincture of eucalyptus or calendula and water in the proportion: 1 tsp per 200 ml of water. tinctures.
  • For follicular sore throat, you should irrigate your throat and mouth with 10% tincture of Kalanchoe with vodka.
  • For ARVI or flu, it will be useful to drink a warm drink before bed: 50 ml of dry red wine, 50 ml mineral water, 1 tbsp. honey, a little cinnamon.
  • For pneumonia it will be useful: heat 200 ml of red wine, 1 tbsp. honey, a little lemon balm and thyme. Drink in small sips and immediately wrap yourself in a blanket.
  • To reduce the temperature during ARVI: 200 ml of dry white wine, 1 tbsp. linden honey, a little nutmeg, 1 tbsp. lemon juice Leave for 60 minutes to infuse. Take a teaspoon 4 times a day,
  • For chills: 200 ml wine, 1 tbsp. honey, juice from 12 lemons and 3 cloves, heat over a fire, leave covered for 30 minutes, drink a little,
  • For the treatment of rhinitis: 1 tbsp. dilute alcohol tincture of propolis with 2 tbsp. beet juice Drip 4 times a day, 3 drops into each nasal passage,
  • For the treatment of cough, bronchitis: 1 tbsp. olive oil, cognac, honey, warm slightly and consume immediately before bed,
  • To strengthen the body during colds, combine equal amounts of Cahors, honey, and aloe juice. Drink 1 tbsp. 30 minutes before meals 3 times a day.
Heart and blood vessels
  • 100 gr. dry red wine, 8 ml cinnamon tincture, 6 ml lemon balm tincture, 30 ml honey. Take a tablespoon 3 times a day,
  • For chronic heart failure: 500 ml of dry red wine, 2 handfuls of rose petals, keep in a warm, dark place for 15 days. Drink 50 ml once a day after meals,
  • At high blood pressure: 300 gr. dry red wine, 150 gr. honey, 100 gr. crushed aloe leaves. Leave for 24 hours to infuse. Take a tablespoon 3 times a day before meals for 6 weeks,
  • For high blood pressure: 250 ml of vodka, 250 g. honey, lemon juice, 300 ml cranberry juice. Use 1 tbsp. 3 times a day between meals,
  • For vegetative-vascular dystonia, you should drink a glass of good red wine every day.
Varicose veins
  • Mix some acacia flowers with 150 ml of vodka. Cover the bottle and leave in the dark for ten days. Use to rub affected areas,
  • Chop 6 chestnuts, add 500 ml of vodka. Keep in the dark for 14 days. Pass through gauze and drink 30 drops 3 times a day on an empty stomach. Duration of therapy 4 weeks,
  • For hemorrhoids 50 gr. pour 500 ml of vodka over chestnut flowers and leave for 14 days. Take 40 drops 3 times a day after meals.

Indigestion

  • For gastritis with reduced acid production: drink 75 ml of dry red wine twice a day for 21 days. Drink 30 minutes before meals
  • For diarrhea: 1 liter of red wine, 30 g. mixtures of herbs in equal quantities ( oak bark, underground parts of galangal, marshmallow), consume warm, 1 tsp. once every 60 minutes.
Choleretic and diuretic disorders
  • 500 ml of alcohol and 25 g. Birch buds should be kept in the dark for 14 days. Use 1 tsp. 3 times a day after meals,
  • For gallbladder atony, take 2 tbsp per 100 ml of vodka. barberry leaves. Leave for 15 days. Take 30 drops in a small amount of water 3 times a day for 14 days,
  • For stomach ulcers: 200 gr. vodka and 50 gr. Veselka mushroom. Soak for 15 days in a cold place. Use 1 tbsp. 3 times a day after meals.
Joint diseases
  • For swelling and pain: mix vodka and honey in equal proportions. Apply lotions at night with a warm composition,
  • Before breakfast, drink 200 ml of milk with a dessert spoon of alcohol,
  • 20 gr. leave bitterweed herbs and 500 ml of alcohol in the pantry for 14 days. Drink 1 dessert spoon 3 times a day after meals.
Gout
Chop one immortelle bulb and add 5 parts of alcohol. Keep in the pantry for 14 days, treat the affected joints.

