Why does alcohol harm health? How does alcohol affect the body?

In Poland, an average of 9.7 l 100% of alcohol is consumed per capita. In 2018, the average Pole drank 100.5 liters of beer, which is about 200 half-liter cans. The beverage is usually associated with important celebrations, fun and social gatherings. What is really hidden under the form of party liquid and what effects does it have on the human body? We bring you closer in the article.  

Ethyl alcohol - the most widespread psychoactive substance

Ethyl alcohol is one of the most widely used and abused psychoactive substances in Europe. It accompanies us at important events, celebrations or while out on the town with friends. The drink has lived to see many variants and unveilings, so it would seem that there is something for everyone. Both connoisseurs of wheat flavor and lovers of sweet, fruity notes. Alcohol has quietly made its way into our daily lives and has become a permanent fixture. The younger generation is increasingly noticing the havoc the beverage is wreaking on us and putting a limit on alcohol consumption. Which sets a good example and hope for the next young adults. 

What is ethanol?

Ethanol is an organic chemical compound that belongs to the group of alcohols. Its other name is ethyl alcohol. It is a colorless and volatile liquid with a characteristic odor. Ethanol is commonly used as an ingredient in many products and processes.

The most well-known use of ethanol is as a food alcohol, which is found in alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine and vodka. In addition, ethanol is used as a fuel in automobile engines (E10 fuel) to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere. It can also be used as a solvent in industry, to make perfumes, varnishes and medicines.

Despite its widespread use, ethanol is still a psychoactive substance, which means that its abuse can have negative effects on physical and mental health. How does it affect the body's various mechanisms?

Alcohol and the immune system - effects on health

The immune system can be imagined as an invisible army in our body, ready to fight against any intruders that uninvitedly enter the body. When foreign substances or microbes, i.e. our "enemies," get inside and launch an attack, it is necessary to effectively defend against them. To do this, lymphocytes and antibodies are sent to identify and neutralize the "intruders." 

If our immune system functions well, we give it the right amount of sleep, a balanced diet and physical activity - it shouldn't have much trouble defeating viruses. However, what about when we regularly take a poison such as alcohol? Will the body be able to defend itself as effectively?

Alcohol in this case is extremely insidious. Accompanying us at social gatherings, we treat it like a friend, forgetting that when we pour it into ourselves, it begins to weaken our defenses. As a result, it creates chaos, disorganizing our immune system.

At first it begins to launch confused attacks on our lymphocytes. These incredibly important cells, which are normally responsible for identifying and eliminating enemies, become useless. They lose their ability to recognize threats, thus mistaking real hostile microbes for friendly ones, which in effect weakens our ability to defend ourselves.

Alcohol also affects communication between our defense cells. It causes confusion in the communication channels, preventing rapid responses to threats. All processes that normally work together in harmony act as a scattered and disorganized group.

Worse, alcohol distracts our defense functions from their actual task. Instead of defending us against threats, they must now devote their energies to eliminating alcohol's toxins.

Our immune system, which would normally confront new intruders and neutralize them quickly, is weakened and defenseless under the influence of alcohol. Therefore, in order to keep the immune system strong, we should reach for high alcoholic beverages as seldom as possible, and preferably not at all. Only then will the immune system be able to effectively protect our health.

How does alcohol consumption damage the liver?

What everyone should know about the organ that is the liver is that it is an indispensable helper when it comes to detoxifying the body. It breaks down toxic compounds, so that harmless toxin-free substances are ultimately delivered to our blood. 

The organ normally has harmony and order, the cells work in harmony, taking care of the breakdown of toxic substances. But when we supply alcohol to the body, chaos begins to reign there. The organ is forced to struggle against the onslaught of alcohol, which destroys its ability to function properly.

Every drop of alcohol that reaches our liver can be compared to an exploding bomb that causes serious damage. Despite sincere efforts, it is difficult to neutralize all the toxic substances. Maintaining a high concentration of alcohol in the blood causes a relentless assault on our liver. 

As a result of excessive drinking, the liver becomes weakened and susceptible to various diseases, such as cirrhosis, inflammation and steatosis.

In order to keep the liver in good shape, the main thing to do is to shun alcohol and make sure it is properly supported. Consumption of beer, wine or vodka reduces the level of glutathione in the liver, a substance that has strong antioxidant and detoxifying properties. In turn, its deficiency results in increased susceptibility to oxidative stress. 

Receiving glutathione 600 is a solution that can minimize the adverse effects of alcohol and provide substances that have been lost through excessive alcohol consumption. People who have used glutathione tad 600 injections recommend just this form of administration, due to the best assimilation of the substance. For those interested in taking, it is also recommended with the use of tad 600 glutathione in the form of an intravenous infusion, which is by far the least painful form of administration and produces quick results.

Does the effect of alcohol have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system?

We can compare the circulatory system to a river that supplies blood to every nook and cranny of our body. Excessive alcohol intake is the cause that disrupts its calm current. 

Our heart, which normally beats rhythmically and calmly, behaves unnaturally when drinking alcohol, i.e. the heartbeat speeds up, the rhythm is disturbed. The blood, which should flow freely in our vessels, now struggles with obstacles. Alcohol makes our blood vessels narrow, restricting blood flow. It's like blocking a key channel that prevents water from flowing easily.

As a result, our body doesn't get enough oxygen and nutrients that it needs to function properly. One of the main tributaries of the river closes down, which dries out everything around it.

Long-term alcohol abuse has a drastic effect on the body. As a result of the chaos, the heart muscle becomes weakened, blood vessels are damaged and blood rhythms are disrupted, ultimately leading to hypertension, cardiovascular disease and heart failure.

When hormones go crazy

We rarely think about our hormones. However, each of them has an incredibly important task. Each hormone has its own role and takes care of the harmony of our body. Alcoholics who are addicted to poison cause their basic functions to be disregulated.

Our endocrine system should be viewed as a communication system that transmits important information. Consuming significant amounts of alcohol is like a noisy mob that drowns out these subtle messages. Hormones can no longer properly transmit their signals, causing confusion and disorganization throughout the system.

Alcohol interferes with the proper functioning of the body. And the hormones responsible for regulating appetite, sleep, mood and fertility can be disrupted. As a result of alcoholism, our bodies can experience hormonal disorders. Among the most common are:

• Reduced levels of thyroid hormone - T3,
• A decrease in testosterone production,
• An increase in estrogen levels.

Do you drink alcohol? You increase the risk of acute kidney failure pancreatitis and nervous system disorders

Do you know what the kidneys are used for? We don't bother with them on a daily basis, but every day they do an important job that allows us to live a peaceful and happy life. The kidneys are a filter that cleans the blood of toxins, when they stop functioning efficiently, there is a buildup of toxins and excess fluids in the body. They then accumulate in the blood and other parts of the body. People who consume alcohol in large doses are 10 times more likely to develop acute kidney failure. 

Frequent drinking can produce symptoms in the form of pancreatitis. Severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, diarrhea - these are just a few of the symptoms of the disease. The toxic effects of alcohol are a threat to one of the most important organs. Doctors warn - "More than 30% cases of acute pancreatitis are caused by alcohol." By quitting the poison, we are able to reduce the risk of the disease and enjoy good health.