Alcohol is a depressant that can be found in alcoholic beverages. Its active psychoactive ingredient is ethanol (ethyl alcohol) that causes intoxication. These fermented carbohydrates are present in hard liquor, wine and beer.

Alcohol is readily absorbed by the body without going through the process of digestion. It reaches the brain in a minute and dramatically pressures the liver to metabolize it first thereby causing the alteration of liver cells. However, despite its harmful effects this legal drug is embraced by the cultural and societal standards because of its role in celebrations, festivities and lifestyles.

The following are the general effects of alcohol:
    Intoxication- this is one of the factors responsible for poor productivity in the workplace, road accidents, death and crimes.

    Health risks:

• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Depression
• High blood pressure
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and other health conditions in the unborn child
• Other health conditions

Alcoholism

This is characterized by tolerance and dependence. Tolerance refers to the necessity of increasing the alcohol dose from its usual amount to feel its effect. Dependence means that a person does not think of anything else except alcohol consumption, making it the essential focus of an alcoholic’s life.

Moderate drinking

Drinking moderately cannot cause serious damage to people. It is the habitual and excessive drinking that results to health complications.


Alcohol and Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolism disorder characterized by an elevated blood sugar level due to the inability of the pancreas to secrete the required amount of insulin. In case of normal insulin levels, diabetes also occurs due to the cells’ resistance to insulin. In this manner, the glucose flows into the bloodstream and pours out on the urine. The insulin is subsequently expelled from the body during urination. Consequently, the body is deprived of its glucose requirements.

There are two types of diabetes mellitus:

• Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) is a condition defined by the cessation of insulin production by the pancreas. It requires medication and synthetic insulin injection.
• Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) occurs when the cells of the body are resistant to insulin. Medication and strict dietary management are required to correct this condition.

The role of insulin in the body

Pancreas (large gland located behind the stomach) is responsible for the production of insulin, a hormone that is in control of the regulation of glucose in the blood. Glucose or simple sugar that supports cell growth and provides energy or fuel required by the body is obtained from our food intake. Once the food reaches the stomach, pancreas mechanically secretes insulin to transfer the glucose from the blood towards the human cells.

If the level of glucose is elevated, insulin begins the stimulation of liver cells and other cells in the muscles as well as fat cells to store the energy for future use. The stored glucose in the liver is called glycogen. Fats are converted to fatty acids, amino acids are turned into proteins and unmetabolized materials are not converted into glucose. This blood-glucose control mechanism of insulin protects the organs from the harmful effects of substances or chemicals from the food we eat. Additionally, it ensures that the body receives the right amount of energy and nutrients required for sustenance.

Insulin is a vital requirement for normal bodily functions. The brain depends on the glucose from the blood. Accordingly, a decrease of glucose levels or hypoglycemia may result to brain damage in the absence of prompt health intervention.

Effect of alcohol consumption to diabetics and non-diabetics

People with chronic alcoholism generally have deficient nutritional glucose intake. This results to the rapid consumption of glycogen stored in the liver. During alcohol metabolism, the glucose production is subdued. In the absence of glucose required to replenish the glycogen burned in the liver, severe hypoglycemia is likely to occur six hours after a binge-drinking incident. The alcoholic may experience hypoglycemia for a period of 36 hours thereafter.

For non-alcoholics, intake of alcohol can increase the secretion of insulin resulting to temporary decrease in blood sugar or hypoglycemia.

Alcoholism may decrease the body's reaction to insulin. This would result to glucose intolerance. This would explain why people with liver disease related to alcoholism have diabetes and glucose intolerance.

Good news to moderate drinkers

Research suggests that moderate alcohol consumption especially if taken with meal does not intensely affect the insulin production of non-insulin dependent diabetics (type 2).Consequently, it does not increase the risk of hypoglycemia. However, moderation is required since alcohol is shown to contain calories that would predispose a diabetic and non-diabetic to obesity and other health conditions.

Alcohol and Blood Pressure

Studies showed that beyond three drinks in one session will increase your blood pressure. This goes to show that chronic alcohol users suffer from unhealthy BP levels due to prolonged use. But how can alcohol produce such elevation?
We must maintain a natural pH balance of 7-7.5 by balancing our diet. Too much intake of alcohol can cause extreme damage to free radicals. The kidneys in turn flush out the acidic ash along with the helpful electrolytes like sodium and potassium.
Because kidneys are responsible for the regulation of blood pressure, putting pressure to it will likely result to hypertension. Additionally, sodium and potassium are also vital in the regulation of blood pressure. Consequently, being deficient in those two electrolytes will also result to the same condition.

Alcohol and Pregnancy

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a critical issue because of its deleterious effects on the unborn child.
The following are the effects of alcohol to the baby:

•     Malnutrition- alcohol blocks a baby's oxygen flow disrupting normal growth of brain cells and tissues.
•     Undersized jaw
•     Fetal Alcohol Syndrome- the baby develops FAS when the mother excessively drinks
•     Increased chance of intrauterine development retardation
•     Drooping eyelids
•     Neurobehavioral deficits
•     Facial abnormalities
•     Low birth weight
•     Deformed or absent fingers or toes
•     Poor hand and body coordination
•     Ribs and sternum deformities
•     Sunken nasal bridge
•     Small head
•     Deformed organs
•     Thin upper lip
•     Irritability and picky behaviors
•     Mental retardation
•     Learning disabilities due to short attention span
•     Cognitive problems
•     Hyperactivity

Any amount of alcohol that enters the mother’s bloodstream directly flows to the placenta. Therefore, zero-alcohol consumption is encouraged at least 3 weeks before the planned pregnancy until the baby’s delivery.

Low to moderate alcohol use has been promoted by some doctors because of the health benefits like cardio protection, reduced risks of osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions. However, due to the potential abuse of this substance and the ailments it causes, one should have a second thought about drinking even small amounts thereof.

So, next time you hold a bottle of alcoholic beverage, try to weigh the pros and cons of drinking it. Remember that it is better to stay away from alcohol than experience the withdrawal symptoms and the injurious effects of abusing the same.

Alcohol and breastfeeding

Breast milk is considered to be the best food for babies until two years of age so it is important to limit or avoid alcohol intake during this period. Studies also showed that the amount of alcohol that mixes with the breast milk is similar to the amount found in the drinker’s bloodstream. Compared to adults, the newborn can only eliminate half of what the former can excrete from the body. Since the use of breast pumps to discard breast milk will not speed up alcohol elimination, mothers should only breastfeed at least two hours after a moderate drink. Additionally, research showed that alcohol causes 20% decrease in milk production. Babies exposed to alcohol are also at risk of having alteration in sleep patterns and impaired motor development.

Low to moderate alcohol use has been promoted by some doctors because of the health benefits like cardio protection, reduced risks of osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions. However, due to the potential abuse of this substance and the ailments it causes, one should have a second thought about drinking even small amounts thereof.

So, next time you hold a bottle of alcoholic beverage, try to weigh the pros and cons of drinking it. Remember that it is better to stay away from alcohol than experience the withdrawal symptoms and the injurious effects of abusing the same.

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