Uncovering the Myths Behind Drinking
Wine isn't necessarily good for you! Uncovering the top ten myths behind drinking
Many people believe that drinking baijiu is harmful to health, while drinking wine is beneficial, so it's fine to drink more. In fact, whether it's red wine or baijiu, the key is to control the amount consumed.
Myth 1: Mixing alcohol with drinks is fashionable
Nowadays, mixing alcohol with soft drinks has become a trend. Red wine with Sprite, whiskey with iced black tea, beer with cola... the "mix-and-match" combinations are endless. Because the alcohol is diluted, it feels like drinking a soft drink, so many people are fond of it.
But experts remind us that carbonated drinks, commonly used as mixers, release carbon dioxide gas in the stomach, which forces alcohol into the small intestine much faster. Since the small intestine absorbs alcohol much faster than the stomach, this increases the harm.
Additionally, while mixing drinks seems to dilute the alcohol, it often leads to drinking more. Because people start by feeling like they're just drinking a soft drink, they drink quickly. By the time they feel the effects of the alcohol, they've already had too much.
Myth 2: Baijiu is harmful, but wine is good for you
Many people believe that drinking baijiu is harmful to health, while drinking wine is beneficial, so it's fine to drink more. In fact, whether it's red wine or baijiu, the key is to control the amount consumed.
Experts point out that the weekly alcohol intake should be below 140 grams for men and 70 grams for women. Exceeding this number increases the risk of alcoholic liver disease. 140 grams of alcohol is equivalent to 3-4 liang (150-200g) of 50-degree baijiu. This means adult men should not drink more than 3-4 liang of 50-degree baijiu per week, while red wine should be limited to one or two liang per day.
Myth 3: A red face from drinking means you're not easily drunk
"People who turn red when drinking are not easily drunk," is a common phrase used to persuade others to drink at banquets. But in fact, drunkenness and the color of one's face are not closely related.
Some people believe that a flushed face, like the color of the warrior Guan Gong, is a good sign, indicating good blood circulation that quickly breaks down alcohol, making them less drunk. However, experts state that alcohol tolerance and face color are not directly related and vary from person to person. The real reason some think red-faced people are less drunk is that people usually persuade them to drink less. Plus, they often get sleepy after drinking and feel refreshed after a 15-30 minute nap. In contrast, those who don't flush often don't know their limits and drink excessively in a state of high excitement.
Myth 4: Using cured meats like bacon and sausage as bar snacks
Never drink on an empty stomach at gatherings. If you can't eat something beforehand, it's best to drink while eating. At the same time, avoid using salty fish, sausages, and bacon as bar snacks. These types of smoked and cured foods contain large amounts of pigments and nitrosamines, which react with alcohol, not only harming the liver but also damaging the oral and esophageal mucosa, and even inducing cancer.
To minimize the harm of alcohol to the stomach and liver, and to reduce the risk of fatty liver, it's best to eat something before drinking, such as a glass of milk, or some eggs and meat. These high-protein foods can bind with alcohol in the stomach, react with it, and reduce alcohol absorption.
Myth 5: "If the friendship is deep, take it all in one gulp"
Some people like to drink quickly, often persuading others with phrases like, "A deep friendship means a single gulp," or "Let's do one."
Actually, drinking speed should be slow, not fast. Fast drinking quickly raises blood alcohol concentration, leading to a quick state of drunkenness. If you drink slowly, your body has enough time to break down the ethanol, resulting in less ethanol produced and making you less likely to get drunk.
Myth 6: Cigarettes and alcohol go hand in hand
Some believe, "A cigarette with a glass of wine, a carefree life like a fairy's." Especially when the drinking is in full swing, if someone offers a cigarette, even those who don't usually smoke might say, "It's a special occasion," and accept it.
But in fact, smoking while drinking harms both the liver and the lungs. Nicotine in cigarettes weakens the effect of alcohol, creating a "numb" sensation that makes people unknowingly drink much more.
Myth 7: Only high-proof liquor has a kick
In daily life, some feel that low-proof liquor is just alcohol mixed with water and lacks punch, while high-proof liquor, mostly made from grain, is more satisfying and doesn't cause a hangover.
In fact, higher proof means higher alcohol content. Over 90% of alcohol is metabolized by the liver, so a large amount of alcohol加重 (加重加重) the liver's detoxification burden. The higher the proof and the greater the intake, the more severe the liver damage. Furthermore, breaking down alcohol in the liver requires various enzymes and vitamins. The higher the alcohol content, the more enzymes and vitamins the body consumes.
Myth 8: Quitting alcohol suddenly is harmful to your health
Many people are advised by their doctors to quit drinking for health reasons, but a large number of them fail to succeed, using the excuse that "quitting alcohol suddenly is actually bad for your health" to continue their drinking habits.
Experts point out that the idea that "quitting alcohol suddenly is harmful" actually refers to withdrawal symptoms. For people dependent on alcohol, sudden cessation can lead to symptoms like hand tremors, palpitations, convulsions, and vomiting. However, this is precisely when one should quit, not drink to alleviate the symptoms. Clinically, appropriate medications can effectively manage these withdrawal symptoms.
Myth 9: Inducing vomiting by sticking fingers down the throat when drunk
In daily social situations, many people's "secret" is to induce vomiting by sticking their fingers down their throat after drinking too much. They feel better afterward and can even continue drinking. But experts warn this is a "dangerous move."
Inducing vomiting should only be done when conscious or under medical supervision. A drunk person's awareness is impaired and can easily inhale vomit, leading to suffocation or even death. Secondly, severe vomiting increases intra-abdominal pressure, which can easily cause gastric bleeding and also cause duodenal contents to flow backward, triggering acute pancreatitis and other emergencies.
Myth 10: Strong tea or coffee can sober you up
Some believe that drinking strong tea or coffee after drinking alcohol has a "sobering up" effect, but this is a misconception.
After drinking alcohol, substances in tea like caffeine have a rapid diuretic effect, promoting acetaldehyde (a substance that is irritating to the kidneys) to enter the kidneys before it's broken down into acetic acid, thus damaging the kidneys. The main component of coffee is caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system and muscles. Drinking coffee after alcohol can shift the brain from extreme depression to extreme excitement, stimulate blood vessel dilation, and speed up blood circulation, greatly increasing the burden on the cardiovascular system. The damage to the body can be many times greater than from drinking alcohol alone, and it can even induce hypertension.