Wine delights the heart. But not when we overdo it. It is advisable to know we need to limit the alcohol we consume.
Precisely because many of us are accustomed to accompany with a "glass" both our pleasant and unpleasant moments, our meals, our fun, our outings, gatherings with friends, etc. it is quite difficult to recognize whether we overdo it with the alcohol. The issue is that consuming alcohol in small quantities causes pleasure and possibly has a beneficial effect on our health, but when we over-consume it can harm us. So, as any problems that may arise from alcohol are dose-dependent, the official Health Organizations have established the maximum permissible limits of alcohol consumption by healthy adults.
Yes or no to alcohol?
Drinking alcohol in small quantities is a pleasant experience and many times even doctors recommend a glass to prevent cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, excessive consumption, either occasionally or on a permanent basis, can cause various problems. After all, we must not forget that alcohol is one of the substances that cause addiction and that affect the central nervous system causing depression.
The long-term problems from the systematic consumption of alcohol are liver damage, cancer of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, neurological disorders, brain damage, etc.
How much alcohol is allowed?
Precisely because the harm caused by alcohol is dose-dependent, the official Health Organizations have set the maximum permissible levels of alcohol consumption by healthy adults. These limits are considered safe so as not to cause permanent damage to our body and amount to 14 units of alcohol per week, while they are common for men and women, unlike what happened in the past where they were different depending on gender.
The above numbers express the maximum amount of alcohol that a healthy adult can consume per week. Ideally, experts explain, these doses should be distributed throughout the week and leave 2 to 3 days free without a drink.
Alcohol and the elderly
Alcohol is absorbed by your body through the stomach and small intestine and through it to the liver and then to the heart, brain, muscles and other tissues. Your body cannot store alcohol and therefore breaks it down. Your body's ability to process alcohol depends on age, weight, and gender. About 20% of the alcohol we consume penetrates the walls of the stomach and can reach the brain in a period of one minute. The remaining 80% penetrates the small intestine before entering the bloodstream.
The elderly should keep in mind that as they get older their bodies metabolize alcohol more slowly, among other things. Thus, it is advisable to reduce the amounts they drink and also, when taking medication, consult their doctor and read the contraindications carefully, as some medications are forbidden to be combined with a drink.