Almost no vacation is complete without alcohol. But everything should be simple; a small dose of alcoholic beverages will be beneficial and lift your spirits. Some types of alcohol are safer than others. The main thing is that they do not contain methyl alcohol, because it leads to bad consequences.
Classification of the dangers of alcohol
Any food product that contains at least 1. 5% ethyl alcohol is alcohol. Ethanol beverages are classified according to the level of C₂H₅OH, the type of raw material used, the type of production and aging criteria.
In the presence of alcohol:
- low content - beer, wine;
- tall - vodka, sugarcane rum, gin, grain whiskey, grape brandy and more.
All drinks are produced from different types of raw materials.
The first can be divided into the following
- grape-based - cognac, wine, Italian grappa;
- grain - whiskey, batch of beer, vodka;
- fruit and berries - Calvados apples, liqueurs, liqueurs;
- herbs - balsam, rum, Mexican tequila, absinthe.
Each alcoholic beverage product has its own ethanol content.
The presence of the latter can be divided as follows:
- high - from 67 to 96% of the container volume;
- normal - from 31 to 66;
- average - from 9 to 30;
- low - from 1. 5 to 9.
The last line includes everyone's favorite beer, low-alcohol national products, kvass, palm toddy, shandy.
Beverages with average ethanol content are represented by wine, mulled wine, punch, and mead.
The top step is occupied by vodka, armagnac, tequila, rum, absinthe, and other intoxicating liquids. Drinking ethyl alcohol is in the main position. Alcohol volume reaches 95%.
It is believed that the main harm to health is caused by the level of drinking, however, consuming products containing weak alcohol can cause damage no less than strong ones.
Less dangerous properties of alcohol
Judgments about intoxicating liquids vary. Some nutritionists claim that drinking is beneficial, while others say it is harmful to health.
The criteria for the least harmful alcohol are as follows:
- The level of quality.
- Amount of ethanol.
- Addition of seasoning.
- Performance.
According to medical experts, vodka is considered less harmful to health. Of course, this condition is met with minimal use.
This conclusion is due to the following factors:
- low amount of calories contained;
- the absence of harmful carbonyl groups;
- simplicity of alcohol liquid - water with alcohol.
The high quality products used almost never cause hangovers. But this does not mean that you can drink vodka without measure. To avoid poisoning, snacks should be fatty foods.
However, experts characterize pure grape wine as the least safe alcohol for the liver. The fruits of the bush have no harmful residues. If you do not separate the skin from the berries, you will get a variety of red wine, recognized as the healthiest.
This is due to the fact that the vitamins contained in the shell enter the liquid alcohol medium, saturating the body with microelements and organic nitrogen compounds.
Antioxidants improve the function of the circulatory system and rejuvenate cells. Wine is successfully used to extract extracts from it, which are used to make injections and various cosmetics.
Negative effects on the human body
The negative effects of alcoholic beverages are shown in the following:
Organs exposed to alcohol and diseases that may occur under the influence of alcoholic beverages
- Drunkenness interferes with the flow of oxygen to the brain, causing brain cells to die. Encephalopathy develops, the changes are irreversible.
- The cardiovascular system is affected. Pathology develops: ischemia and hypertension, cardiomyopathy. In some people, alcohol addiction causes the heart to become enlarged.
- Respiratory rate increases, dry cough and chronic bronchitis develop.
- The function of the digestive system is disturbed, because the mucous membrane takes the effect of the poison. The patient was diagnosed with gastritis and peptic ulcer. Alcohol destroys the liver, causing cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatosis.
- Disturbances in excretory function occur. Alcohol is harmful to the kidneys, because under the influence of alcohol their epithelium is destroyed.
- Endocrine glands are affected. Almost half of people who suffer from alcohol have decreased sexual function. Against this background, neurosis, depression and other disorders of the central nervous system arise. In women, the menstrual cycle is disrupted, menopause occurs prematurely, and gestosis and miscarriage are possible during pregnancy.
- Skin and muscle tissue are depleted, and various dermatological diseases appear.
- The hematopoietic process is disrupted, lymphocyte production decreases, and allergic reactions appear.
- Mental abnormalities occur: seizures, hallucinations, partial loss of sensation in the limbs.
The worst form of intoxication is delirium tremens.Even timely treatment may not bring results. The patient stops orienting himself in time and space, his pulse quickens, his blood pressure rises, and in some cases his temperature rises.
Regular consumption of alcohol reduces life expectancy, leads to premature aging and disability.
