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In the brain, alcohol triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that’s associated with pleasure and satisfaction. Which explains why people get so happy after a glass or two.
Alcoholic beverages actually contain ethanol, or ethyl alcohol. It's the only type of alcohol that you can drink that doesn't cause serious damage to your body.
The effects of alcohol occur when ethanol enters your bloodstream and passes through the cells in your brain, heart, and other organs.
For women, four or more drinks in two hours is considered binge drinking. For men, it’s five or more drinks in two hours. Some negative effects include anxiety issues and an increased risk of breast cancer.
Alcohol has different health consequences for men and women. Men are more likely to drink alcohol than women, but long-term drinking is more likely to have worse health implications for women than men.
In the end, alcohol is a drug, so depending on your usual intake, your body will experience some kind of withdrawal symptoms. They include twitching, anxiety, cold sweats, and trouble sleeping. So if you're cutting down on alcohol, cut back slowly to help reduce the withdrawal impact.
While alcohol might make you pass out, it actually decreases your sleep quality by up to 40%. So, swap that evening cocktail for a cup of herbal tea.
Next time you've got a sore throat, forget taking a lozenge! Instead, gargle some whiskey, and it will help ease that sting.
It might be time to think about other ways to relax instead of cracking open a beer after work. Drinking one or two cans every night can contribute to memory loss and brain shrinkage. This is also why it's a depressant, as it slows down activity in the brain.
Research has found that those with a blood alcohol content of 0.075 percent were better and faster at solving problems, such as furniture assembly instructions or crosswords. So next time, grab yourself a beer!
Studies have found that drinking a moderate amount of white or red wine can lower the risk of developing a cold.
The truth is, being able to drink without feeling the effects could be a sign that you’re developing alcohol tolerance. Over time, this can put you at risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Archaeologists have found evidence suggesting that workers who built the Great Pyramids of Giza were paid in beer. Not bad on a hot day!
Most of us are familiar with hangovers after binge drinking the day or night before. Hangovers are caused by chemical byproducts created when the body processes alcohol.
Red wine contains resveratrol, a substance that helps control cholesterol, prevent blood vessel damage, and stop blood clots.
A study that explored family drinking in Italy found that Italians who grew up drinking at family meals were less likely to develop unhealthy drinking habits later in life.
Whenever you wake up, you should probably avoid driving if you had a couple of glasses of wine right before bed. It will still be in your bloodstream.
Dark liquors, such as red wine or whiskey, are more likely to result in severe hangovers. So if you want to diminish the chances of a hangover, go for white or clear liquors.
The effects of alcohol on the liver are well known, and this is because it's processed there. It's where the enzymes help break down ethanol into acetaldehyde and acetate.
Women who are dependent on alcohol are more likely to die from alcohol-related causes than men who are dependent on alcohol.
It only takes the human body one hour to process one standard-sized drink. So imagine what binge-drinking two or three drinks during the same time frame does to your body.
Not only will a night of drinking make you pee more, it will likely also lead to diarrhea. This is because alcohol interferes with the large intestine's ability to absorb water, which results in stool becoming runny.
Muscles absorb alcohol faster than fat. This means that people who have more muscles and less body fat have a higher alcohol tolerance.
Drinking several times per week can increase your risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a condition that can lead to both a heart attack and stroke.
Due to caffeine, coffee is a stimulant that can make you feel alert and awake. However, this doesn't help your body process alcohol faster.
Sources: (Healthline) (Greatist)
When your brain no longer receives a reward in the form of a cool drink, it tends to seek gratification in the form of sweets. So don't be surprised if you crave some chocolate.
Residues of an alcoholic beverage that dates back to 7,000 to 6,600 BCE were found in China. That's an ancient drink!
Research has found that teens who start drinking before the age of 15 are more likely to develop alcohol dependence later on in life.
Hormonal changes lead to unpleasant hangover symptoms. For example, it can cause you to urinate more, which can then lead to dehydration.
If you enjoy a cold beer at a BBQ or an after-work cocktail, don't worry, the majority of adults drink alcohol at some point in their lives. And just like the reasons for drinking are highly varied, so too are the effects it has on our health. With both positive and obvious negative effects, there's a lot about this popular substance that you might not know.
Consumed around the world in cocktails, beers, and wines, check out this gallery for some eye-opening facts about alcohol.
Facts about alcohol that will shock you
It's a myth that coffee sobers you up faster!
FOOD Drinking
If you enjoy a cold beer at a BBQ or an after-work cocktail, don't worry, the majority of adults drink alcohol at some point in their lives. And just like the reasons for drinking are highly varied, so too are the effects it has on our health. With both positive and obvious negative effects, there's a lot about this popular substance that you might not know.
Consumed around the world in cocktails, beers, and wines, check out this gallery for some eye-opening facts about alcohol.