Alcoholic beverages are some drinks a lot of us can’t do without despite knowing the health implications that come with it.
Once you consume alcohol, it quickly enters the blood stream which makes it have access to almost all the organs of your body. Just a small quantity of alcohol can take over two hours before being expelled from the body. The liver is the organ that is most affected when you drink heavily, since it is saddled with the responsibility of breaking down toxins. Even if you don’t take as much alcohol that can cause permanent damage to the liver, constantly indulging in alcohol can nonetheless take a toll on your health.
Alcohol however has its benefits if consumed moderately. Two servings per day can significantly increase your creativity while reducing the risk of you having diabetes. Taking too much can however have a negative effect.
These are some of the the organs affected when you take too much alcohol.
The Heart
Consuming small levels of alcohol can help to protect your heart because of polyphenols contained in alcohol which helps to increase High density Lipoproteins (“good” cholesterol) in your body. A recent study in the Journal ‘Alcohol’ however suggests that this may actually be of benefit to about 15 percent of the human race, who possess the genetic makeup that affects the levels of HDL.
Moreover, a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology says that consuming up to a litre of alcohol a day can increase the risk of atrial fibrillation (irregular and rapid heart beat) which increases the risk of you suffering from a stroke or heart failure.
The Brain
Alcohol does not actually destroy brain cells but it alters the amount of chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters. They control our moods, how we behave and perceive things. Alcohol also affects the cerebellum and cerebral cortex which control balance, coordination, thinking and memory respectively.
Moreover, a research study at the University of Michigan found that the area of the brain involved in fear and anger (amygdala) was less reactive to threatening situations and faces after a single drink. This explains why alcoholics are prone to taking risks while under the influence.
The Penis
According to a research published by Danish researchers in the British Medical Journal, Consuming as little as five bottles of alcohol a week can significantly reduce the percentage of spermatozoa and the overall sperm count. This was attributed to the impact of alcohol on the sex hormone testosterone. Taking a bottle of alcohol might be able to put you in the sexual mood but consuming anything more than that would negatively affect your sexual performance.
Indian researchers say about a quarter of men that are alcoholics possess at least one health issue related to their sexual life amongst which include erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation and low sex desire.
The Skin
Alcohol tends to affect the skin on your face by dilating the blood vessels there and making them liable to breakage. This is why alcoholics have bloodshot eyes after consumption. Furthermore, consumption of alcohol makes your heart pump more fluids to the tissues surrounding your face in an effort to balance out the blood vessels which makes your face appear bloated.
The Muscles
Irrespective of how much you visit the gym, you may not be able to build your muscles if you consume a lot of alcohol. According to a research published in the journal Sports Medicine, Alcohol Affects your hormones and also has an impact on inflammation of muscles during exercises which makes it strenuous for your body to repair damaged proteins and create new ones. This effect is made even worse when you consume alcohol after visiting the gym.
In conclusion, it is better to consume a balanced diet consisting of protein, carbohydrates, and non-alcoholic fluids into your system after exercising.
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