Osteomyelitis
100 gr. Mix propolis with 500 ml of alcohol. Keep in the pantry for three days. Use internally, diluting 1 tsp. tinctures in 100 ml of water 3 times a day.

Excess weight and alcohol

Excessive addiction to alcohol is one of the first reasons for the appearance of excess weight. First of all, any alcohol contains quite a lot of calories. In addition, alcohol penetrates the bloodstream in a matter of minutes and is quickly absorbed by the body. Once in the stomach, alcohol activates the production of gastric juice, speeds up the digestion of food and thereby increases appetite.

Even small amounts of alcohol reduce the ability to monitor the amount you eat. If you drink it often enough, you can increase your body weight in a short period of time. This applies most of all to beer. This is not to say that this alcoholic drink has a lot of calories, but you can eat a lot of it with beer. high-calorie food. The same goes for aperitifs. Thus, if there is alcohol at the table, more will definitely be eaten. Higher calorie foods are also chosen as snacks.

Those who want to watch their weight should pay attention to red wine. Which in small quantities accelerates metabolic processes, the movement of blood through the vessels, and causes the walls of the vessels to expand. The formation of atherosclerotic growths is reduced, the tone of the heart and blood vessels increases. Dry white wine is also useful in small quantities, improving the condition of the gastrointestinal tract.

Heart, blood vessels and alcohol

According to some reports, a study was conducted in the USA on the effect of alcohol on the condition of cardio-vascular system. It turned out that small amounts of alcohol have a beneficial effect on these organs. Thus, the likelihood of developing senile dementia, stroke and heart attack decreases.

Doctors from the American Heart Association conducted a study for 3.5 years, which involved more than 2,000 volunteers suffering from vascular and heart diseases.

After the experiment was completed, the scientists outlined their advice to patients. In their opinion, 2–3 servings of alcoholic beverages per day improve health. Thus, representatives of the fair sex are recommended to drink 200 ml of red wine per day, and representatives of the stronger half of humanity - 400 ml. Scientists believe that not drinking at all is worse than drinking a little. A rather strange statement from the point of view of most scientists, however, you cannot remove the words from the song.

Scientists believe that occasional drinkers small quantities drinking alcohol, the likelihood of developing a heart attack is reduced by a quarter, and the likelihood of a stroke is reduced by a fifth. The walls of blood vessels are strengthened, and blood circulation in the brain improves, therefore senile dementia is prevented.
Today, from the point of view of doctors from the Association of Cardiologists, small doses of alcohol are one of the secrets of well-being and health. They immediately warn that increasing the daily dose to 5–6 servings significantly increases the likelihood of death from a heart attack. Scientists also warn teetotalers against immediately starting to drink alcohol “for health”, considering this an unnecessary measure.

Beer

Due to the craze for beer, it is impossible not to dwell on this drink separately.
Beer is a low-alcohol drink produced by the fermentation of malt with the addition of brewer's yeast and hops.
Regular beer contains from 3 to 6% vol.
In strong varieties from 8 to 14% vol.
This is a very common drink; at least a thousand varieties are produced. It was known to people already 10 thousand years ago! And a number of scientists believe that people began to grow grain crops only to obtain raw materials for the foamy drink.
The quality of beer is determined solely by its taste. It is wrong to believe that the higher the foam, the better the beer. Height foam cap depends only on how the drink was poured into the glass.
The Czech Republic ranks first in beer consumption per capita, followed by Germany and Austria.

