Beer and red wine are both popular alcoholic beverages that many people enjoy. Whether it's a gathering with friends and family or a business dinner, you can often find beer and red wine on the table. However, many people find that drinking beer or red wine alone is fine, but mixing the two can lead to getting drunk very quickly. Why is that?
This is because beer accelerates the absorption of alcohol.
Beer contains histamine. After beer is ingested into the stomach and small intestine, the histamine in the beer dilates the capillaries on the stomach and small intestine walls, which accelerates the absorption of alcohol and rapidly increases the concentration of ethanol in the blood.
Chlorogenic acid in beer has a neuroexcitatory effect, which can promote the secretion of gastric juice and bile, strengthen gastrointestinal motility, and promote the absorption of ethanol.
Unlike other alcoholic beverages, beer also contains carbon dioxide, which can stimulate the stomach wall, speed up gastric emptying, and force alcohol into the small intestine, thereby speeding up the absorption rate.
What are the other dangers of mixing different types of alcohol?
Increased risk of liver cancer
The risk of developing liver cancer from mixing alcoholic beverages is 6-10 times higher than from drinking a single type of alcohol.
Harm to the cardiovascular system
Mixing alcoholic beverages can more severely stimulate the nerves and blood vessels than drinking a single type, thereby increasing the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases.
Additionally, besides avoiding mixing beer with other alcoholic beverages, you should also avoid mixing it with carbonated drinks like Coke, Sprite, and soda water, as this will also promote alcohol absorption and lead to faster intoxication.