Drinking alcohol is harmful to the human body in many ways. While most people know that drinking on an empty stomach is more damaging, they may not realize that pairing alcohol with the wrong food can also be harmful. The editor here introduces several dishes you should never order when drinking.
Cured sausages and meats
While a bite of cured meat with a sip of baijiu may seem to have a lingering taste, it hides health risks. Smoked, cured, and pickled foods contain a significant amount of nitrosamines. The solubility of nitrosamines in alcohol is very high, which increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, and others.
Grilled meat and skewers
Grilled skewers with a few bottles of beer might be satisfying, but it's harmful to your body. Not only does grilling food cause a loss of nutrients like fat and protein, but it also easily produces carcinogens. Alcohol dilates the blood vessels in the digestive tract and damages the mucous membrane, making it easier for the body to absorb these carcinogenic substances.
Cold noodles and jelly noodles
Sour, spicy, and smooth cold noodles and jelly noodles are also popular choices for drinking. However, Fu Jinru, an honorary director of the Tianjin Nutrition Society, explains that alum is added during the processing of these foods. Alum has an astringent effect that slows blood flow, prolonging the time alcohol stays in the bloodstream and increasing its harm to health. Furthermore, both alum and alcohol need to be detoxified by the liver, so consuming them together加重 the liver's burden.
Raw fish sashimi
Raw fish sashimi, drunken shrimp, and other raw, cold seafood are major taboos when drinking. This is because fish and shellfish contain thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down and destroys vitamin B1. Thiaminase is only inactivated at temperatures of 60°C, so regularly consuming raw fish and shellfish can easily lead to a vitamin B1 deficiency. When drinking, alcohol interferes with the small intestine's absorption of vitamin B1. Therefore, consuming large amounts of alcohol while eating raw seafood will exacerbate the problem of vitamin B1 deficiency.