The harm of beer
1. The heart that suffers the most from beer abuse is the heart. Doctors call this disorder "bull's heart." The cavities of the heart become larger, its walls thicken, and there is multiple tissue necrosis in the myocardium. Similar changes in the heart appear under the influence of cobalt, an element that is added to beer to stabilize foam. The heart muscle of beer drinkers contains 10 times more cobalt than it should. Cobalt also destroys the mucous membrane of the stomach and esophagus. Bad for the heart and presence in beer large quantity carbon dioxide, as well as large volumes of liquid consumed by beer lovers. Penetrating into the body, beer immediately causes a rush of blood in the vessels, which sooner or later causes varicose veins, as well as an increase in the volume of the heart. Such a diseased heart is large in size, but it functions very poorly.

2. Beer contains substances that change metabolic processes in the body. For example, in the body of representatives of the stronger sex, under the influence of beer, the production of male sex hormones decreases. Such men can be recognized by an increased amount of fat on the sides and hips, enlarged mammary glands, and increased pelvic volume. Beer suppresses sexual interest. According to doctors, 15–20 years of heavy beer consumption causes impotence. Women who drink beer frequently are at greater risk of developing cancer, and may develop a deeper voice and a mustache.

Most modern scientists consider beer to be the first legalized drug. According to experts, beer causes one of the most severe forms of alcoholism. Today, every second first grade student has already tried beer. The consumption of this drink has increased 12 times over the past 10 years. None of the official sources mention what is in beer fusel oils, aldehydes, ethers and methanol are no less than in moonshine and tens of times more than the permissible limit in vodka.

It is officially recognized that the possibility of developing dependence on alcohol among beer drinkers is greater than among wine or vodka drinkers.
The World Health Organization warns that people who frequently drink large quantities of beer increase their risk of developing colon cancer.

Beer contains substances that promote relaxation. This is what makes it so dangerous from an addiction point of view. Gradually, it is no longer possible to imagine a vacation without a few bottles of beer. The situation is aggravated by public opinion, which does not consider beer to be alcohol. Beer alcoholism appears and develops slowly and imperceptibly. After all, the desire to drink beer does not cause anxiety in anyone. This is not vodka! However, once developed, it is more severe than vodka alcoholism. Due to the fact that beer in large quantities is a cellular toxin, it is beer alcoholics who suffer most severely. internal organs: heart, liver, in addition, decreased self-esteem and dementia usually develop. And it is more difficult to recover from this alcoholism.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely recover from beer alcoholism ( just like from anyone else) impossible. Even attempts to control the dose in alcoholics lead to inevitable binge drinking. No matter how many years have passed since the last time you drank beer, everything can start all over again.
Even non-alcoholic beer is dangerous, because it contains a minimal dose of alcohol. Therefore, for many alcoholics, binges begin with a bottle of non-alcoholic beer.

The benefits of beer
1. Body massage using this drink makes the skin silky and soft,
2. Drinking 1 – 2 servings of beer per day prevents premature aging of the body,
3. Beer removes salts of the toxic metal aluminum from cells,
4. According to Japanese scientists, this drink reduces the likelihood of developing cancer by half,
5. The presence of bitterness in the drink activates the digestive tract,
6. Hops have a sedative effect, which is also transmitted to the foamy drink,
7. For those who suffer from excessive sweating, a bath will help: pour a bottle of beer into a bath of warm water and lie down for 15 - 20 minutes,
8. For colds: a mug of warm beer and a tablespoon of honey, add a little cinnamon, cloves and one a raw egg, instead of eggs you can add lemon zest,
9. Takes excellent care of hair, making it manageable and nourishing,
10. According to American scientists, drinking a glass of beer a day reduces the likelihood of developing heart attacks by half.

Absinthe

This drink is banned in most European countries. In the territory of the post-Soviet space it is officially approved for sale and consumption. Refers to strong drinks, contains from 68 to 72% vol., and Swiss varieties up to 80% vol.

