The influence of alcohol on the body

The influence of alcohol on the body

The influence of alcohol on the body

introduction

The consumption of alcohol is part of everyday life in many cultures. Whether at social events, celebrations or just to relax - alcohol is often consumed. But what effects does this enjoyment have on our bodies? In this specialist article we will look at the influence of alcohol on the human organism.

What is alcohol?

At the outset, it is important to note that the term “alcohol” is a collective term for a group of chemical compounds. However, in a human context, the term most often refers to ethanol, the most commonly consumed form of alcohol. Ethanol is produced by the fermentation of alcoholic liquids such as grains, fruits or grapes.

How is alcohol broken down?

Alcohol is broken down in the body primarily in the liver via various enzymes. The enzyme “alcohol dehydrogenase” (ADH) first converts ethanol into acetaldehyde. This intermediate step is toxic and can lead to unpleasant side effects, such as headaches or nausea.

The more powerful metabolic pathway for eliminating acetaldehyde runs via the enzyme “acetaldehyde dehydrogenase” (ALDH). Acetaldehyde is converted into acetic acid, which is further broken down and finally metabolized into carbon dioxide and water.

The effects of alcohol on the body

Short-term effects:

1.Brain: Alcohol affects the central nervous system (CNS) and can cause slowed reactions, incoordination, memory problems or even loss of consciousness.
2.Cardiovascular system: Moderate alcohol consumption can temporarily lower blood pressure, while chronic and excessive consumption can increase the risk of heart disease.
3.liver: Regular consumption of alcohol can lead to fatty liver disease. If consumed at high levels, there is a risk of liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.
4.Gastrointestinal tract: Caused by increased stomach acid production, drinking alcohol can lead to stomach pain, heartburn and inflammation of the esophagus.

Long-term effects:

1.Seeks: Regular heavy drinking can develop a dependency known as alcoholism.
2.Mental health: Heavy drinking is linked to anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses.
3.Cancer diseases: Chronic abuse of alcohol increases the risk of various types of cancer, such as mouth, throat, liver or breast cancer.
4.Cardiovascular diseases: Long-term high alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias and heart muscle weakness.

FAQs

1. How much alcohol is safe?

The definition of “moderate” or safe consumption varies depending on the source and individual circumstances. In general, medical guidelines recommend moderate consumption of no more than one standard serving per day for women and up to two standard servings per day for men.

2. Does the body have a tolerance to alcohol?

Yes, with regular alcohol consumption, the body often develops a tolerance to the effects of alcohol. This means larger amounts are needed to achieve the same effect.

3. Are certain drinks less harmful than others?

The level of harmfulness depends not only on the pure ethanol content, but also on other factors such as the sugar content or additional ingredients in an alcoholic drink. In general, however, it should be emphasized that excessive consumption of any type of alcoholic beverage can have negative health consequences.

conclusion

Alcohol consumption can have short-term and long-term effects on various organs in the body. Although moderate amounts of alcohol can provide health benefits in some cases, the negative effects usually outweigh the negative effects of frequent and excessive consumption. It is important to control your own alcohol consumption and to be aware that drinking alcohol can have medical consequences.

External sources

• World Health Organization (WHO) – Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol’s Impact on Your Health: