Ending the day with a small drink can be relaxing. But what are the effects of alcohol on the person? Are they all harmful? Or does alcohol have any good effects on the body?
There have been some studies done which suggests that drinking alcohol in moderation can raise your good cholesterol level. The good cholesterol or HDL helps to reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes.
However, excessive intakes can have detrimental effects on your health.
Alcohol dilates the blood vessel in the skin. Every time you have a drink, the blood vessels will dilate and remain permanently dilated until they lose their tone.
Excessive drinking will lead to the development of telangiectasias or chronic dilation of the capillaries and a permanent flush on the face.
Alcohol also worsens acne rosacea, a skin disorders that is characterized by redness, flushing, pusheads and pimply bumps and telangiectasias.
Alcohol also depletes the body of vitamin A, an important anti-oxidant.
In summary, the effects of alcohol on the skin are:
Causes broken capillaries
Aggravates acne rosacea
Causes malnutrition
Causes craving and loss of control and affects personal grooming and skin care
What are the other hazards and effects of alcohol?
PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
Liver: hepatitis (inflammation)
Liver: cirrhosis (liver hardening)
Brain: memory loss, hallucinations, fits, confusion and loss of intellectual ability
Stomach: heartburn, gastritis (inflammation), ulcers and bleeding, cancer
Obesity: alcohol supplies calories
Mouth, throat and oesophageal (gullet) cancers
Pancreas: pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Heart: damage to heart muscles and heart failure
Reproduction: impotence and infertility in pregnant women. It may cause retardation, stunted growth and behavioural problems in the child.
Malnutrition: alcohol robs the body of B vitamins
Osteoporosis: thinning of the bones
Nerves: cramps, tingling and weakness
Addiction: delirium tremens (“shakes”) and fits
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL
Affects the mood There is initial euphoria and aggression, then anxiety, panic attacks and depression
Affects the intellect It impedes the person’s sense of judgment, leads to poor memory and loss of inhibitions. The consequence is antisocial and dangerous conduct.
Affects the co-ordination Poor co-ordination results in increased risk of accidents.
Psychiatric problems There is increase in risk of suicide, paranoia, morbid jealousy, sexual problems and hallucinations.
Addiction There is a dependence on alcohol leading to craving and loss of self-control.
The detrimental effects of alcohol more than outweigh its health potential.
IF YOU DON’T DRINK, IT IS BETTER NOT TO START
IF YOU DO DRINK, DO SO IN MODERATION
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