Noisy parties, home feasts and other holidays rarely take place without drinking alcohol. However, few people think about the fact that such a treat can not only give you a feeling of relaxation and lift your spirits, but also cause significant harm to health, including death. Find out why alcohol is harmful and how it affects ethanol on the human body, the consumption of which drinks and in what doses is considered optimal.

What is alcohol

Alcohol is essentially ethyl alcohol, a colorless liquid that begins to boil at a temperature of 78 degrees and is highly flammable. It has a specific smell and taste. These characteristics largely depend on its variety. For example, a glass of red wine has a slight tart or sweet taste and smells like grapes. At frequent use any type of alcohol can cause severe dependence, causing various diseases up to and including death.

Is alcohol harmful in small doses?

A little alcohol will help cheer up a person with low blood pressure, and a glass of wine from red grapes once a week will prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases and oncology. However, not a single doctor can recommend this method of treatment to his patient, and all because long-term use strong drinks leads to alcoholism. For the same reasons, WHO has established conditionally safe doses of alcohol for a person per day (provided that two days a week are alcohol-free):

  • for men – 40 grams;
  • for women – 30 grams.

Natural wines and beer

No one will refute the fact that a moderate amount of drinking quality wine or beer has a beneficial effect on the body. These types of alcohol and champagne are prepared by fermentation. To produce the first drink, grapes are used, and for the second, hops and malt are used. The dose of quality drinks per day is:

  • for women – 1 bottle of beer or 2 glasses of dry wine;
  • for men – 2 bottles of beer or 3 glasses of dry wine.

Strong alcoholic drinks

Spirits are produced by distilling certain fermentation products. For example, grain, beets, different types wheat, water. Compared to natural wines and beer, strong alcohol is considered more harmful to the body and more often leads to alcoholism. Minimum daily doses should not exceed:

  • for men – 100 ml of vodka;
  • for women – 80 grams of vodka.

Why is alcohol dangerous?

One can argue endlessly about the dangers of alcohol or its benefits, but scientists advise, first of all, to pay attention to the composition of drinks. Good alcohol should consist only of natural ingredients, but in the vast majority of drinks there are also additional elements. To enhance the taste and give a special aroma or color, the following is added to low-quality products:

  • various essences;
  • dyes;
  • flavorings;
  • fusel oils;
  • acetaldehyde;
  • harmful preservatives.

Toxic effect of ethanol

Ethanol is a natural psychoactive substance that has a negative effect on the nervous system and the body as a whole. Among other alcohol derivatives, ethanol has relatively low toxicity, but if the dosage is exceeded, it has a negative effect on the brain and can lead to death. The same element reduces a person’s reaction speed, affects coordination of movements and clouds thinking.

Fusel oils phenols and acetaldehyde

Often alcohol-containing drinks are rejected due to their excessive content of aldehydes or fusel oils, in the presence of phenols. These indicators determine the quality characteristics of many alcoholic beverages. Depending on the type, alcohol poisons have different effects on the human body:

  • Aldehydes begin fermentation and transformation reactions during the production of strong drinks, actively interacting with other impurities. Its amount, even in the lowest grade “swill,” should not exceed 8 mg/dm3.
  • Phenols in any form are hazardous to health. They cause burns, food allergic reactions, lead to tissue necrosis, respiratory arrest, and paralysis. Their presence is unacceptable in high-quality products.
  • Fusel oils impart organoleptic characteristics to alcoholic beverages. Without them, cognac would only be a mixture of water and alcohol. However, an excess amount leads to severe intoxication, poisoning and a painful hangover. The norm for fusel oils is 4 mg/dm3.

Food additives and colorings

Original drink should consist only of an organic base: malt, hops, herbs, berries or fruits, spices. These additives give the drink a special taste, aroma and color. However, such drinks are usually expensive. Sugar, dyes, and various essences are added to cheap products. Such harmful additives not only improve taste, but also have a negative impact on health, worsening the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract), heart muscle, endocrine system.

