Alcohols have been labeled a bad drink because of the health risk associated with drinking them. It will be interesting to know that moderate consumption of alcohol may have substantial health benefits. It is safe to say that alcohol is both drug and a poison; the difference depends mostly on the dose.
The two faced nature of alcohol comes as a result of the active ingredient in alcoholic beverage which is ethanol. Ethanol affects the body in different ways based on the quantity. It influences the stomach, liver, gall bladder, brain and heart. It also affects the level of lipid and insulin in the body and affects inflammation and coagulation. It also alters mood, coordination and concentration.
Moderate consumption of alcohol is one drink daily for women and two drinks daily for men. Below are certain ways in which moderate alcohol consumption might be beneficial for your health:
- It Can Lower Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Moderate consumption of alcohol increases the level of good cholesterol in the body. High levels of good cholesterol have been associated with greater protection against heart diseases. Moderate alcohol consumption also gives your body better sensitivity to insulin and improves factors that influence blood clotting. These benefits tend to prevent the formation of small blood clots that can block arteries in the heart, brain and neck, and inadvertently reduce the risk of heart attack and strokes.
- It Can Improve Sexual Function in Men
Moderate alcohol consumption might actually protect your body against erectile dysfunction. A study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found out that alcohol drinkers had 25-30% reduced chances of erectile dysfunction. Although further research needs to be done to accurately connect impotence to alcohol consumption, it is still fact that moderate amounts of alcohol can increase libido in men.
- It Can Increase Your Life Span
Studies have shown that drinking moderate amounts of alcohols can add a few years to your life. Drinking moderate amounts of alcohol daily could reduce risk of death by 18%. It is advised to drink alcohol during meals, preferably lunch and dinner. Aside this times, the rest of the day should be absolutely alcohol-free.
- It Helps Prevent Risk of Common Cold
Moderate alcohol intake causes decrease in common cold cases among non smokers. Certain researchers found that drinking 14 glasses of wine per week could reduce the risk of developing a cold by 60%. This benefit could be attributed to the antioxidant properties of wine.
- It Decreases Chances of Developing Dementia
A study reported in the Journal of Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment showed that moderate alcohol drinkers were 23% less likely to develop forms of dementia like cognitive impairment or Alzheimers diseases. Small amounts of alcohols have been shown to improve the fitness of brain cells which toughens them up so they can cope with major mental stresses that could lead to dementia.
- It Can Reduce the Risk of Kidney Disease
Moderate drinking of alcohol can reduce the risk of kidney disease by one-third. This benefit is only applicable to moderate amounts of alcohol because higher amounts can cause a higher risk of kidney disease and health problems.
- It Can Lower the Chance of Diabetes
A study showed that healthy adults who drink one or two glasses of alcohol per day have a reduced chance of developing type2 diabetes when compared to those adults who do not drink at all.
- It Can Help Burn Fat
A study from Oregon state university showed that some types of red wine can help manage obesity and metabolize fatty liver. This benefit is due to a chemical called ellagic acid which slows down the growth of fat cells and stops the creation of new fat cells. This helps boost the metabolism of fatty acids in liver cells.
- It Can Help Enhance Your Workout
A research made by Journal of Physiology found that resveratrol, a compound found in red wine can enhance exercise performance, improve muscle strength and heart function. All these benefits improve your endurance during training and workout.
- It Can Help Reduce Menopause Symptoms
A study in the Journal of Endocrinology suggests that chemicals in beer may act as phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens can help diminish hot flashes and reduce other symptoms associated with menopause.
Watch yourself and be mindful of your motivations for drinking. Make sure you are not drinking to avoid feelings or out of boredom because if you are, engaging in high alcohol consumption is unavoidable. Remember that high levels of alcohol can lead to multiple health disorders.
