Know 8 dangers of drinking to the body

With the aim of making the population aware of the damage caused to the body by excessive intake of alcoholic beverages, the ‘National Day to Combat Alcohol’ is celebrated on February 18th. Considering that Brazil is among the 10 countries with the highest consumption of alcohol in the world, according to data from the Ministry of Health, the date highlights the importance of restricting the consumption of this drink for the health and well-being of the body.

“Alcohol is a toxic substance for the human body and can cause mental illness, cancer, liver problems such as cirrhosis, cardiovascular changes, with a risk of heart attack and stroke, and reduced immunity; in addition to favoring dehydration, inflammation and the accumulation of fluids”, explains nutritionist Dr. Marcella Garcez, director and professor at the Brazilian Association of Nutrology (ABRAN).

If you are still not convinced about the dangers of alcohol, check out 8 reasons why you should avoid drinking alcohol below. Look!

1. Decreased metabolism capacity

The liver is responsible for digesting alcoholic beverages. However, this same body is responsible for the metabolism of fat. “The liver works daily to break down fats in your diet and eliminate toxins. When you drink alcohol, you end up adding another task to the organ’s function. That way, your liver can’t process the fat as quickly and efficiently, as it will also be working to expel the alcohol. As a consequence, the metabolism slows down, even leading to the accumulation of fat”, explains Dr. Marcella.

Therefore, as the liver will already be overloaded in an attempt to metabolize alcohol, it is recommended that, after consuming alcoholic beverages, you avoid heavy foods, such as red meat. Give preference to boiled and grilled white meats, as well as lots of salad and fruit.

two. dehydrated skin

Water loss caused by alcohol affects skin health. “The skin is also one of the peripheral tissues from which the body draws water to metabolize alcohol. As a result, the skin tissue can suffer from dehydration, flaking and loss of vigor and shine”, says dermatologist Dr. Paola Pomerantzeff, member of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology.

In addition to dehydrating you, alcohol can also lead to a inflammatory process of the skin. In order to keep the skin healthy, it is interesting, in addition to drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol consumption, to bet on the use of moisturizing creams with antioxidants to help the skin tissue recover.

3. Inflammation and spots on the skin

The sugar present in alcoholic beverages has a very high glycemic index and, in excess, can cause a phenomenon called glycation. “Linked to highly inflammatory processes in the body, sugar (when ingested in excess) is a villain for collagen and elastin fibers, which become hardened, losing malleability, flexibility and sustaining capacity, when a process called glycation occurs”, says Dr. Valéria Campos, Graduate in Laser and Dermatology at Harvard Medical School.

In addition to these, the doctor points out that blood sugar can also favor excessive skin pigmentation. “Sugar is also linked to the appearance of blemishes. This constant inflammation from excess sugar, common in the Western diet, leads to an accumulation of free radicals or AGEs (advanced glycation species). They are highly inflammatory and prematurely age the system, requiring topical and oral products for anti-glycation and de-glycation action”, explains the professional.

4. Difficulty getting pregnant

Even moderate alcohol consumption can have several harmful effects on the body, including impaired fertility. According to obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Fernando Prado, specialist in Human Reproduction, a study last year showed that women who want to get pregnant should avoid excessive alcohol consumption. “In the second half of the menstrual cycle, even moderate alcohol consumption is related to reduced chances of pregnancy, according to the study”, explains the expert.

According to the doctor, the possible biological mechanisms that may explain the association between drinking and reduced chances of getting pregnant may be related to the alteration in the processes involved in ovulation due to alcohol ingestion, so that no eggs are released during the ovulatory part of the cycle. In addition, the expert explains that alcohol can also affect the ability of a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus.

5. joint pain

Alcohol is also a risk factor for joint pain. “It can cause an increase in uric acid in the blood, a condition called hyperuricemia, which leads to inflammation of the joints and, if not treated, can cause damage to the joint cartilage, which progress to arthrosis”, explains Dr. Marcos Cortelazo, orthopedic specialist in knee and sports traumatology, member of the Brazilian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology (SBOT).

6. circulation problems

By favoring dehydration, alcohol, in addition to increasing the incidence of cramps and muscle aches, can also cause the body to retain more fluids. “As a result, we become more swollen and the pressure on the veins and arteries increases, which can contribute to the emergence of vascular problems such as varicose veins and thrombosis”, highlights vascular surgeon Dr. Aline Lamaita, member of the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery.

7. Slow healing

Alcohol consumption is also especially harmful for people who have just had invasive surgery. “This is because the inflammatory process caused by alcohol makes the healing process difficult and favors the appearance of unsightly scars. In addition, the substance thins the blood, increasing the risk of the patient suffering from bleeding and prolonging the recovery time”, explains plastic surgeon Dr. Beatriz Lassance, member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery.

8. oral diseases

Another structure affected by water loss caused by alcohol is the mouth (and teeth). “The dehydration process caused by alcohol causes a decrease in saliva production. As a result, we are more susceptible to disease development such as cavities, gingivitis and dental erosion, since one of the main functions of saliva is precisely to protect the teeth and oral mucous membranes”, says Dr. Hugo Lewgoy, dental surgeon and PhD in Dentistry from USP.

Therefore, in addition to drinking plenty of water, it is interesting that you carry a portable kit with you consisting of a toothbrush, toothpaste and interdental brushes to carry out oral hygiene during any appointments in which you go drinking.

Measures to prevent harm caused by alcohol

The best tip is to bet on moderation and not turn the sporadic act of drinking into a routine habit. “In general, it is recommended to limit daily consumption to a maximum of one glass of up to 150 ml and always opt for functional varieties, such as red and dry wine. Red wine, in fact, is among the healthiest alcoholic beverages, as it is fermented and rich in polyphenols, such as resveratrol, which are substances with great antioxidant power”, clarifies Dr. Marcella.

The doctor says that avoiding the consumption of distilled beverages is essential to maintain body’s health. “Distillates, in turn, are not sources of polyphenols and have a higher concentration of alcohol in their composition, which reduces their health benefits. In addition, drinks such as cachaça, vodka, whiskey and tequila tend to be absorbed more quickly and, in general, are more aggressive for the liver. That is, they should be avoided or limited to amounts smaller than a daily dose”, concludes the expert.

By Pedro Del Claro