Some men like to drink alcohol, and some need to drink alcohol for socializing, which inevitably raises concerns about their health. Health experts have put forward seven suggestions for alcohol consumption and health, which can effectively help drinkers reduce the risk of getting drunk and alcohol-related harm to the body.
1. Drink at a moderate pace, or slow down your drinking speed to a pace that does not exceed the liver's processing capacity. The liver breaks down alcohol at a rate of about 10 milliliters per hour. The amount of pure alcohol (ethanol) contained in a drink can be calculated based on the alcohol content indicated on the bottle label.
For example, for a 250 milliliter drink with an alcohol content of 16%, the alcohol content would be 40 milliliters (250 milliliters × 0.16 = 40 milliliters). If a person consumes this drink over a period of 4 hours, the average amount of alcohol intake per hour would be 10 milliliters, which is in line with the liver's processing speed. Drinking at this pace can minimize the burden on the liver from alcohol.
2. Drink plenty of water to replenish body fluids and restore water balance. Alcohol affects the balance of water inside and outside the body's cells. Normally, two-thirds of the body's water is inside the cells. However, when alcohol is consumed, the water inside the cells moves to the blood vessels. This means that although the overall water content in the body remains the same, the decrease in water inside the cells can cause thirst. This is why people feel thirsty after drinking alcohol.
Regardless of the reason, it is always a good idea to drink plenty of water. "Hangover cure" has long been a method for relieving discomfort after drinking. Mixing three pinches of salt into a full glass of water and drinking it in one gulp can stimulate the stomach and make it easier to vomit.
3. Drink sports drinks and fruit juice, which are also effective. When you wake up the morning after heavy drinking, you often feel thirsty and your throat feels dry. At this time, there is still alcohol and harmful substances such as acetaldehyde in your body, and you should find a way to eliminate them as soon as possible. Drinks that contain inorganic salts and sugars not only replenish fluids but also help eliminate alcohol from the body.
Sports drinks and fruit juice work well, especially sports drinks, whose composition is similar to human body fluids and can be easily absorbed by the body. They are not only effective for hangovers, but if consumed while drinking alcohol, they can also prevent getting too drunk. In addition, tea containing tea polyphenols and vitamin C, or honey lemon water made with lemon and honey, are also effective for hangovers. It should be noted that regardless of the type of drink, if it is too cold, the effective ingredients are not easily absorbed, so it is best to drink at room temperature or warm.
4. Drink honey, as it can help break down alcohol. Honey is rich in fructose, glucose, and vitamin C, and has long been used as an effective food to prevent drunkenness and relieve hangovers. In particular, the glucose in honey is easily absorbed by the body and can help break down alcohol.
5. Eat more shellfish to enhance the detoxification function of the liver. Take oysters as an example, the protein content in oysters can be compared to that of eggs, and because they contain a balanced profile of essential amino acids, they do not burden the liver and can promote liver function recovery. Shellfish usually contain rich vitamin B12, taurine, and glycogen. Vitamin B12 and glycogen play an important role in promoting liver function, and when taurine in amino acids combines with bile acid, it can activate the detoxification function of the liver.
6. Drink aloe vera juice to reduce blood acetaldehyde levels. The prickly green part of aloe vera and its gel contain substances such as polysaccharides and glycoproteins, which can reduce the concentration of acetaldehyde, a harmful substance produced after alcohol metabolism, in the blood. Therefore, drinking aloe vera juice before drinking alcohol is very effective in preventing symptoms such as headache, nausea, and facial flushing after drinking. In addition, the bitter component in aloe vera called aloin has a stomach-protecting effect and can treat nausea and vomiting caused by hangovers.
7. Eat protein-rich foods to reduce the burden on the liver. Protein and fat stay in the stomach the longest, making them the most suitable choice as side dishes when drinking alcohol. To avoid consuming too much high-protein food and gaining weight, it is best to choose fish, lean meat, chicken, soy products, eggs, cheese, etc. Dairy products such as milk and cheese that contain high-quality protein, eggs, tofu, scallops, and soups made from these foods are beneficial to liver function and do not burden the stomach. Some people like to eat heavy-tasting foods, such as greasy ramen, after drinking alcohol. These foods can burden the gastrointestinal system and prolong the discomfort of intoxication. Therefore, it is advisable to choose easily digestible foods such as fruits, milk or yogurt with honey, eggs, etc., which can improve liver function.