Does the harm depend on the level of alcohol?
Alcohol content determines the time of alcohol removal from the body. The lower this indicator, the less harm the drink will bring to a person.
For this reason, products with a high amount of ethanol are considered the most dangerous.
How to choose the most harmless alcohol
The choice of the most harmless alcoholic beverages should be based on criteria that determine the level of harmful effects on the human body. These criteria include:
- quality (manufacturer, compliance with established safety requirements, conditions of bottling, transportation and storage);
- strength (amount of ethyl alcohol in the composition);
- availability of flavor additives and their range;
- rate of absorption of alcohol into the blood.
Properly selected alcoholic beverages will cause minimal harm to the body and prevent the development of severe pathology and hangover syndrome.
How dangerous are low-quality raw materials?
The main toxic effect on the human body is acetaldehyde (the breakdown product of ethyl alcohol). This substance is found in all alcoholic beverages and is harmful to health.Expensive products made from high-quality raw materials are considered the least dangerous.The low cost is due to the insufficient cleaning of the composition of the fuse oil.
Even home-made wine and spirits, made from purified water and quality products, are more dangerous than store-bought. It is impossible to properly clean raw materials without the necessary equipment and technology. When choosing alcohol, you should give preference to drinks that do not contain synthetic substances.
What is the difference between expensive and cheap alcohol?
There is an opinion that the harm of alcohol is the same, regardless of the quality and cost of the drink. But there is a difference between cheap low-quality alcohol and expensive "elite" products.
Low prices indicate that cheap and low-quality raw materials are used in production. This affects the composition of alcoholic beverages and also worsens the consequences of their use.
Manufacturers who adhere to safety standards and care about the quality of the finished product use more expensive raw materials and complex cleaning processes. This of course affects the price towards its increase.
Spirit world
To find out which alcoholic beverages are the least dangerous, you should learn about the types of alcohol. The most common grading is the classification of alcohol by strength:
| Classification | Scroll |
strong alcohol |
brandy, whiskey, ethyl (medical) alcohol, sambuca, rum, vodka, absinthe, tequila, gin, cognac |
| medium strength drink | vermouth, all kinds of wine, liquor, cider, martini, punch, grog |
| low alcohol (and carbonated) | ale, beer products, sparkling wine and champagne |
Many people used to talk about the dangers of alcohol based on its level. And they believe that the weaker the alcohol, the safer.Based on this reason, we can say that the most harmless alcohol is beer or champagne. This is a big mistake.
The harm of alcohol does not depend on its level. Even a weak alcoholic drink can trigger the development of alcoholism in a person.
A few years ago, Canadian scientists conducted a series of experiments that showed that most people do not experience strong alcohol. In most cases, addiction to alcohol is caused by light alcohol, which is drunk in large quantities and continuously. This causes rapid addiction and subsequent health problems.
Alcohol damages all internal systems and organs
So what is it, the safest alcohol, where to find alcohol that you can drink calmly, regardless of future health problems? We can say right away: no alcohol is completely safe; any drink containing ethyl alcohol is a priori classified as dangerous and harmful. But there is a list compiled by scientists that lists alcoholic beverages in order of the harm they cause. Check out this rating.
First place: alcoholic energy drinks
In the spring of 2017, the world began to recognize the data of a long-term study organized and conducted by Canadian scientists. According to their research, the greatest danger to humans is the mixture of ethanol with various energy drinks or energy cocktails in ready-made alcohol cans.. In addition to the well-known dangers of alcohol, this drink brings the following to its fans:
- Attacks of aggressive behavior.
- Suicide attempts, mostly successful.
- Increased injury rates. Fans of alcoholic energy cocktails are more likely to be involved in traffic accidents than fans of "purer" alcohol.
Alcoholic energy drinks are considered the most dangerous drinks for health.
Scientists have found an explanation for this. Caffeine, which is necessarily included in the composition of such alcohol, has a relaxing effect on the body and suppresses the sedative effect of ethanol. As a result, the drunk person not only does not understand the fact of drunkenness itself, but also does not give an account of his own actions, considering them to be completely sufficient.
Continuous consumption of alcoholic energy drinks is accompanied by dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness and memory problems. Sometimes a person who has committed a crime because of intoxication with this product, after sobering up, cannot remember what he did and where he was. Alcoholic energy drinks deserve the honorable first place in the ranking of the most dangerous alcohol products.
2nd place: alcoholic cocktail
There is a large group of fans of various delicious cocktails prepared using alcohol. They drink it regularly at parties, cafes and clubs. It is very difficult to convince them about the dangers of such a hobby. Can such a light and aromatic cocktail be dangerous? But in fact, they occupy the second place in the ranking of the most dangerous alcohol.
The harm of alcoholic cocktails lies in their composition
The point is in their composition. In fact, in addition to alcohol, ingredients include carbonated drinks, sugary water, liqueurs, syrups, and juices. These components, when mixed with each other, produce a dangerous mixture that:
- immediately absorbed into the blood;
- cause a severe hangover;
- increase the concentration of sugar in the body;
- lead to severe hangovers;
- significantly increase the load on almost all internal organs.
All body systems begin to work in emergency mode: the liver neutralizes ethanol, while actively absorbing glucose. The kidneys try to quickly remove toxic toxins from the body, and the work of the pancreas is activated. And the heart increases its rhythm, trying to ensure normal blood flow to actively functioning organs.
Even a small glass of alcoholic cocktail carries three times the load on the body. The more drinks a person drinks, the stronger the hangover syndrome will manifest itself.
3rd place: champagne and sparkling wine
Produced with careful adherence to technological processes, high-quality champagne will not cause much harm to the body if you drink it in the amount of a glass. But the passion for this drink will turn him into a terrible monster. The explanation is as follows:
- Fine Champagne contains a large amount of sugar. It has a very negative effect on the function and condition of the liver and pancreas.
- Once in the gastrointestinal tract, this drink leads to the development of a rapid decay process, which involves the remains of undigested food. Champagne owes such a process to the carbon dioxide it contains.
Good champagne will do no harm if you drink no more than one glass.
A large amount of this pleasant and mild alcohol can cause severe poisoning in a person. Sparkling wine works the same way. A mixture of ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide can knock down even a strong and large man in no time.
4th place: beer
A very popular drink, enjoyed by men and women in equal quantities.But in the meantime, this fragrant foam is very dangerous because of its rapid addiction and the development of beer alcoholism. Dangerous foaming and with a large dose of phytoestrogens, which are rich in hop cones.
Phytoestrogens contained in beer are plant analogs of female sex hormones. This compound is extremely dangerous for both sexes. They contribute to serious disruption of the hormonal system.
Unfortunately, narcologists now diagnose beer alcoholism more often than alcohol-induced addiction. Unfortunately, unaware of the dangers of beer, people become addicted to it from adolescence, damaging their own health. It is more difficult to get rid of beer alcoholism than other types of addiction.
Frequent consumption of beer leads to the rapid development of beer alcoholism
Long-term and continuous addiction to intoxicating drinks leads to the following disorders:
- "Live" beer, considered the "cleanest", has a high calorie content and quickly causes obesity;
- inhibits the production of natural sex hormones, which have a negative effect on the functioning of the reproductive system;
- causes global changes in the thickness and structure of the myocardium (heart muscle), this causes the development of various heart pathologies.
Also, the adverse effects do not depend on the brand or brand of beer. This drink is dangerous in any case, regardless of the variety and manufacturing process. No beer is safe in nature.
5th place: cognac
According to scientists, the most harmless are the purest alcoholic drinks, that is, without unnecessary additives. It is easier for the body to cope with such alcohol, which does not have other components, because less effort is spent on neutralizing aggressive components. Cognac is the most harmless alcohol. In addition, it can also bring several benefits:
- Stabilizes high blood pressure;
- Stops the pathogenic activity of the virus.
Cognac has the ability to stabilize blood pressure, but only with moderate and infrequent use
But good cognac can be distinguished by such talent, provided that it is consumed minimally and rarely. It is believed that a safe dose of this strong alcohol does not exceed 50 g.
6th place: liquor
This alcohol is much safer than some low-alcohol alcohols. The liqueur does not contain carbon dioxide, and it is traditionally consumed in small doses.Their only notable drawback is their high sugar content.. It is for this reason that aromatic and delicious liquor should not be consumed by people with diabetes and prone to rapid weight gain.
The disadvantages of liquor include a large amount of sugar in the composition.
7th place: wine
With moderate and efficient use of red wine and rose, it can also be considered a medicine. But such statements are valid only in relation to natural wine alcohol made by grape fermentation. True, in some people who are prone to allergic manifestations, red wine can trigger an allergic attack.
Women are recommended to drink good red wine (in very limited quantities), because this alcohol is rich in antioxidants that prevent aging of the body.
