Is Alcohol Really Bad For You?

A Study On Its Effects...

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Must Read Article💡

We all know that drinking alcohol is not the best for our bodies. But how bad is it really?

In this article by healthline.com, they discuss the effects that alcohol has on our body and the dangers that drinking alcohol can bring! Here are a couple of the main points.👇👇

  • Digestive and endocrine glands: Inflammation of the pancreas, leading to pancreatitis.

  • Inflammatory damage: Interference with liver function, leading to alcohol-related liver disease and chronic liver inflammation (cirrhosis).

  • Sexual and reproductive health: Reduced sex hormone production, lower libido, erectile dysfunction, difficulty achieving orgasm, and potential infertility.

  • Immune system: Reduced immunity, higher risk of pneumonia and tuberculosis, and increased cancer risk.

You won’t necessarily feel alcohol’s impact on your body right away, but it starts from the moment you take your first sip.

Ann Pietrangelo and Crystal Raypole

Parker’s Breakdown: Alcohol 🔑

Alcohol, when enjoyed in moderation, can be part of a balanced lifestyle. However, it's important to be aware of the long-term effects that excessive drinking can have on your body. Heavy drinking over extended periods can lead to mood changes, trouble sleeping, and a weakened immune system. It can also affect your liver, pancreas, heart, and digestive system, potentially leading to serious conditions like liver disease, pancreatitis, and heart disease. Memory and concentration issues can also arise, along with increased tension in relationships.

The key to avoiding these health problems is moderation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest up to one drink per day for women and up to two for men. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy social occasions and the occasional drink without significant health risks. So, when friends invite you out, feel free to join them and have a good time. Just remember to drink responsibly and keep it within moderate limits. This balanced approach allows you to enjoy life while maintaining your health.

If you are going to drink here are a couple choices I would stick with:

  • Tequila:

    • A 1.5 oz shot of tequila has 98 calories, compared to 106 calories for vodka and 113 calories for whiskey. Tequila is also made from agave nectar, a natural sugar, instead of refined sugars or corn syrup, which can be high in calories.

  • Vodka:

    • Vodka is also a neutral spirit that can be mixed with almost anything, making it a good option for people who like to experiment with new cocktails. It also is a great lower calorie alcohol

  • Red Wine:

    • Red wine contains antioxidants, such as resveratrol, which may help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart and decrease inflammation.

The Study 📖 

This study was a combined analysis of individual-participant data from 83 prospective studies in 19 high-income countries, including data from the Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration, EPIC-CVD, and the UK Biobank. The analysis focused on 599,912 current drinkers without previous cardiovascular disease. Participants' alcohol consumption was categorized into eight predefined groups based on grams consumed per week. The researchers assessed alcohol consumption in relation to all-cause mortality, total cardiovascular disease, and several cardiovascular disease subtypes. They used Cox regression models to calculate hazard ratios, adjusting for various confounding factors. To account for long-term variability in alcohol consumption, the researchers used multi-level regression calibration with information from 152,640 serial assessments in 71,011 individuals from 37 studies. The study also estimated reductions in life expectancy based on different levels of alcohol consumption.

Here’s what they found:

  • Compared to those drinking ≤100 g/week, those drinking >100-≤200 g, >200-≤350 g, or >350 g per week had shorter life expectancy at age 40 of approximately 6 months, 1-2 years, or 4-5 years respectively.

  • Men drinking above the US upper limit (196 g/week) had 2.7 years shorter life expectancy at age 40 compared to those drinking below this limit.

  • Alcohol consumption showed positive and roughly linear associations with:

    • Stroke, Coronary disease excluding myocardial infarction, Heart failure, Fatal hypertensive disease, Fatal aortic aneurysm

  • A J-shaped curve association was observed for the aggregate of cardiovascular disease outcomes.

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