It is not enough to know "your norm", you must be able to calculate it correctly, without being lost in the variety of drinks, their fortress and the size of the glasses. So that people can monitor how much they drink, in 1987 in the United Kingdom he introduced the concept of "unit", an alcohol unit. This method of accounts for alcohol was very convenient and has been taken into service in other countries of the world.
A alcohol unit is equal to 10 ml or 8 g of pure ethanol, which corresponds approximately to the alcohol volume, which the body of an average adult can process within an hour. In theory, this means that in an hour in the blood of an adult there will be almost no traces of alcohol, although individuals have the alcohol elimination rate from the body can vary.
In accordance with the above, there are standard of alcohol allowed, the excess of which is dangerous for health. This:
- no more than 3-4 alcohol units per day for men;
- No more than 2-3 alcohol units per day for women.
It should be noted that this refers not to the average consumption of alcohol in a few days, i. e. the maximum allowed quantity of alcohol in one day.
At the same time, the number of strong drinks should not exceed a week:
- for women - 14 units;
- For men - 21 units.
If the day before you drank an excessive amount of alcohol, refrain from alcohol in the following 48 hours.
From units to "drin"
The number of alcohol units in the drink depends on the fortress and the volume of the drunk. AS:
- A glass of wine (250 ml) of a fortress of 12% contains about 3 alcohol units;
- Bank of Beer (1 l) of the fortress 5% contains about 4 alcohol units;
- A pile of vodka (25 ml) of the fortress 40% contains about 1 alcohol units.
Therefore, the daily rule allowed, on average, is:
- a glass of wine for dinner;
- about half a liter of beer of a normal fortress;
- 2-3 small vodka stacks.
For lovers of exotic alcoholic beverages and cocktails, the formula will be useful with which you can calculate the number of units in any volume of various drinks:
- Fortress (%) x volume (ml) ÷ 1000 = alcohol unit.
How to reduce damage from alcohol?
Once in the body, alcohol is absorbed in the stomach and therefore with a blood flow of blood spreads through the body, entering easily in all tissues and organs. The maximum concentration of alcohol in the blood is observed about an hour after its use, this is the time of the strongest and euphoria intoxication. Subsequently, alcohol enters the processing.
In the first phase, a water molecule detaches itself from the Eanol and is a vinegar aldehyde. This is a poison for the body, the subsequent hangover and intoxication are associated with it. In the second phase, aldehyde turns into acetic acid, which is not toxic and destroyed into carbon dioxide and water with energy. Two enzymes are controlled by alcohol splitting processes: alcohol dehydroroginase (ADG) and acetaldehydogrogenis (ALDG). The speed of their work is an innate genetic feature.
In a person with fast ADG and ALDG, alcohol in the body does not dwell and the aldehyde quickly breaks into harmless substances. Such a man is slowly drunk and does not suffer from a strong hangover. Speaking of people with slow enzymes, they say they don't know how to drink: they quickly reach the crazy state, which is replaced by a serious hangover. But the worst of all those who have fast and slow Aldg ADG. These people do not get drunk for a long time, managing to drink more than the placed and the rapid vinegar links into the body in the body, having a harmful effect.
Consequently, the strength of the intoxication and subsequent poisoning depends, in general, only on the amount of drunk and inheritance. However, there are tricks that allow you to slightly reduce the damage of alcohol. To do this, slow down the absorption of alcohol from the stomach or reduce the amount of alcohol "from the collar".
- Alcohol espionage (beer, champagne) cannot be mixed with strong drinks. The carbon dioxide of the "magic bubbles" accelerates the absorption of alcohol and increases its concentration in the blood, therefore the severity of the postmates of a hangover.
- Hot alcohol (punch, grog) and fortified wines must be moderately drunk for the soul. Sugar and high temperature accelerate the flow of alcohol in the blood and the formation of acetaldehyde.
- Before and during the party, you have to eat well, in particular fatty foods. In this case, the assimilation of alcohol will be slowed down and its damage is reduced to the minimum possible. Alcohol on an empty stomach can lead not only to rapid intoxication, but also to dangerous hypoglycaemia.
- Remove the time between the toasts and drink a small volume from batteries and glasses to reduce the concentration of alcohol in the blood.
- Don't drink aspirin before and during a party. Acetylsalicylic acid slows down alcohol absorption, but cause ulcerative damage to the stomach and increases the risk of bleeding.
- Caffeine extends the period of activity at the table, but in combination with alcohol, it can lead to the development of hypertensive crises and cardiac arrhythmia.
If you often have to drink alcohol, it is useful to make a biochemical test of the blood 2-3 times a year and visit the therapist. To protect the liver and the brain from the effects of alcohol, an intake of hepatoprotectors and vitamin preparations as prescribed by a doctor is recommended.
Do I have to drink "for health"?
Contrary to the widespread opinion, at the moment there is no convincing evidence that moderate quantities of alcohol went to the benefit of the heart and clean the ships. There is also no evidence that any alcoholic drink has advantages compared to others, in terms of influence on the cardiovascular system.
Therefore, you shouldn't drink alcohol with a "therapeutic" goal of those who do not have such habit. The use of small and moderate alcohol doses is not a prevention of cardiovascular diseases.