Wine can only be beneficial if taken wisely
In this way, when considering the question of alcohol that is less harmful to the liver, doctors choose good and natural wine. Grape juice is fully fermented. When the seeds and skin remains inside, the result is red wine, which is the basis for wine production.
This wine has the power not to damage the liver. They are also the most beneficial for the body, because all the most valuable substances from the skin and seeds of the fruit are transferred into the composition of the wine.
8th place: vodka
According to the unanimous opinion of doctors, vodka, our legendary drink, which is already considered a national treasure, is the safest.But also dangerous, because we can only talk about benefits if the quality of alcohol is high and its consumption is minimal..
Vodka is considered the safest of all types of alcohol, but its regular use leads to the development of alcoholism
Doctors, talking about the safety of vodka, explain their words with the following qualities of this strong alcohol:
- minimum amount of calories;
- complete absence of carbohydrates;
- purity of ingredients, vodka consists of a mixture of water and alcohol.
By the way, high-quality vodka almost never leads to severe hangovers. But this does not mean that you can drink it without a snack. Good and fatty food is a mandatory addition to this alcohol.
As a result of drinking alcoholic beverages
The consequences of drinking alcoholic beverages are divided into short-term, which appear in a few hours after drinking, and long-term, which make themselves felt after a long period of systematic libations.
The main short-term consequences are the state of intoxication, which is accompanied by changes in metabolic processes, disturbances in the functioning of the brain, vestibular apparatus and stress on all body systems.
Symptoms of alcohol intoxication vary depending on the concentration of ethanol in the blood, including:
- Confusion of speech and consciousness;
- decreased hearing and vision, hallucinations;
- adhesion of red blood cells and, as a result, anemia;
- drowsiness;
- vomiting, diarrhea, nausea;
- headache, tinnitus;
- difficulties in natural physiological processes (breathing, urination, etc. );
- memory loss;
- attacks of aggression, euphoria, sudden changes in mood.
When drunk, people are more likely to have domestic injuries, have road accidents and engage in sexual violence or other forms of physical aggression.
In the long term, people who drink alcoholic beverages systematically experience a stable addiction. This has a negative impact on human health and social conditions and his life.
Alcoholics face a variety of physiological problems, but most often with:
- pathology of internal organs, chronic intoxication of the body;
- spinal cord injury, atrophic heart disease, stroke;
- throat, stomach, liver and colon cancer;
- hormonal disorders;
- erectile dysfunction, infertility, early menopause, etc. ;
- lack of B vitamins, calcium and zinc.
This problem is a consequence of the behavioral characteristics of people who are dependent on alcohol who tend to lead an antisocial lifestyle.
Social problems such as:
- crisis in relationships with family, friends, colleagues;
- difficulty finding work and employment;
- tendency to violence, aggressive behavior;
- the formation of mental pathologies, among which there is severe psychosis, personality disorders and manic states.
Impact speed
According to the speed of impact, all alcoholic beverages can be divided into two types:
| "Fast" | This includes strong alcohol (400 and above), such as vodka, tequila, absinthe, etc. |
| "slow" | Low-alcohol cocktails, champagne, beer and wine have a slow action. |
Despite the fact that intoxication from vodka occurs faster than from beer, the danger to health can be the same. Often a person who enjoys low-alcohol drinks is not aware of the amount he is drinking.
He cannot stop in time, while the amount of ethanol in the body is already above the safe limit. The consequences of such irrational behavior are severe intoxication and severe intoxication.
Drinking any alcohol should be accompanied by a tasty snack - this significantly reduces the rate of absorption of alcohol into the blood, and also protects the gastrointestinal tract from the harmful effects of alcohol.
Conclusion
Ethyl alcohol in any alcoholic drink is poisonous. However, the liver is able to process a small amount of ethanol, thereby completely removing it from the body and protecting vital organs, functions and systems.
Scientists have calculated safe daily doses for various types of alcoholic beverages. This indicator is valid for adults who rarely drink and do not have chronic diseases.
Any amount of alcohol is strictly prohibited:
- persons under the age of 18;
- pregnant and lactating women, as well as couples planning pregnancy.
Among the various types of alcohol, vodka is considered the safest, and energy cocktails are the least safe.
Non-alcoholic beer brewed according to brewing technology also contains a small amount of ethanol (from 0. 5%), therefore it cannot be considered safe for health and requires restrictions in the amount of consumption.