Harm of alcoholic drinks

How quickly alcohol is absorbed depends on its concentration in the drink. For example, strong alcohol is more harmful to health and is absorbed faster than wine or beer. About 20% of what you drink is absorbed by the stomach, and the remaining 80% is sent to the small intestine. After alcohol enters the stomach and intestines, it penetrates the systemic bloodstream, traveling along with the blood to other organs and systems of the body. Approximately 10% of everything drunk is excreted by the kidneys and lungs. The liver has to deal with the rest of the harmful substances.

Brain dysfunction

Regular use Ethanol-containing products affect a person’s ability to control his speech, coordinate movements, and the alcoholic’s vision deteriorates. Harmful substances irreversibly destroy brain neurons, due to which pain is dulled and muscle control is reduced. With the development of alcoholism, a person’s memory deteriorates, he perceives the information received poorly, and reacts inadequately to what is happening.

Deterioration of the cardiovascular and circulatory system

Red blood cells carry oxygen and nourish soft tissues throughout the body. On top, red blood cells are covered with a fatty membrane, which helps them move freely, pushing away from each other. As soon as a person takes extra grams of alcohol, the process of destruction of red blood cells begins - the bodies stick together and can no longer easily enter small capillaries, which leads to blockage of blood vessels, the formation of blood clots, which provokes strokes and heart attacks.

Problems with the gastrointestinal tract

Drinking also has a detrimental effect on the digestive system. The gastric mucosa takes the first blow. It becomes thinner over time, leading to the development of ulcers or gastritis. Under the influence of alcohol, varicose formations form in the esophagus, which, even with minor trauma, can provoke internal bleeding. Under the influence of harmful ethanol, the structure of tissues changes, which is why alcohol is considered one of the factors in the development of cancer.

Endocrine disorders

Ethanol also has a negative effect on sexual activity. In men, erection disappears, libido fades, sperm production and motility decreases, and impotence develops. Ethanol reduces the production of testosterone, but increases the level of estrogen, the female hormone. This is why adult men who drink take on feminine characteristics, such as enlarged breasts and fat on the thighs or belly area.

Ethanol has just as active an effect on the female body. U drinking woman On the contrary, the production of estrogen decreases and the amount of testosterone increases. As a result, women's voices become rougher, their gait changes, the menstrual cycle is disrupted, and the ability to bear children is lost. An alcoholic woman does not feel sexual desire and often suffers from early menopause.

Liver and kidney damage

The human liver and kidneys process ethanol and its derivatives. If the normal doses are violated, the liver does not have time to neutralize the entire amount of alcohol, which leads to the deposition of fat in its cells. Over time, such formations lead to hepatosis and cell death. Scars form in place of healthy tissues, and liver cirrhosis develops. In the absence of adequate treatment, the disease develops into cancer.

Even a completely healthy person can feel clear signs that the kidneys cannot cope with alcohol after drinking too much - this is high blood pressure, headache, swelling, pain in the lumbar region. Regular drinking leads to an imbalance in the acid-base balance; the kidneys stop coping with their functions and begin to accumulate toxins and other breakdown products of alcohol.

Nervous system degeneration caused by alcohol

Drinking alcoholic beverages from time to time does not lead to serious mental changes, unlike alcoholism. A sick person first experiences joy, euphoria, and peace, which are subsequently replaced by depression, aggression, and loss of interests. Personality degradation is irreversible - drunkenness often leads to hallucinations, mental insanity, and delirium tremens.

Damage to nerve cells

Alcohol develops alcohol dependence and leads to degradation of the nervous system. Scientists have found that ethanol not only destroys the connection between brain cells, but can also change their structure, which leads to the development of cancer. In addition, irreversible damage to nerve cells is fraught with the development of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. This neurological disease is characterized by memory problems, visual impairment, and can lead to paralysis and complete amnesia.

Aggression and irritability

The stage of intoxication, in which a person begins to experience aggression, becomes irritable and gets into a fight, is dangerous for others. Sound arguments no longer work on such a person; often what is said only worsens the situation. Research shows that aggressiveness largely depends on individual personality traits. The list of such criteria includes:

  • aggressive character;
  • previous head injuries;
  • mental disorders;
  • nervous overstrain before drinking alcohol.

Depressive states

There is also an absolutely opposite effect of alcohol on the human body, when instead of irritability a person begins to experience apathy. Almost all heavy alcoholics experience such mental deviations, the intensity of which depends on the duration of alcoholism and the amount of alcohol taken. The main symptoms of alcoholic depression:

  • apathy;
  • vision of the surrounding world in shades of gray;
  • tearfulness;
  • lack of brightness of emotional sensations;
  • lack of joy.

Dementia

Dementia is a disorder mental functions, caused by serious damage to brain structures, or, more simply, dementia. Regular drinking makes it difficult to acquire new knowledge and leads to partial or complete loss of previously acquired skills. Dementia is dangerous because a person can no longer make decisions on his own, reason logically, his sense of duty, politeness, and delicacy disappear.

Why alcohol is bad for teenagers

Parents should constantly remind their growing child that drinking alcohol is harmful and serve own example healthy lifestyle. Often children turn to alcohol due to lack of attention in the family, when they feel like a burden or unnecessary and strive to assert themselves. First, they begin to drink low-alcohol drinks, gradually increasing their strength.

If you convert sweet drinks to vodka, then you will need about 50-10 ml of strong alcohol per package. Canned cocktails contain a lot of sugar and chemical additives that have a negative impact on gastrointestinal tract, metabolism, absorption of vitamins and nutrients. What is harmful about alcohol for a teenager is its development in the future diabetes mellitus, stomach ulcers, pancreatitis, hepatitis.

Consequences of female alcoholism

If we compare male addiction with female addiction, the latter is much more dangerous and difficult to treat. It has been scientifically proven that women get drunk faster than men due to physiological characteristics, lower body weight, and psychological factors. Harm of drinking alcohol for women:

  • they are more susceptible to early liver cirrhosis and other pathologies;
  • the functions of the thyroid gland are impaired;
  • memory and the ability to perceive new information sharply deteriorate;
  • Alcohol is especially harmful for expectant mothers - it leads to infertility and reduces the production of female hormones - estrogens.

Pregnant women should remember that ethanol has a negative effect not only on their body, but on the formation of the fetus and the mental development of the child. Such ladies have a high risk of having disabled children, babies with physical or mental disabilities. Alcohol abuse in the first trimester can cause miscarriage, in the second – placental abruption, and in the third – premature birth.

Video


The topic of the dangers of alcohol is not new and is known to everyone. But the main thing that makes alcohol harmful is the ease with which a person connects his fate with it. After drinking, a person does not become irresistible and self-confident, as he imagines. The difference between a drunk person's perception of himself and how others react to his behavior is exactly the opposite. This fact is obvious and indisputable. This is evidenced by the removal of an inadequate person from work, divorces with scandals, fatal illnesses and the lion's share of accidents. Alcohol is very harmful.

Physical effects of alcohol on humans

When a person abuses alcohol, his nerve cells begin to be destroyed. This is felt as a clouding of consciousness, a disruption of the connections between organs. All this causes inappropriate behavior with unpredictable consequences not only in contacts with other people, but also destruction of the body. When blood comes into contact with alcohol, it becomes thicker, resulting in increased blood pressure, hypertension, and blood clots in the blood vessels. You should know that this can lead to blockage of the system and death.

How harmful alcohol is when consumed systematically is clearly visible in the condition of the drinker’s liver.

The liver is an organ that filters toxins.

In order to reliably remove toxins from the body, the liver needs time to recover. If the body is systematically poisoned by toxins, the liver does not recover completely, resulting in fatty degeneration. The next step to destroying the liver is. The next stage of liver disease is cirrhosis, which leads to death.

