In the long history and culture of the Chinese nation, wine culture occupies an important position. Since ancient times, wine has played a role in Chinese culture not only as a drink, but also as a carrier of emotions and art. Poets and writers of the past generations have frequently mentioned wine in their works, such as "There is wine today, today is drunk", "Life must be drunk when there is wine", etc., all of which reflect the deep connection between wine and Chinese culture.
However, there are different views in society about the relationship between alcohol and health. On the one hand, some people believe that drinking alcohol in moderation can promote blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis, which is good for health. In fact, whether or not drinking alcohol is healthy depends on a variety of factors, including the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption, as well as the health of the individual.
Drinking alcohol in moderation may have certain health benefits for some people, such as improved cardiovascular function. However, excessive alcohol consumption is undoubtedly harmful and can lead to liver disease, heart disease, mental health problems, and more. Therefore, the key is to control the amount of alcohol consumed and make decisions based on the individual's health status.
There are four categories of people who should be "not drunk".
Alcohol addiction is a progressively increasing problem for alcohol-dependent individuals. This kind of pathological drinking behavior, inability to control oneself, and even the inability to quit. For these individuals, drinking alcohol is not only a volcano for pouring oil, but also further worsens their condition, causing greater harm to their health.
In patients with liver disease, the metabolism of alcohol places an additional burden on the liver as it plays an important role in disposing of waste products from the body. Liver damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption can trigger liver disease, and for people who already have liver disease, drinking alcohol can further increase the burden on the liver, accelerate the disease process, and cause greater health risks.
For people with heart disease, drinking alcohol may increase the workload of the heart, which can increase the likelihood of a heart attack. Therefore, for people with heart disease, avoiding alcohol is an important measure to reduce the stress on the heart and reduce the risk of developing the disease.
Drinking alcohol in pregnant women poses a serious threat to the health of the fetus and may lead to birth defects, intellectual disability, and other problems. To ensure the healthy development of the fetus, pregnant women should avoid alcohol altogether.
Is it okay to drink too much?
When discussing the relationship between alcohol consumption and health, there is a common misconception that drinking alcohol in moderation is not harmful to health. However, numerous studies have shown that alcohol consumption is strongly associated with multiple health risks, regardless of the amount of alcohol consumed.
In January 2022, the World Heart Federation released a report on the relationship between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular health. Even small amounts of alcohol may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the report. These diseases include coronary artery disease, stroke, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and hypertensive heart disease, among others. The study found that even small drinkers had a 1.06-fold, 1.14-fold, 1.24-fold, and 1.09-fold increased risk of developing these diseases, respectively, compared to those who didn't drink at all.
The mechanism of alcohol damage to the body lies in the acetaldehyde produced by the metabolism of organs such as the liver after alcohol ingestion. In some people, the activity of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase is insufficient or absent, resulting in the inability of acetaldehyde to be metabolized effectively, which can easily accumulate and cause alcohol poisoning. Not only does this cause damage to the liver, but it can also affect cardiovascular and kidney health.
In addition, according to relevant studies, there are about 230 diseases related to alcohol consumption, of which 40 are directly related to alcohol consumption. Therefore, even if you drink alcohol in moderation, it can cause adverse effects on your body over time.