Alcohol consumption has been on for ages while contention has been on the benefits of these fermented beverages. Alcohol is produced through the process of fermentation of sugar and fruits or any other sources of sugars that can act like drugs.
Culturally, alcohol plays some societal roles which brought to fore its existential benefits, notwithstanding this, there have been numerous research on the veracity of these benefits. Â
In this post, you will get to understand the benefits and disadvantages of booze or alcoholic beverages and drinks. Also, check this leading rehab centre for heroin detox in Houston.
Benefits Of Booze
There has been contention on the argument that booze is beneficial to the human being, this contention is more likely because there are no certain standards for moderate alcohol consumption in an average adult and as such, the benefits may not be encompassing all individuals.
Reducing Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease
A research study conducted at Harvard University discovered that moderate (emphasis on moderate) alcohol consumption increases levels of high-density lipoprotein, HDL. Higher HDL (good cholesterol) levels are associated with protection against heart disease.
Also, it’s been found that moderate consumption of booze has some beneficial effect which ranges from insulin sensitivity to improvement in the process of blood clotting.
Lower Diabetes Risk
According to the American Journal of Public Health (September 2016 Review), Moderate consumption of booze or alcohol drinks helps lower your risk for type 2 diabetes. According to this research, people who drink one to two drinks per day have a 40 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who don’t drink alcohol.
Notwithstanding the accrued benefit of the above, this study found out that there is an increased risk of diabetes with higher alcohol consumption, when the drink passes the threshold of moderation, there is a higher tendency of diabetes.
Improved Libido
In a 2009 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, there is a lower risk of erectile dysfunction amongst moderate drinkers.
Prevention Of Gallstones
Moderate alcohol consumption also protects against gallstones by reducing the formation of stones in the gallbladder and increasing gallbladder motility.
According to research carried out at the University of East Anglia, moderate alcohol consumption per day lowers the risk of symptomatic gallstones by 40 percent.
Prevention Of Common Cold
According to the study carried out by The Department of Psychology at Mellon University, it was discovered that moderate alcohol consumption reduces the chances of getting the common cold.
Likewise in 2012, in the New York Times, Spanish researchers revealed that taking eight to fourteen glasses of wine per week, especially Red Wine, reduces the chances of developing a common cold by 60 percent.
Disadvantages Of Booze
As you know that everything with benefits does have disadvantages, it’s now the choice of an individual to weigh both to make a rational decision. Not everyone has the self-control that moderate alcohol intake require and as such could lead to heavy or binge drinking which may lead to inflammation or scarring of the liver.
Risk Of Breast Cancer
Considerable studies and energies have been expanded into studying the risk alcohol consumption has on breast cancer, and it’s proven that the higher the consumption, the higher the risk.
It is a fact that drinking as little as one drink in a day has the potential of increasing the risk of alcohol-related cancers such as cancer of the oral cavity, female breast, liver, esophagus, and larynx and there is a higher risk for smokers who drink. Â
Weight Gain
Alcohol consumption causes weight gain in drinkers. The calories content in a drink ranges between 100 – 150 calories per serving and having a minimum of 3 drinks per day is a huge mess of calories. Likewise, mixing drinks increases the calories level in the drink.
Risk Of Cardiovascular Diseases
Though it has been proven that moderate consumption of alcohol reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest, and other cardiovascular diseases. While that may be the case, increased consumption of more than four drinks a day would increase the risk of hypertension, stroke, and heart attacks, and may even lead to death.
Liver Damage
Heavy alcohol consumption taxes the liver to work more as it’s the liver that filters the alcohol in the body system. When the liver filters large amounts of alcohol, it produces metabolites that are harmful to your health which causes diseases such as fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver inflammation.
Damages Digestive Tract
According to an October 2014 review published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, alcohol is shown to damage the entire gastrointestinal tract. Some types of alcohol such as ethanol can cause direct damage to the esophagus, intestine, stomach, liver, and pancreas.
