Most people know that drinking alcohol harms the liver, but few know that the more you drink, the more fragile your bones become. A survey in the United States found that long-term heavy drinking is a major cause of osteoporosis in men.
Why does excessive drinking lead to osteoporosis?
When the body has an excessive amount of alcohol, it inhibits the normal metabolism of bone cells. The bone that is broken down is greater than the bone that is formed, leading to a loss of bone mass, which gradually results in osteoporosis. Furthermore, the suppression of bone cell activity in drinkers interferes with the absorption and utilization of calcium and magnesium, which is also an important factor in inducing and worsening osteoporosis.
Even if you must drink, control your alcohol intake
For non-drinkers, there is no need to force yourself to drink. For those who drink regularly, the amount of alcohol should be controlled to no more than two drinks per day. It is particularly important to note that this recommended amount is not fixed, as each person's alcohol tolerance is different, and women should drink less than men.
Drink some milk before drinking
Before drinking, it is essential to protect the liver and gastric mucosa. Drinking on an empty stomach leaves the stomach and liver unprotected, which is extremely harmful to the body and also makes it easier to get drunk. The best preventive measure is to drink some milk before you start, to prevent alcohol from penetrating the stomach wall.
Pair alcohol with food and replenish fluids while drinking
During the process of drinking, attention should be paid to food pairing. More and more people like to eat greasy foods, such as barbecue or fried foods, while drinking, which is actually detrimental to health. Protein and vitamins are essential nutrients for maintaining liver health. Therefore, when drinking, one should pair it more with foods like fish, soy products, vegetables, and fruits to promote alcohol metabolism and liver cell regeneration.
In addition, replenishing fluids while drinking is also very important. Although alcoholic beverages are essentially water, alcohol has a diuretic effect, which can easily lead to dehydration from excessive urination and cause post-drinking dehydration symptoms. Therefore, it is also important to supplement fluids while drinking.