by Grettel V.

Created on: March 17, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Why do we drink alcohol? The reason for this question is simple, although it is well established that drinking alcohol is not exactly good for us, we keep using it in different places and occasions. The production and consumption of alcohol is as old as the human being; beer made during the Stone Age has been discovered and alcoholic drinks have been elements of all the ancient cultures. Even the warnings and laws against the dangers of its abuse exist since the heavy drinkers started to cause troubles.

What effects the alcohol causes in our bodies? There are plenty of them but I'll start with the most important. The alcohol is a sedative and a central nervous system depressant; it means that it affects directly the brain until the liver transforms it into other substances. The liver is only able to metabolize about half an ounce per hour, the rest of alcohol ingested keeps circulating throughout the body and affecting the brain. The effects of alcohol are related with its levels in blood; at small levels the attention is impaired, the judgment is diminished, the person can say improper things and writing is affected. As the concentration increases the person becomes sleepy, has trouble remembering things, the reaction time to emergency situations is bigger, coordination is poor and vision is impaired. If the person does not stop, unconsciousness can occur and even death. All these effects are not compatible with activities that require good attention, quick reflexes and adequate judgment like driving. Alcohol and drugs are the number one cause of car accidents and subsequent death of teenagers and young adults.

But, again, why do we drink? Initially alcohol produces a state of transient euphoria and power that seems to be what drinkers are looking for when they are at parties or when they drink to "forget" problems; instead of that, they usually find more problems drinking. Besides accidents, chronic use of alcohol can cause dehydration, hormonal dysfunctions, malnutrition and, of course, addiction. Alcohol has no nutrients; however it releases 7 calories per gram, even more than carbohydrates and can produce an undesirable increment in weight.

So, is it recommendable to stop drinking at all? For those that find difficult not to surpass their limits I'd say yes, but for those who drink once in a while and in moderation I'd say that alcohol has its benefits. Moderate use of alcohol has been related with lower mortality rates. This is because alcohol increases the HDL ("good cholesterol") that removes fats from the blood vessels and also alcohol diminishes the formation of blood clots.

To drink in moderation means to have two drinks per day for men and one for women. And what exactly is a drink? A standard drink is usually a 12 ounces beer, a 5 ounces cup of wine or a line of hard liquor. The benefits of alcohol are seen in men over 45 and women over 55 years old, for younger persons the inconveniences outweigh the advantages.

So, when the party begins, give it a thought: is it really worthy to drink alcohol?

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