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Weighing the Benefits and Risks of Alcohol
As with most aspects of life, moderation and self-control should be kept in mind when it
comes to alcohol consumption. Most health care professionals will attest to the fact that
a couple of drinks here or there should not be damaging to an otherwise normal, healthy
individual. Studies have even shown that having one or two drinks a day may protect a
person from heart disease. But, there are also many reasons to refrain from heavy or
habitual drinking.
Drinking alcohol appears to be connected to the development of high blood pressure in some
people, as well as to the aggravation of an existing condition. Alcohol consumption can
also interfere with sugar levels in the blood which can be especially dangerous for
diabetics. It can interact with medications, both prescription and over-the-counter. In
fact, drinking while on a medication can influence the potency or overall effectiveness of
the drug. In pregnant women, drinking has been linked to birth defects, miscarriages,
still births and low birth weight. When a pregnant woman drinks, the concentration of
alcohol in the unborn baby's blood quickly becomes equal to the level within the mother's
bloodstream. Alcohol is also passed on to a baby during breast feeding. The level of
alcohol in a nursing mother's breast milk, however, remains lower than that in her
bloodstream.
Alcohol has a strong affect on the body because it enters the bloodstream quickly, much
faster than many other routinely ingested substances. Unlike most food elements that pass
through the digestive tract, a large percentage of alcohol goes directly to the
bloodstream from the stomach and through the walls of the small intestine. And, only a
small percentage of alcohol leaves the body through urine or perspiration. The alcohol
that is left to accumulate in the bloodstream affects the brain and other vital organs,
such as the liver. Liver damage from alcohol consumption can be debilitating and even
fatal.
In the brain, alcohol acts as a narcotic anesthetizing portions of the brain, including
those controlling behavior, speech, vision and coordination. Most people who become
"drunk" will exhibit slurred speech and become disoriented. If a person drinks
enough alcohol, the conscious brain will eventually shut down causing the individual to
pass out. And, if enough alcohol is consumed, the unconscious areas of the brain will also
shut down which means the heart will stop beating and the lungs will stop breathing...
resulting in death.
Drinking is part of our culture, however, it is also a choice. It's up to you to weigh the
pros and cons before deciding whether or not to drink... or how much to drink. But,
remember, there is not enough data available to confirm that drinking is a healthy or
desirable habit for the masses, but, on the other hand, plenty of evidence exists
concerning the plights brought on by excessive drinking.
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