Alcohol myths and facts
? — Moderate drinking reduces heart attack risk
Some medical research has shown that moderate drinking supply some benefits for protecting our heart. But researchers underline:
Our results suggest that moderate drinking could be viewed as a complement, rather than an alternative, to lifestyle interventions such as regular physical activity, weight loss and quitting smoking.
However, as history of science has shown in many cases – we have to take it carefully. It's controversial statement, there are some 'pluses' and 'minuses'. According to investigation results helpful function of ethanol seems to rely on its altering the fats system in body (raising the level of so-called 'good' cholesterol in the bloodstream) and reducing atherosclerosis risk.
However, people prone to addictions and less resistant to alcohol because of some genetic reasons are always in danger. Permanent drinking may cause damages in nerve system, liver and pancreas. That's not all so good. Some research shown that people with heart diseases experience their health and mood getting better but it's concerned with calmative and anesthetic properties of alcohol. Oxygen transport to heart muscle (myocardium) was shown not to be intensified after drinking glass of vine. Furthermore, alcohol causes changes in blood pressure which are dangerous to heart.
Fragment cited above is very important. You should remember that alcohol is not an alternative way to have healthy life.
? — Men is more resistant to alcohol than women
The true is that after drinking the same amounts of alcohol by man and woman, its concentration in man's organism will be lower. However, mechanism of addiction and diseases occurrence related to alcohol abuse depends on features of one's individual organism, not sex.
? — Alcohol enhances immunity
False. Alcohol suppresses biological defenses to avoid infection and other biological invasions by reducing white blood cells (leukocytes) activity.
? — Alcohol helps to fall asleep
Falling asleep after drinking alcohol is a result of toxic properties of alcohol and it's interaction with brain. Sleeping because of alcohol is not natural way of dreaming and drunken orgamism cannot rest and regenerate in an appropriate way.
? — Alcohol helps digestion
Most of occasionally drinking people experience that alcohol helps digestion. However, alcohol causes damages in mucous membranes, liver, pancreas, perturbs work of intestine, and makes absorption of nutrients more difficult. All of those factors are of great concern for your gastrointestinal tract.
? — Alcohol treat kidneys
True. Moderate beer drinking is sometimes recommended for people who have kidney stones because of its diuretic features.