One of the most harmful consequences of systematic drunkenness is the destructive effect on the structural tissues of the brain. Due to clogged capillaries, these tissues experience oxygen starvation. The cerebral cortex functions with disturbances. First of all, the node that controls the vestibular apparatus is damaged. Coordination of movements noticeably deteriorates. Damage also affects memory function. Such damage can be so deep that the next day a person cannot remember what happened to him. With frequent memory failures, the thinking ability changes, the character of a person, his psyche is gradually transformed. As a result, personality degradation may occur. If a person does not find the incentive and strength to stop drinking, irreversible changes will occur.

The effect of alcohol on the psyche

After drinking alcohol, a person perceives the actions of others as intentional. Therefore, in various feasts, accompanied by significant libations, quarrels and conflicts occur with serious consequences. The participants themselves later note that they would not have done this without the alcohol they drank.

Alcohol is an excellent solvent. This property can cause damage to the gastric mucosa and form ulcers. The load on the pancreas increases, which can cause severe and dangerous disease– pancreatitis. Alcohol abuse develops impotence. Why is alcohol dangerous for expectant parents? The consequences for future offspring conceived in an alcoholic state are unpredictable.

Family alcoholism has an extremely negative impact on children. Babies perceive alcohol so easily that penetration can even occur through the skin. Cases have been recorded where a child received alcohol poisoning after a compress and rubbing with alcohol. Alcoholism is transmitted through mother's milk. At older, school age, sleep disturbances occur. These disturbances are interspersed with night terrors. During the day, a bad mood syndrome occurs. Taken together, these phenomena can cause dementia. There are situations when children are ashamed of their drinking parents. They are forced to lie and hide something. The psyche becomes unstable.

Adults are role models

In families where parents drink regularly, children are often left to their own devices, that is, to self-education without proper guidelines. They are brought up on the street and acquire bad habits, study below their abilities, receive insufficient positive experiences in life, do not define a life goal and cannot properly realize themselves, constantly losing their potential.

Whatever we touch, we see that alcohol is harmful. If in small doses it can be some kind of medicine, then there are practically no people who competently use such medicine for good. Most families have traditions that accompany holidays and various types of celebrations with feasts with alcohol. There are people who know how to think independently and determine their life goals. They feel free at any feast, know the insidiousness of alcohol and, despite any temptations that come from drinking alcohol, go their own way.

Most great harm alcohol lies in its insidiousness, causing imitation and preservation of the traditions of drinking alcohol. All people, including young people, know about the dangers of alcohol, but rarely can anyone at a young age correctly develop a healthy attitude towards alcoholic beverages. In connection with this state of affairs, it is useless and even harmful to prohibit alcohol, remembering that the forbidden fruit is sweet.

Independent adults should show an example of their attitude towards alcohol in all their behavior at feasts. This attitude should reflect restraint, bordering on indifference. Do not elevate drinking alcohol to the level of admiration and subtly highlight a position that shows awareness. A self-confident, decent person who evokes the admiration of others will always serve as an example for a person of any age.

Thank you for your feedback

Comments

    Megan92 () 2 weeks ago

    Has anyone succeeded in ridding their husband of alcoholism? My drink never stops, I don’t know what to do anymore ((I was thinking about getting a divorce, but I don’t want to leave the child without a father, and I feel sorry for my husband, he’s a great person when he doesn’t drink

    Daria () 2 weeks ago

    I have already tried so many things, and only after reading this article, I was able to wean my husband off alcohol; now he doesn’t drink at all, even on holidays.

    Megan92 () 13 days ago

    Daria () 12 days ago

    Megan92, that’s what I wrote in my first comment) I’ll duplicate it just in case - link to article.

    Sonya 10 days ago

    Isn't this a scam? Why do they sell on the Internet?

