Lao Li is an old friend who likes to have a few drinks. Every day at dinner, she would pour a small glass of white wine, smack it twice, and always say, "A small amount of wine is good for your health!" ”
But do you know that Lao Li has been a little depressed lately. She attended a health lecture, and the expert said: "Drinking a drop of alcohol is harmful, there is no such thing as moderation!" Lao Li chuckled in his heart, should he change his habits for many years?
She sat on a park bench, holding the half-bottled bottle of unfinished wine in her hand, and wondered: "I have believed in 'moderate amounts' for half my life, why did it suddenly change?" Lao Li in the sunset, her brows were tightly locked, as if the bottle of wine had become a knot in her heart.
What is the truth about this drinking? Lao Li decided to find out. Let's follow her and explore!
01
The controversy between alcohol and health
However, despite the profound heritage and extensive influence of wine culture in China, the controversy about wine and health has never stopped. Many people believe that drinking alcohol in moderation is good for health, can relax muscles and blood, relieve stress, etc.
But in reality, scientific research has proven this view wrong.
Alcohol is a harmful substance that damages many tissue systems in the body, including the brain, blood vessels, heart, and reproductive organs.
Long-term alcohol consumption can also lead to the occurrence of a variety of diseases, such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, liver cirrhosis, etc. In addition, alcohol can also increase the risk of cancer, including throat cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, etc.
Therefore, from a health point of view, we should try to avoid alcohol or limit the amount of alcohol we drink. For those who have already developed a drinking habit, they should also gradually reduce the amount of alcohol they drink to protect their physical health.
The dangers of drinking alcohol during special periods
In addition to the damage to the body, drinking alcohol can also bring greater harm during certain special periods.
During pregnancy, the fetus's brain neurons are at a critical stage of germination and are very sensitive to external stimuli.
If a pregnant woman consumes alcohol, it can trigger fetal alcohol syndrome (FASD), which can lead to mental retardation, physical development, and mobility impairment. In the most severe cases, it can even lead to stillbirth.
During puberty, the neurons in the brain are in the developing stage, and drinking alcohol at this time can hinder the connection and formation of neurons, reducing cognitive function.
At the same time, adolescence is also a critical period for a person to form good behavioral habits and values, and if you start drinking alcohol at this stage, it may have a negative impact on your future life.
In old age, the development of the brain gradually declines, the number of neurons decreases, the area becomes smaller, and the brain will appear to be in a state of atrophy.
Alcohol, on the other hand, accelerates the rate of atrophy and increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease in older adults. In addition, the elderly are more susceptible to the harm and effects of alcohol due to reasons such as decreased physical function and weakened immunity.
Myths about drinking in moderation
Many people believe that drinking alcohol in moderation is good for their health, but this view is not accurate. In fact, even moderate alcohol consumption can have adverse effects on the body.
The World Health Organization clearly states that alcohol is a harmful substance and that no form of drinking is harmful. Therefore, we should try to avoid alcohol or limit the amount of alcohol we drink.
So, what is moderate drinking? According to the World Health Organization, moderate drinking refers to no more than two standard units of alcohol per day for men (each standard unit of drinking is equivalent to 10 grams of pure alcohol) and no more than one unit of standard alcohol per day for women.
But it should be noted that this standard is only a relative value, and for different people, the tolerance to alcohol will also vary due to differences in physique, age, gender, and other factors.
Therefore, in practice, we should judge whether and how much we should drink according to our actual situation.
In modern society, wine culture, as a part of the traditional culture of the Chinese nation, carries the precipitation of history and regional characteristics, and enriches people's lives.
However, with the increase in health awareness, people's perception of alcohol is also changing. Drinking alcohol in moderation may bring temporary pleasure, but excessive drinking can cause serious harm to the body.
Therefore, we should establish a correct concept of health, drink alcohol in moderation, and cherish life. While enjoying the wine culture, we should pay more attention to health and stay away from alcohol. Let's join hands to promote healthy drinking and build a harmonious society.