Some people say: "O alcohol, you are an intoxicating elixir, and you are also a poisonous poison that harms people." Others joked: "The small wine glass has drowned far more people than the vast ocean!" As the year-end approaches, how can one drink alcohol with less harm to the body?
Data shows that in recent years, the number of alcohol drinkers in China has been on a continuous rise, currently exceeding 500 million people. Among them, nearly 40% drink alcohol more than once a day, and the country consumes about 30 billion kilograms of alcohol annually. A survey released by the former National Health and Family Planning Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the National Bureau of Statistics of China showed that the drinking rate among Chinese women has increased by about 73% compared to the early 1990s. Calculated this way, the number of people nationwide who truly abstain from alcohol may be less than 200 million, while the number of people who have consumed baijiu, beer, and other alcoholic beverages is no less than 800 million.
Drink in Moderation
The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided safe drinking limits to prevent alcohol dependence: for men, the daily alcohol intake should not exceed 1 liang of baijiu, and for women, it should not exceed 1 bottle of beer, with at least two alcohol-free days per week. Some experts suggest that men's daily alcohol intake should not exceed 4 units, and women's should not exceed 3 units. How to calculate alcohol units? You can use the alcohol concentration indicated on the bottle (only the number) multiplied by the amount consumed (in liters). For example, for Beijing Erguotou with a 42% alcohol concentration, to keep the daily alcohol intake under 4 units, the amount consumed should not exceed 0.095 liters, which is equivalent to 15 ml small wine cups, no more than 7 cups. The above standards are actually for preventing alcohol dependence and do not mean that other health problems will not occur. Therefore, people with chronic diseases must坚决ly quit drinking, and even healthy people should drink in moderation.
It is acceptable to drink appropriately to enhance the fun during festive occasions or when visiting relatives and friends, but do not "for a deep friendship, down it in one gulp" or "keep drinking small amounts every day until you're drunk every day," ending up completely drunk and causing trouble from alcohol. People with respiratory diseases, liver and kidney diseases, hyperacidity, stomach or duodenal ulcers, epilepsy, senile dementia, etc., should try to avoid alcohol. People engaged in occupations such as driving or working at heights should drink with caution or not at all.
How to Drink Alcohol with Less Harm to the Body
Before and after drinking, eat staple foods, and consume dishes (especially vegetables) while drinking. After drinking, eat some fruits like bananas, apples, pears, citrus, tomatoes, watermelon, and cantaloupe. These fructose-rich foods can accelerate the metabolism of alcohol and have the effect of sobering up.
Baijiu is best consumed after being heated to 40°C~50°C. Secondly, do not drink mixed types of alcohol (for example, it is not advisable to mix fruit wine with baijiu). Additionally, drink warm water continuously and urinate frequently, and do not drink excessive strong tea after drinking.
If you have a significant headache after drinking, you can drink honey to relieve it. According to research by American scientists, honey contains a fructose found in few fruits, which can promote the decomposition and absorption of alcohol. As for how to consume it, you don't need to drink pure honey; just eat a few pieces of honey cookies or bread before or after drinking.
Special reminder: If it is severe intoxication, while sobering up, the person should be sent to the hospital for medical treatment as soon as possible.