Alcohol has some health benefits that have emerged, especially in recent years. However, too much alcohol eliminates the health benefits and carries many risks.

 

Pro alcohol

 

Despite many reservations, there is no doubt that small amounts of alcohol can prolong life by reducing health risks. Regular small amounts of alcohol have a positive effect on the heart and sugar balance. An American he study showed that a group of diabetics with an average age of 69 years had a significantly lower risk of developing coronary heart disease than abstainers. The mortality rate of those who consumed one alcoholic drink per day was lower than those who did not drink alcohol at all.

 

Alcohol in moderation increases the level of the "good" HDL cholesterol and prevents blood clotting, reduces the risk of heart attack, protects against type 2 diabetes and ischaemic stroke, in which the HDL cholesterol transports the "bad" LDL cholesterol out of the body.

 

 

Contra alcohol

 

Since it is difficult to tell who is at risk of becoming addicted to alcohol, no one should start drinking even moderately just for the health benefits. In addition, any health benefits are eliminated if you drink too much alcohol.

Regular excessive alcohol consumption can damage the liver and promote a number of cancers, e.g. mouth cancer and oesophageal cancer. Too much alcohol can also increase blood pressure and cause heart problems. Osteoporosis and depression are also directly linked to increased alcohol consumption.

 

The danger of having one alcoholic drink a day is that it can lead to a second and third drink and cause damage to your health.

 

Alcohol also has a number of negative effects. Reactivity, inhibitions, memory and coordination are impaired. The sleep rhythm can be disturbed and sexual potency reduced. Alcohol abuse causes the brain to shrink.

 

The older a person gets, the faster the body absorbs alcohol. A glass of wine for a 20-year-old woman does not have the same effect as a glass of wine for a 50-year-old woman. The older a person gets, the more the daily moderate consumption of alcohol should be limited in order to avoid negative health effects.