    Yulek26 (Tver) 10 days ago

    Sonya, what country do you live in? They sell it on the Internet because stores and pharmacies charge outrageous markups. In addition, payment is only after receipt, that is, they first looked, checked and only then paid. And now they sell everything on the Internet - from clothes to TVs and furniture.

    Editor's response 10 days ago

    Sonya, hello. This drug is used to treat alcohol addiction really is not sold through pharmacy chains and retail stores in order to avoid inflated prices. Currently you can only order from official website. Be healthy!

    Sonya 10 days ago

    I apologize, I didn’t notice the information about cash on delivery at first. Then everything is fine if payment is made upon receipt.

    Margo (Ulyanovsk) 8 days ago

    Has anyone tried it? traditional methods to get rid of alcoholism? My father drinks, I can’t influence him in any way ((

    Andrey () A week ago

    Which ones folk remedies I haven’t tried it, my father-in-law still drinks

    Ekaterina A week ago

    I tried to give my husband a decoction of bay leaf(she said it was good for the heart), so within an hour he left with the men to drink. I no longer believe in these folk methods...

    Maria 5 days ago

The forefather of modern medicine, Hippocrates, put wine treatment on a scientific basis. “Wine is a thing surprisingly suitable for a person, both in health and in illness. It is prescribed as needed and in certain quantities in accordance with the individual physique,” ​​wrote the great doctor.

But at the same time he warned: “Many things turn out to be healing only if they are used in a timely manner. Wine given to the patient on time serves as medicine. And, on the contrary, drunk inappropriately, it can cause violence, fever, and therefore turn not into a medicine, but into the cause of an illness.”

Many studies have shown that life expectancy is significantly higher in those regions where winemaking is traditional - Greece, France, Italy, Spain. It is in these countries that people are least susceptible to cardiovascular diseases. The cause of heart attacks and strokes is the destruction of blood vessels.

Cholesterol is deposited on the walls of blood vessels, they narrow and lose elasticity. The blood thickens, forming blood clots, and clogs the arteries. Harmful cholesterol, as scientists have found, is found in fatty animal foods and dairy products.

The situation with cardiovascular diseases was worst among the Finns and Americans, the best was on the Greek island of Crete. Americans obsessed with healthy way life, began to degrease all food. But... this did not change the situation.

Then the whole world started talking about the French phenomenon - despite the fact that the French and Americans consumed almost the same amount of fat, and with the same level of cholesterol in the blood, the mortality rate from coronary insufficiency in the French was 2.5 times less!

The phenomenon was explained simply; the French traditionally drank wine, which is an excellent remedy prevention of cardiovascular diseases. You need to drink wine, as nutritionists advise, regularly, and not occasionally.

Otherwise, the preventive effect will not be achieved. Moreover, heavy libations only on weekends, even with the healthiest red wine, give the exact opposite result. Wine, like a medicine, should be taken every day - one glass with dinner.

When scientists and nutritionists talk about preventive drinking, they mean only healthy people. Recommendations to skip a glass or two (but no more) of good light wine at dinner apply only to those who do not have bad heredity.

If your grandfather, father or someone close to you liked to “pawn by the collar”, then you need to abstain from constant drinking of alcohol. Wine therapy should be started only in cases where it is not contraindicated in treatment prescribed for another reason.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, drinking alcoholic beverages, even the lightest (including beer), is strictly prohibited. “Drunk conception” can also lead to the birth of a defective child. Alcohol has been proven to cause irreparable harm embryo.

Athletes with large physical exercise, should completely give up alcohol, as it is not the best way affects the muscular system. In professional sports, even a tiny dose of alcohol on the eve of a competition is enough to reduce athletic performance.

Such strictures do not apply to athletes who run around stadiums and swim in pools in the morning. A couple of glasses of wine with meals will not cause any harm to your health.

The Scythian sage Anacharsis said: “At home, people drink the first glass for health, the second for pleasure, the third for arrogance, and the last for madness.”