Table of contents:
- What are the bad effects of alcoholic drinks if consumed carelessly?
- 1. Damage to the brain
- 2. Impaired liver function (liver)
- 3. Trigger hypertension
- 4. Increase the risk of cancer
- 5. Interferes with fetal development
- What to do if you have experienced the bad effects of alcohol?
- What is the safe drinking limit?
Alcohol is a type of drink that is often consumed, either because it tastes delicious or just as a relaxing drink when you hang out with the people closest to you. Apparently, alcoholic drinks have been known since 4,000 BC, you know.
However, there are many drinking rules that must be followed. For example, children should not consume it, adults should not drink too much or too often, and pregnant women should avoid alcohol. Why, really, shouldn't alcoholic drinks be consumed carelessly? Is alcohol bad for the body? Find out why here.
What are the bad effects of alcoholic drinks if consumed carelessly?
1. Damage to the brain
Drinking alcohol carelessly can actually cause damage to the brain. Of course this is also influenced by how much you drink, age, gender, and family history of alcohol consumption. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to amnesia and dementia.
This condition can even cause problems in language, logical thinking, and solving problems. This is because alcohol will make your brain atrophy, or shrink from its size it should.
2. Impaired liver function (liver)
Too much alcoholic drinks can also interfere with liver function. This is of course influenced by the amount of your alcohol intake. The risk of impaired liver function increases if alcohol consumption is> 60-80 grams per day in men and> 20 grams per day in women, for 10 years or more.
Liver disorders that occur vary widely, depending on the severity. If you are still early you may not have any symptoms. However, you can also find a picture of blood vessels in your stomach which is often referred to as'spider nevi.
In addition, when a liver function test is performed, your laboratory values may increase above normal, indicating liver disease or disease.
3. Trigger hypertension
Excess alcohol consumption can actually increase blood pressure by 1.5 mmHg for every 10 grams of alcohol consumption per day. However, this condition will improve after you stop consuming alcohol for 2-4 weeks.
4. Increase the risk of cancer
The habit of consuming alcoholic beverages unnaturally can also increase the risk of developing cancer. The consumption of alcohol in excessive amounts and for a long time, can cause mutations in DNA, inflammation occurs, and ultimately triggers changes in precancerous cells into cancer cells.
Furthermore, with a weak immune system, cancer cells will spread to various organs of the body. Cancer of the mouth, larynx, esophagus and liver often occurs in those who consume excessive amounts of alcohol.
5. Interferes with fetal development
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can actually have a bad impact and cause it to happen fetal alcohol syndrome. This syndrome will cause developmental disorders in the fetus. Disorders can include low birth weight, abnormalities in the baby's face and head, nervous system disorders, hearing loss, vision problems, and mental retardation in your little one.
If you are pregnant, it is highly recommended not to consume alcohol. Alcohol, especially if it is in excess, can have devastating effects on your fetus.
What to do if you have experienced the bad effects of alcohol?
- First, stop consuming alcohol. This action can have a good effect on your heart and brain. A three-month alcohol fast can have a repairing effect on your liver. Meanwhile, fasting alcohol for a year will help repair brain damage.
- Check with your doctor if you have experienced disorders in the body due to alcohol.
- Pay attention to your nutritional intake, keep eating nutritious foods and don't let you lack the intake of vitamins and minerals or any nutrients.
What is the safe drinking limit?
Numerous studies have revealed the benefits of drinking alcohol. So, alcoholic drinks are not always bad, really. It's just that you need to follow the rules of drinking alcohol that is wise, safe, and responsible. One of them is by drinking alcohol within reasonable limits. It should be noted, the limit for each person is different because the conditions and bodies of each are clearly different.
According to a number of studies and health agencies around the world, healthy adult men and women (do not have any disease or health condition) are not recommended to consume more than fourteen units of alcohol a week (or three units of alcohol a day).
However, these fourteen units should not be taken at one time in one day. Give yourself a break of two to three days during which you don't drink alcohol at all.
One unit of alcohol alone is roughly equivalent to the following measurements.
- 240 - 280 ml (one glass of star fruit or half a large glass) of beer with an alcohol content of 3-4 percent.
- 50 mlwineor sake with an alcohol content of 12-20 percent.
- 25 ml of liquor such as whiskey,Scotch,gin, vodka, and tequila with a 40 percent alcohol content.
Remember, each product contains a different alcohol content. Always pay attention and calculate the alcohol content that you will order. The reason is, two glasses of beer are equivalent to drinking four units of alcohol a day. This is certainly past safe limits. So, you shouldn't order or drink any more.
